Peace and Conflict Studies Commons^™

Sourcebook On Socio-Economic Survey, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

The Sourcebook features many types of socio-economic surveys that have been used to inform mine clearance, victim assistance, risk education and development activities. These surveys form a rich body of practice that can inspire mine action practitioners to implement field surveys that improve their planning, priority-setting and reporting on results achieved.

11th Meeting Of The States Parties To The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (2011), Apmbc

Global CWD Repository

The 11MSP was a formal meeting of the 158 States which, as of 28 November 2011, had accepted the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction. It was held in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention and pursuant to the decisions of the 2009 Second Review Conference and the 2010 Tenth Meeting of the States Parties (10MSP).

The 11MSP was particularly significant because the Convention returned to a place where it the anti-landmine movement started two decades ago. As such, the 11MSP was a chance for the …

Reintegrating And Employing High Risk Youth In Liberia: Lessons From A Randomized Evaluation Of A Landmine Action An Agricultural Training Program For Ex-Combatants, Christopher Blattman, Jeannie Annan

Global CWD Repository

Following the 2011 elections, one of the most pressing challenges for the President, government ministries and international organizations will be boosting youth incomes and employment, especially that of high-risk youth. What kinds of programs can boost employment and incomes and reduce the risk of social instability? This report details findings from an impact evaluation of a reintegration and agricultural livelihoods program for high-risk Libe-rian youth, and draws out lessons for employment policies in 2012 and beyond. This report builds on recent IPA studies of rural conflict resolution and civic education programs, and analysis of conflict trends and patterns in Liberia. …

Thailand And Compliance With The Apmbc: Mission Impossible... Or A Feasible Task?, Håvard Bach

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article addresses the mine-action challenges Thailand faces in maintaining compliance with the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. Given the uncertainty of mine locations and the Thailand Mine Action Centre’s limited capacity, the delegation of Thailand’s mine-action resources can be an issue, as hazardous areas can be difficult to determine. The emergence of a new national land-release mineaction standard, however, means that Thailand’s ability to efficiently identify hazardous areas will allow limited resources to be appropriately assigned to areas needing clearance.

Conflict Resolution In The Twenty-First Century: Principles, Methods, And Approaches, Book Review

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In Conflict Resolution in the Twenty-first Century: Principles, Methods, and Approaches, Bercovitch and Jackson create an accessible and well-organized analysis of the best approaches to resolving conflicts in the world today.

Peacebuilding And Rule Of Law In Africa: Just Peace?, Book Review

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In Peacebuilding and Rule of Law in Africa: Just Peace?, terms such as peacebuilding and rule of law, which initially seem broad and sometimes ambiguous, are broken down by a variety of scholars from different fields to cite specific examples of trial and error in both processes within the African context.

The Second Meeting Of States Parties To The Convention On Cluster Munitions (2011), Ccm

Global CWD Repository

The Second Meeting of States Parties (2MSP) took place in Beirut, Lebanon, from 13 to 16 September 2011 and gathered more than 1,000 delegates from 52 States Parties, 38 signatories States, 41 observers and 15 international organizations (see list below).

The 2MSP was opened by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, President of the 1MSP to the CCM, Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith. During the first plenary meeting, the meeting elected by acclamation Dr. Adnan Mansour, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of the Republic of Lebanon, as President of the 2MSP to …

Victim-Assistance History In International Humanitarian Law: From Somalia To Geneva To Laos, Ken Rutherford

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In the following article, Ken Rutherford, Director of JMU’s Center for International Stabilization and Recovery and a landmine survivor, examines how victim assistance has changed and argues that while victim assistance is a more integral element of mine action today than ever before, there is yet room to move forward.

Paved With Good Intentions: The Realities Of “Safe” Versus “Free”, Roger West

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Government-initiated landmine and unexploded ordnance clearance policies often dictate unrealistic standards and goals that differ from the practical reality of landmine/UXO removal. The end use of the land, as well as the variables of munitions deterioration due to aging and environment, and the level of expected risk should be considered in landmine/UXO policy-making.

Landmine Victim Or Landmine Survivor: What Is In A Name?, Melanie Reimer, Teresa Broers

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

victims by some and landmine survivors by others. Their view of self, as well as the perspectives of their families, communities and that of aid agencies, toward the terms ‘victim’ or ‘survivor’, may significantly affect their recovery and their ability to reintegrate into their communities. We will present a summary of the literature addressing the victim/survivor continuum, as well as the different vantage points of using victim-versus-survivor terminology and the potential influence this language has in shaping injured individuals’ recovery./p>

The Database Of Demining Accidents: A Driving Force In Hma, Andy Smith

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article evaluates the need for a centralized accident-report database within the field of humanitarian mine action. The author argues that the failure to report accidents by on-site personnel can inadvertently lead to otherwise avoidable accidents where similar events occur. The author highlights the benefits that the database has provided for the community and makes several recommendations on how to further reduce severe injury within the industry.

Information Quality Management In Mine Action, Armen Harutyunyan

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Data management is a vital component of mine-action operations. Mismanagement of data originates in the field and often leads to unorganized operations and additional costs. A refocus on data-management guidelines and methodologies will result in better quality data management throughout the field.

We Can Only Be “Mine-Safe” When We Are “Mine-Free”, Tamar Gabelnick

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Despite the fact that the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction makes no mention of the term “mine-safe,” it is still a frequent term used by mine-contaminated states. However, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines maintains that in order for states to be safe from the dangers posed by mines, all mined areas must be cleared—not only those areas which are deemed to pose an immediate threat.

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.

Tucker’S Story: Dca’S Trustworthy Man In The Field, Tamar Szeps-Znaider

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article offers a brief glimpse into the path of an Angolan deminer who, over the years, has developed into a known figure within the international mine action community. Quickly rising through positions of responsibility, Tucker demonstrates qualities of leadership, and his success is a testament to his work ethic and dedication.

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.

To Walk The Earth In Safety 10th Edition (Fy2010), Us Dos Pm/Wra

Global CWD Repository

Welcome to the 10th edition of To Walk The Earth In Safety. Our annual report details the United States’ Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) Program, a collaborative effort by the Department of State, Department of Defense, United States Agency for International Development, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the Department of Health and Human Services. These agencies strive to help countries recover from conflict and create safe, secure environments to rebuild infrastructure, return displaced citizens to their homes and livelihoods, and establish situations conducive to stability, nonviolence, and democracy.

From its initial focus on landmines dating back to …

Understanding Mine Clearance In The Context Of The Ap Mine Ban Convention, Apmbc

Global CWD Repository

The Convention's parties, with the support of a wide range of organisations, have made great progress in the pursuit of their aim of clearing all mined areas. There is an ongoing need, however, to ensure that all actors involved in the implementation of the Convention are clear regarding what “Article 5” obliges States to do and what it does not, what the understandings of the States Parties are concerning the implementation of Article 5, and what the mechanisms put in place related to fulfilment of Article 5 are. To assist in meeting this need, the ISU, with project funding provided …

Assisting Landmine And Other Erw Survivors In The Context Of Disarmament, Disability And Development, Apmbc

Global CWD Repository

A decade of deliberations on the problems caused by conventional weapons has resulted in various international legal instruments. Based on the precedents established through more than a decade of efforts to implement the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, there is consistency amongst these instruments. Different legal instruments, but with a uniform approach as concerns assisting victims and survivors of landmines and other explosive remnants of war, present certain opportunities. These opportunities concern ensuring coherence, closer cooperation and efficiency, ultimately with a view to achieving the greatest impact on the ground in affected communities. Taking advantage of these opportunities means enhancing the …

Mine Action And Development: Why Should We Become Mad About It?, Humanity And Inclusion

Global CWD Repository

There is no right way or wrong way to use this position paper. It sets out the background and reasoning about the advantages of linking mine action and development that led to the four-year pilot project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and goes into detail on some of the sources of information that were used in the development of the concepts behind the pilot project.

Down To Earth: A Practical Guide For Mine Action And Development Interventions, M Carrier

Global CWD Repository

The purpose of this guide is to provide practical guidance for both mine action and development practitioners that wish to empower mine-affected populations to overcome poverty and participate more equally on socio-economic and political grounds in society.

This guide is intended for use by both mine action and development stakeholders that are interested in applying a development approach to complement existing mine action interventions.

Landmine And Land Rights In Conflict Affected Contexts, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This policy brief describes the important linkages between land rights and landmines in conflict-affected contexts. Its purpose is to deepen awareness within the broader mine action and development communities about these linkages, and provide guidance on how to effectively mainstream land rights issues into mine action operations.

Landmines And Land Rights In Conflict Affected Contexts, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Land rights in conflict and post-conflict contexts are an increasing area of concern within the humanitarian and development communities. Conflict can often result in dramatic changes to a country's land tenure regime and administration. Even when conflicts end, land rights may be threatened, especially for women, Internally Displaced People (IDPs), returning refugees, migrants and farm labourers. Secure land rights are, therefore, a critical issue for humanitarian response, sustainable peace-building and longer-term economic recovery, particularly in countries where a significant proportion of the population relies on agriculture as their main source of livelihood. The situation can be even more complex in …

The First Meeting Of States Parties To The Convention On Cluster Munitions (2010), Ccm

Global CWD Repository

The First Meeting of States Parties (1MSP) took place in Vientiane, Lao PDR, from 9 to 12 November 2010 and gathered some 1,200 delegates from 40 State Parties, 47 signatory States, 34 observer States and 20 international organizations (see list below).

The meeting was opened by Ambassador Gerard Corr of Ireland, Chairperson of the preparatory meeting for the 1MSP. During the first plenary meeting, the meeting confirmed by acclamation Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, as President of the 1MSP to the CCM.

National Mine Action Strategy Cambodia (2010-2019), Gichd

Global CWD Repository

The National Mine Action Strategy (NMAS) 2010-2019 responds to the challenges the RGC needs to address in order to promote development and provide security to Cambodian citizens. It builds on previous mine action strategies, as well as on the knowledge and experience that Cambodia has acquired over the last 18 years of intensive demining efforts. It also supports Cambodia’s request for a ten-year extension of its clearance deadline under Article 5 of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty to which Cambodia became a state party in early 2000. This strategy was developed under the leadership of the Cambodian Mine Action and …

Mine Action Development Funding In Bosnia And Herzegovina, Michael Carrier, John Powell

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Mine action seeks to eliminate the lingering effects of contamination from landmines and explosive remnants of war, but the need for development in these communities often trumps clearance and mine-risk education activities. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, where clearance activities are expected to continue until 2019, the Swiss Development Cooperation and Handicap International are exploring new ways for mine action to integrate development efforts into more traditional mine-action efforts.

Integrating Erw Programs: The Case For Consolidating Cwd Activities, Mark Adams

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

For years, the mine-action community has been revising its definition of explosive remnants of war. Viewing unexploded ordnance, landmines, ammunition stockpiles, and small arms/light weapons as individual threats, the mine-action community has created distinct budgets, programs and policies to address each of them. What were beginning to realize, however, is that a more integrated approach allows for greater progress in reducing the ERW threat.

The Growing Threat To Humanitarian Operations, Adrian King

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Deminers and other humanitarian-aid workers around the world, though previously viewed as off-limits, have become targets of distrust and even violence by certain groups. This article explores the reasons for this shift in ideology, and what action humanitarian organizations must take in order to protect their personnel.

Strengthening The Demining Sector Response To Hiv/Aids In Sub-Saharan Africa, Martin Chitsama

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In this article, the author explores how HIV/AIDS affects deminers in the African areas where the disease is most prevalent. He considers how deminers’ lifestyles make them especially susceptible to HIV/AIDS and suggests mobile HIV/AIDS programs can effectively combat this growing threat.

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.