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Full-Text Articles in Other Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration

Quality Management In Vietnam: Building A National Iso 9001 System, Russell Gasser Apr 2015

Quality Management In Vietnam: Building A National Iso 9001 System, Russell Gasser

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Vietnam’s pilot quality management (QM) project in Ha Tinh province has proven successful in its implementation of the international QM standard ISO 9001. The next step for GICHD and partners will be to support Vietnam in establishing ISO 9001 QM on a national scale.


Do No Harm In Mine Action: Why The Environment Matters, Ursin Hoffman, Pascal Rapillard Apr 2015

Do No Harm In Mine Action: Why The Environment Matters, Ursin Hoffman, Pascal Rapillard

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Explosive remnants of war negatively impact the environment and some clearance methods used by mine action organizations can potentially lead to environmental degradation. Mine action organizations need to consider the negative impact potential of their operations and adopt mitigation measures to ensure they do no harm.


Erw Contamination In The Pacific Islands, Justin Smith Nov 2014

Erw Contamination In The Pacific Islands, Justin Smith

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The legacy of explosive remnants of war (ERW) has affected the daily lives of Pacific Islanders for more than 70 years. ERW contamination in the Pacific stems from conflict between the Allied forces and Japanese forces during World War II. Survey, clearance and information-management programs are helping to manage the continued risks to the impacted populations.


Gichd Linguistic Outreach Programs, Faiz Paktian Nov 2014

Gichd Linguistic Outreach Programs, Faiz Paktian

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) introduced linguistic outreach programs (LOP) to provide mine action training and information in multiple languages. The LOP also promote communication between countries and organize regional workshops and meetings. By providing non-English training and information exchange opportunities, GICHD improved outreach and broadened potential beneficiaries, as well as strengthened mine action centers and organizations worldwide.


Humanitarian And Developmental Impact Of Anti-Vehicle Mines, Pascal Rapillard, Maryam Walton Nov 2014

Humanitarian And Developmental Impact Of Anti-Vehicle Mines, Pascal Rapillard, Maryam Walton

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Anti-vehicle mines negatively impact humanitarian efforts and developmental progress. Key findings from a South Sudan case study show that mine contamination impacts humanitarian efforts directly through casualties, while dangers of agricultural development and hindrance to foreign investment are also primary developmental concerns for the South Sudanese.


Amendments To The Imas Land Release Series, Helen Gray Apr 2014

Amendments To The Imas Land Release Series, Helen Gray

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) review board formally endorsed amendments to the Land Release IMAS in April 2013 that clarify and standardize the language and practices in the series.


Managing Residual Clearance: Learning From Europe’S Past, Samuel Paunila Apr 2014

Managing Residual Clearance: Learning From Europe’S Past, Samuel Paunila

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Lessons learned from residual clearance in post-1945 Europe may apply to long-term clearance efforts after more recent conflicts.


Machine-Integrated Magnetic Collector Design And Testing, Erik De Brun, Stephan Ahnert Apr 2014

Machine-Integrated Magnetic Collector Design And Testing, Erik De Brun, Stephan Ahnert

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining led a test program to evaluate a machine-integrated magnetic collection system. Promising results suggest it could speed up manual follow-up activities and provide valuable data during technical survey operations.


Nama: A Gis-Based Network-Analysis Approach For Mine Action, Pierre Lacroix, Rocío Escobar, Olivier Cottray, Pable De Roulet Oct 2013

Nama: A Gis-Based Network-Analysis Approach For Mine Action, Pierre Lacroix, Rocío Escobar, Olivier Cottray, Pable De Roulet

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

To demonstrate the potential of geographic information system (GIS) network-analysis tools in mine action, a hypothetical case study uses these tools to examine the distance survivors of mine incidents must travel for medical and rehabilitative care in one region in Colombia and suggests a location for a new facility.


The New Imsma And Victim Assistance, Angela Desantis, Daniel Eriksson Oct 2013

The New Imsma And Victim Assistance, Angela Desantis, Daniel Eriksson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A new update to the Information Management System for Mine Action will include a victim assistance module, which will facilitate the monitoring and tracking of the access of victims to their rights and the accountability of the assistance process.


Miniature Aerial Photography Planes In Mine Action, Inna Cruz, Daniel Eriksson Oct 2013

Miniature Aerial Photography Planes In Mine Action, Inna Cruz, Daniel Eriksson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining analyzed the benefits, potential uses and cost efficiency of miniature aerial photography planes for use in mine action.


Assessment Of Vietnam’S National Mine Action Program, Ted Paterson, Thao Griffiths Jul 2013

Assessment Of Vietnam’S National Mine Action Program, Ted Paterson, Thao Griffiths

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A December 2012 assessment conducted by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining and the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation found that despite Vietnam’s well-received mine action program reform efforts, various factors, including economic and bureaucratic challenges, continue hindering progress.


In Remembrance: Lawal Johnson, Cisr Journal Apr 2013

In Remembrance: Lawal Johnson, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

With great sadness, Novetta Solutions announces the unexpected death of Lawal Johnson, who died 2 January 2013.


A Review Of External Post-Clearance Inspection: How Cost-Effective Is It?, Åsa Gilbert, Aron Larsson Apr 2013

A Review Of External Post-Clearance Inspection: How Cost-Effective Is It?, Åsa Gilbert, Aron Larsson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining conducted a study in early 2012 to consider the effectiveness of performing external post-clearance inspections. GICHD took into account the practices of the International Mine Action Standards, the International Organization for Standardization and the numerous mine action programs worldwide. It also worked with the Swedish company Preference Consulting to determine the mathematical probability of finding a mine/explosive remnant of war during external post-clearance inspections. Lastly, GICHD examined the normative effect of external post-clearance inspections as well as the financial cost associated with their execution.


Legal Aspects Of The Land Release Process, Pehr Lodhammar Apr 2013

Legal Aspects Of The Land Release Process, Pehr Lodhammar

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article explores areas of liability in mine action operations. It defines the concept of residual risk after completion of survey and clearance efforts and presents methods of assigning responsibility for it. The author offers further legal considerations in mine action, including the extent to which contractors are liable for their equipment, employees and the cleared land both during and after operations as well as the process by which national mine action standards are incorporated into the legal liability of all concerned actors.


Relationship Between Imas, Nmas And Sops, Faiz Paktian Oct 2012

Relationship Between Imas, Nmas And Sops, Faiz Paktian

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

To avoid confusion in application, this article clarifies the roles and responsibilities of mine action entities in relation to International Mine Action Standards, National Mine Action Standards and Standard Operating Procedures


Priority-Setting In Mine Action: Getting More Value For The Investment, Albert Souza Mülli, Ted Paterson Jul 2012

Priority-Setting In Mine Action: Getting More Value For The Investment, Albert Souza Mülli, Ted Paterson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article presents an overview of the main elements and key challenges involved in implementing sound national prioritization systems in mine-action programs. Since all mine/explosive remnants of war-affected countries are different, the article does not provide a standard blueprint; rather, it introduces the basic principles, components and considerations involved in prioritization. This will be valuable when implementing and designing priority-setting systems that cater to national and local contexts in each mine-/ERW-affected country.


The Role Of Mine Action In Curbing The Small Arms Threat, Albert Souza Mülli, Sharmala Naidoo Jul 2012

The Role Of Mine Action In Curbing The Small Arms Threat, Albert Souza Mülli, Sharmala Naidoo

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article’s purpose is to share concrete examples of how mine-action organizations are playing an increasingly visible role in curbing the threat of small arms and armed violence more broadly, and to examine the reasons behind this trend.


The Gichd Tool For Management Of Mechanical Demining Operations, Pehr Lodhammar, Erik De Brun Jul 2012

The Gichd Tool For Management Of Mechanical Demining Operations, Pehr Lodhammar, Erik De Brun

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In response to a need for an operational management tool for the mechanical demining community, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining developed a system called the Management Tool for Mechanical Demining Operations. This system increases the efficiency of mine-clearance operations by using a database that organizes and creates data reports. GICHD is working to improve the system including the addition of a GPS tool in 2012.


Geneva International Centre For Humanitarian Demining, Cisr Journal Mar 2012

Geneva International Centre For Humanitarian Demining, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining’s mission is to serve as a leading center of mine-action excellence, and to help States Parties implement the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (also known as the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention or APMBC), the Convention on Cluster Munitions and other relevant instruments of humanitarian law. GICHD bridges the gaps between research, lessons learned and practice. It promotes evidence-based policies and develops standards, making mine action faster, cheaper, safer, more effective, sustainable and inclusive.


Survey And Clearance Of Unexploded Submunitions Versus Landmines And Other Erw, Åsa Gilbert, Michael Creighton Oct 2011

Survey And Clearance Of Unexploded Submunitions Versus Landmines And Other Erw, Åsa Gilbert, Michael Creighton

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The authors argue that survey and clearance methods in areas contaminated solely by unexploded submunitions (from cluster munitions) should be different than those in areas contaminated by mines and other explosive remnants of war to achieve the most efficient outcome. This article seeks to explain how and why procedures are different, and proposes a land-release methodology for dealing with unexploded submunitions.


Modifying Imsma Training: The Mine Action Information Management Qualification Scheme, Aurora Martinez, Daniel Eriksson Jul 2011

Modifying Imsma Training: The Mine Action Information Management Qualification Scheme, Aurora Martinez, Daniel Eriksson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Mine Action Information Management Qualification Scheme (MIQ) is a new training tool for the Information Management System for Mine Action. It was created in response to the Next Generation version of IMSMA, the newest version of the system. The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining eliminated the rigid and unnecessary parts of the training-system in order to make MIQ more user-friendly. The MIQ scheme is currently being incorporated into several countries’ information-management programs, but it could still use input as it is being refined and implemented.


Information-Management Activities At The Gichd, Daniel Eriksson Jul 2011

Information-Management Activities At The Gichd, Daniel Eriksson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Two years have passed since a new strategy was adopted for the information-management section at the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining. A significant amount of work was completed since then, and the support and quality of the Information Management System for Mine Action has improved. The new focus on information management in a broader sense, not just limited to databases and software, has enabled country programs to collect relevant information for more effective demining operations. Although much work remains, a few key developments deserve mentioning.


Mapping Populations At Risk Of Erw, Pierre Lacroix, Jonas Herzog, Daniel Eriksson Jul 2011

Mapping Populations At Risk Of Erw, Pierre Lacroix, Jonas Herzog, Daniel Eriksson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Having precise, available data on recorded explosive remnants of war hazards does not necessarily represent the big picture concerning the contamination distribution in a country. However, when available datasets are evaluated with population-density data, heavy concentrations of ERW hazards are more easily detectable. This article examines a few of the many tasks that can be achieved by analyzing ERW hazard data and by combining it with other information.


Gichd Wins Making A Difference Award, News Brief Jul 2011

Gichd Wins Making A Difference Award, News Brief

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In July 2011, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining was presented with a prestigious, geographic industry award for its work in developing and implementing the Information Management System for Mine Action.


Humanitarian Disarmament, Pascal Rapillard Jul 2011

Humanitarian Disarmament, Pascal Rapillard

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article examines the evolution of international humanitarian law, specifically as it relates to the conventions banning or restricting conventional weapons. The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction and the Convention on Cluster Munitions are discussed here, as they form a distinctive type of disarmament—humanitarian disarmament.


Land Rights In Mine-Affected Countries, Jon Unruh, Gabrielle Chaizy, Sharmala Naidoo Jul 2011

Land Rights In Mine-Affected Countries, Jon Unruh, Gabrielle Chaizy, Sharmala Naidoo

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Land rights in conflict and post-conflict environments is an increasing area of concern within humanitarian and development communities. When conflicts end, land rights may be threatened, especially for women, subsistence farmers and other marginalized populations. Secure land rights are, therefore, a critical issue for humanitarian response, sustainable peace-building and longer-term economic recovery, particularly in countries where agriculture is key to livelihoods. While mine-action activities such as priority-setting, survey and clearance bring mine-action organizations into direct contact with land-rights issues, most tend to avoid these issues. This article looks at how mine-action organizations can better address land issues.


Land-Release Information Management: Advocating For A Collaborative Approach, Aurora Martinez, Daniel Eriksson Jul 2011

Land-Release Information Management: Advocating For A Collaborative Approach, Aurora Martinez, Daniel Eriksson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

For land release to become more efficient and less dangerous, operations on the ground need accurate information. Collaboration between information management and operational planning will help increase safety while working toward releasing more land. The most challenging aspect of land release is the identification of boundaries around contaminated areas, and using new information technologies will aid not only operation managers in the area, but also senior managers setting long-term goals.


The Effect Of Reinforcement Rate Variations On Hits And False Alarms In Remote Explosive Scent Tracing With Dogs, Rebecca Sargisson, Ian Mclean Oct 2010

The Effect Of Reinforcement Rate Variations On Hits And False Alarms In Remote Explosive Scent Tracing With Dogs, Rebecca Sargisson, Ian Mclean

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Detection animals offer untapped potential in terms of locating landmines and explosive ordnance in the field and in the laboratory. In this study, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining investigated the effect of low, medium, and high levels of reward on the performance of six dogs searching filters for explosive odor.


Mine-Action Funding: Gichd Survey Of Donor Countries, Jean Devlin, Sharmala Naidoo Oct 2010

Mine-Action Funding: Gichd Survey Of Donor Countries, Jean Devlin, Sharmala Naidoo

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A recent survey of donors conducted by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining found that, while short-term donor support remains strong, levels of funding may decrease and become more unpredictable over the coming years.