YOUNG PROFESSIONAL INTERNATIONAL MINE ACTION PROGRAM 2011

MINES ACTIONCANADA

BAN LANDMINES CAMPAIGN NEPAL

DUSTIN CIUFO

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL INTERNATIONAL MINE ACTION PROGRAM 2011

Presentation Overview

Introducing Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal

The State of Landmines and Improvised Explosive Devices in Nepal

Girl Child Education Scholarship Program

Youth Mobilization

Blast From Below

Questions and Thank You

INTRODUCING BAN LANDMINES CAMPAIGN NEPAL

PURNA SHOVA CHITRAKARCOORDINATOR AND CHAIRPERSON

PRABIN CHITRAKARPROGRAM COORDINATOR

REENA BAJRACHARYAPROGRAM COORDINATOR

DINESH SUBEDIVICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR

THE STATE OF LANDMINES AND IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES IN NEPAL

The Lasting Legacy of Conflict:Landmines and Improvised Explosive Devices

LandminesContext – During the conflict, the Royal

Nepal Army laid landmine across 53 fields.

Victims - Based on the data available from January 2006 to June 2011, there were 23 casualties including 4 fatalities

from landmines.

State – As of 14 June 2011, all 53 landmine fields have been cleared,

however, the Nepal Army still possesses stockpiles of landmines.

Improvised Explosive DevicesContext – During the conflict, IEDs were utilized by both the security forces and

Maoist Army.

Victims – Based on the data available from January 2006 to June 2011, there

were 473 casualties including 78 fatalities from IEDs.

State – IED fields laid by the Nepal Army are to be cleared by the end of 2011 but there is an undetermined

number of IEDs left by the Maoist Army and used by armed groups.

Nepal’s decade-long conflict from 1996-2006 originated with the intention of the Maoists to overthrow Nepal’s monarchy. As their efforts intensified, the security forces attempted to quell the uprising. The Royal Nepal Army would utilize anti-personnel landmines while all

parties involved used improvised explosive devices.

THE STATE OF LANDMINES AND IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES IN NEPAL

The Impact of Mine Action Advocacy:Mine Field Free Nepal

On 14 June 2011, Nepal was officially declared a mine field free country. Nepal should take pride in becoming only the 2nd mine affected Asian state to remove their landmines. Despite

this achievement, mine action must continue in earnest.

Mine Risk EducationMust spread awareness

for IEDs left from the conflict and currently in use by armed groups.

AdvocacyMust be aimed at

pressuring the Government to destroy

existing stockpiles.

Survivor AssistanceMust be provided and

maintained for the sustainable livelihoods of

innocent victims.

THE STATE OF LANDMINES AND IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES IN NEPAL

Obstacles to Overcome, Initiatives to Implement:How Nepal Can Accede to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention

Political InstabilityNepal is currently

working through a peace process that has leaders changing positions with tremendous frequency.

It is imperative that campaigners find their

champion for the landmine cause and take steps to protect her/his

position.

Military UtilityThe old guard of the

military remain staunch in their defence of

landmine use and it may take a generation for

views to change.

Discussing the military utility of the weapon is a

non-starter. It is the disproportionate risk to civilians that must be

focused upon.

GeopoliticsAs a landlocked country

between China and India, Nepal is reluctant to act internationally without considering these two

superpowers.

While neither have signed the APMBC, they are party to the CCW. By linking the two, it could prove fruitful

for acceding to both treaties.

GIRL CHILD EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMWomen Development Society & Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal Present

An Evening in Support of Girls’ EducationObjective

Hosting a Fundraising dinner to enhance the number of Girl Child Education Scholarship Recipients.

Positive OutcomesMoney raised to enhance the number of

Girl Child Education Recipients.Awareness spread to over 40

embassies/consulates, INGOs & NGOs.Follow-up contact with attendees and

invitees with program proposals.

Areas for ImprovementUnable to get representatives from

embassies/consulates to attend.Consider the event more of a celebration

of the girl child program.Reconsider the high end and find a

medium ground to increase attendees.

GIRL CHILD EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMProviding Education to Conflict-Victim and Marginalized Girls:

Girl Child Education Scholarship Program in Dang and Chitwan Districts

Positive OutcomesSchool fees and materials distributed to

Dang and Chitwan Districts.Tremendous cross-cultural and

experiential education developed.Knowledge for the program enhanced

and advocacy video captured.

Areas for ImprovementBandha (strike) prevented travel to

Bardiya District.Could have taken the chance to ask more

questions about the program.Perhaps longer period of time spent at

different districts required.

ObjectiveDistribute school fees and materials to girl child recipients and develop a deeper

understanding for the program for writing funding proposals.

GIRL CHILD EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMEqual Opportunities for Education:

Girl Child Education Scholarship Program Funding Proposals

Positive OutcomesProgram proposals constructed for

Bardiya, Dang and Chitwan Districts.Caritas International requested meeting

Bardiya recipients.Program proposals submitted to over a

dozen embassies/consulates.

Areas for ImprovementUnable to secure an embassy, consulate ,

INGO or NGO donor.Discussed proposal writing with co-

workers but should have done more.Reconsider methods utilized and attempt

different approaches.

ObjectiveCreate Girl Child Education Scholarship Program Funding Proposals to enhance the number

of Girl Child Education Scholarship recipients.

YOUTH MOBILIZATIONInternational Action Network on Small Arms’ Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence: NCPB Discusses the Global and Local Context

Positive OutcomesAwareness for small arms spread

amongst the youth.Linking with international groups for knowledge transfer and in solidarity.An emerging issue that the NCBL is looking to enhance involvement in.

Areas for ImprovementConsider alternative strategies to invite

enhanced youth dialogue.Allocate greater amount of time to the

issue at hand.Include small-arm related group activity

for enhanced participation.

ObjectiveDiscuss the global and local context of small arms for speaking out against their use, to determine conflict mitigation strategies and remember those affected by gun violence.

YOUTH MOBILIZATIONSay to the Darkness We Beg to Differ:

The National Campaign for Peace Building Youth for Peace Symposium

Positive OutcomesYouth-to-youth advocacy for peace

related issues.Reached close to 200 students.

Kidnapping, food security, enforced disappearances, cluster munitions,

pollution and girls’ trafficking issues.

Areas for ImprovementJig-saw learning resulted in youth doing

presentations too frequentlyRequired more time for the youth to give

their complete presentations.Consider group summary activity for relationship of issues and activism.

ObjectiveProvide the NCPB the opportunity to further develop their advocacy skills while spreading

awareness for peace related issue in their community.

YOUTH MOBILIZATIONPeace Through Disarmament:

International Humanitarian Law, Mine Action and Youth ActivismObjective

Spread awareness for the landmine issue in Nepal, provide steps youth can take for change and create linkages with the colleges in Kathmandu Valley.

Positive OutcomesPresentation conducted at 5 colleges

reaching over 1000 students.Awareness for landmine issue and youth

activism presented.Linkages with schools established for

select students to attend future event.

Areas for ImprovementTarget the audience by presenting to

more journalist students.Should have brought along a member of

the NCPB for sustainability. Future event postponed (bandha) and new date saw decreased attendance.

BLAST FROM BELOW

http://www.youtube.com/user/MinesActionCanada?feature=mhee#p/u/0/0dXyHziTeeI

QUESTIONS AND THANK YOUQuestions

???Thank You

CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCYMINES ACTION CANADA

BAN LANDMINES CAMPAIGN NEPALBENCHEN VIHAR MONASTERY

MY FAMILY

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL INTERNATIONAL MINE ACTION PROGRAM 2011

MINES ACTIONCANADA

BAN LANDMINES CAMPAIGN NEPAL

DUSTIN CIUFO