BA Workshop 22-24, February 11

BA Advocacy - Raising Awareness Training

In the lead up to the 1MSP the Lao Ban Advocates were highly involved in

Vientiane, Lao PDR in supporting the 1st August 2010 Entry into Force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM). They developed a range of educational

and advocacy activities and materials, such as village meetings, embassy visits, publications and exhibits, to raise awareness about the Convention on

Cluster Munitions (CCM) and have an ongoing commitment to ban cluster munitions and provide services to victims, survivors and their families.

The group continues to advocate for the implementation of the CCM in Laos

and have organized a training workshop from 22-24 Feb 2011. The topic was BA Advocacy - Raising Awareness. The objective of this training was to develop

the relevant advocacy skills of the Lao Ban Advocates, and provide them with

an opportunity to learn more about the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) process.

During the first day they followed a revision session about the CCM and its

articles 4, 5. What it specifies in terms of clearance and victim assistance. The BA discussed the 1MSP conference and lessons learned. They presented what

they have learnt from the 1MSP.

BA Workshop 22-24, February 11

During the second day, the Ban Advocates received training about the rights of

the persons with disabilities. The purpose was to link the CCM and the CRPD.

The entire team went also to visit the Lao Disabled Peoples Association (LDPA)

Media Unit. The purpose of the visit was to see how LDPA campaigns and advocates through the media in Laos.

On the last day there was a presentation done by the Improved Livelihoods on an

ongoing project to empower persons with disabilities.

Moreover, at the workshop the Ban Advocates were interviewed by invited media

representatives from Vientiane Times and Vientiane Mai newspapers, which provided them an opportunity to raise awareness for the implementation of the

CCM and advocate for providing victim assistance.

BA Workshop 22-24, February 11