Wednesday 6 June 2012

Keep your legs

There are main different organizations working towards getting rid of landmines. I will focus on a few of the organization that work on solving the issues, but there are many more organization working towards solving landmines.


  One organization is the Canadian Landmine Foundation, who has been working to remove landmines since 1999. It has been said that you can throw money at a problem but with landmines you can this organization as well as other will ask for donations. The adopt a landmine project partnered with the UN asks people to donate to clear landmines that are 10,000 to 60,000 sq meters and cost $40,000 to remove. But there are other ways to help out, The Canadian Landmines Foundation puts on the Night of 1000 dinners know as "Meals for a Mine-Free World" . This event was thought as a unique way to rise funds. People of any sorts can come and have a fancy dinner but instead of bring wine of flowers you bring a donation. This event has been a great fundraiser. New fact, dogs have become an increasingly important means of detecting and removing mines. They can smell them out and it takes a lot less time than a metal detector. They can train dog to find landmines but again it cost money. So this is a good project for schools or youth organizations to get involved in the clearing of landmines. So what can you do, maybe you not rich. That okay! Within this organization there are many other these you can do to help such as  you can become active in one of the programs mentioned above, such as hosting or organizing your own “Meals for a Mine-Free World” event. Host a dinner and ask your guests to bring charitable donations to help clear landmine fields. If you are within the education system teacher can do lesson plans  offered by the Canadian Landmine Foundation. For students there is an essay contest where you answer the question what is a peacekeeper, peacemaker. The contest is called Mark Isfield Essay Contest.  


IBCL Logo

 The International Campaign to ban Landmines is a campaign that has be around for twenty year. They have a great website : www.icbl.org. Which is where I got a lot of the information for some of my previous posts. In their website the outline the problem of landmines, the history, The treaty they want, information about them and what they want, and most importantly how you can get involved. First they have a list of ten thing you can do: (Taken straight from http://www.icbl.org/index.php/icbl/What-You-Can-Do/10-Things-You-Can-Do )

1. Learn about landmines

Visit the ICBL site, read about the latest global developments in the annual report issued by Landmine Monitor, have a look at our list of links.

2. Join a local campaign or start one

Contact one of the national campaigns to ban landmines. If there is no campaign in your country then consider starting your own! If you are from a non-governmental organization, read how to become a member.

3. Sign a petition

Add your voice to the petition launched by Avaaz.org to call on the United States to ban landmines.

4. Send a lobbying letter

Write to one of the countries that have not joined the treaties. Urge them to get on board right away!
Write to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of treaty members states and urge them to lobby the non-member states to join.
Read our writing tips and sample letters.
In December 2009 the Obama Administration announced it had initiated a comprehensive review of U.S. landmine policy to determine whether the U.S. will join the Mine Ban Treaty. Send a lobbying letter to call on the U.S. to join the treaty! Use the United States Campaign to Ban Landmines' online letter-writing tool or Human Rights Watch's online letter-writing tool.

5. Get the word out

Write to a local newspaper, call up a local radio station, and send information to your friends.

6. Organise a public event

Raise awareness in your community! Organise a photo or art exhibition, start a landmine awareness day, set up a letter-writing event, hold a public demonstration...

7. Stay informed and join in the discussion

Subscribe to our newsletter and join us on Facebook and Twitter

8. Volunteer for the ICBL

If you are as passionate about this issue as we are and willing to dedicate some of your time, find out more about volunteering or interning for the ICBL

9. Contribute to Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor

Consider providing information for Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor. Find out about their research network and whether you can contribute by looking at the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor website or writing to monitor@icbl.org.

10. Make a donation

Support the ICBL online or by mail. Every bit counts!