Ban Advocates Blog

Today was the last day of this week spent together in Chile. After the conference, each Ban Advocate has followed the CMC and ICBL workshop sessions, following each one needs and interest, choosing between different topics for improving the campaigning work at home.

During four days, the Ban Advocates have been trained along with other campaigners on sessions of: strategies for working with governments in affected countries, advocating on victim assistance, strategic planning, working with the media…

Those four days have also been the opportunity to better know each others, and to brainstorm on ideas to celebrate the entry into force of the Convention on 1st August, as well as discussing campaigning activities on the roadmap to the first meeting of the States Parties in Lao PDR, next November.

To conclude the campaigners’ forum, each one has enjoyed the wrap party, by taking a last glass of even pisco sour or Chilean wine, before heading home with memories of the nice time spent in this welcoming country of Chile!

Download the report on this workshop, where Albanian Ban Advocate were involved:

Report workshop

Thoummy Silamphan, based on an interview in Lao PDR, May 2010

I had gone out to look for bamboo shoots to feed my family and avoid spending unnecessary family money on food. I was digging in a field about a kilometer away from my village, when the spade I was using hit some UXO beneath the ground.

When the bombie exploded, it cut my left hand, and caused me the most excruciating pain. I was lying on the ground bleeding, when people from the closest village, who had heard the explosion, found me. They carried me to my house, which took 45 minutes.

BAN NEWSLETTER ISSUE 26, APRIL 2010

Download the complete newsletter :

Ban Newsletter Issue 26

Umarbek Pulodov, Ban Advocate

The Round Table session on “The Progress of Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of Antipersonnel Mines in Tajikistan” was held in Dushanbe Somoni Palace on April 5, 2010 to commemorate the International Mine Action Day, under the leadership of the government of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Representatives of ministries and other stakeholders, as well as diplomatic representatives and International and non-governmental organizations registered in Tajikistan and mass media took part in the above Round Table.

The anniversary of the Mine Action Day was commemorated on the day of the visit of the UN Secretary-General Mr.Ban Ki-moon to the Republic of Tajikistan.

Berihu had the opportunity both to deliver a speech at the opening ceremony, and to present the situation of Survivor Assistance in Africa during the session 4 of the conference on National implementation, Cooperation and Assistance.

Download Berihu's opening speech :

Berihu's opening speech

Download Berihu's VA session speech :

Berihu's VA session speech

Umarbek Pulodov, Ban Advocate

On 12 March 2010 we, TCBL (Tajikistan Campaign to Ban Landmines) representatives (Bakhtiyor Begmuradov, Aziza Hakimova) and myself as a Ban Advocate, had a meeting (business lunch) with the US embassy representative, Mr. William von Zagorski, Political Officer.

Ardjana, Ban Advocate, Albania

The English course is very useful for me; it helps me to improve my English in the school and outside the school. I can speak well now but it needs a little more work.

It was great in Berlin. I have learned many things there and thanks to my interpreter Ilir who translated everything for me, I understood a lot of things.

Thanks very much for offering me this opportunity to improve my English.

Ardjana

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My English and computer classes are ok. I do not have any problem.

Now I can speak English 40% and I am first in my class.

Soraj

Ta, Ban Advocate, with his children, Lao PDR

© Alison Locke

This is A m A z I n G news! Congratulations to all! I spoke with Ayat’s father earlier today and he is happy to hear the news as well! I did not have the opportunity to speak with Ayat. But I'm sure she will become happy to hear the news.

Anwahr, Sweden

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Congratulation for the 30-th ratification. Finally we made it. Great work.

Ardjana, Albania

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This is really good news. Congratulations to all Ban Advocate members.

Berihu,Tesfay and Aynalem, Ethiopia

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Congratulations for all of you,

Dejan, Serbia

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This is really GOOD news. Congratulations to all.

Hien, Vietnam

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This is a really wonderful news to finally have the 30th country on board. Finally the great effort given by every one involved in this initiative, was worth it. Congratulations to all!

Ilir, Albania

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Congratulations!!!

Linh, Vietnam

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Good work my friends! Good work!!! Congratulations ;))))

Mina, Croatia

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Wow, Exciting news. Congratulations to all Ban Advocate members!!!

Sulaiman and Soraj, Afghanistan

This week of training for new Lao Ban Advocates has been fantastic. The workshop closed with the most difficult challenge of the week: public speaking. Each one of the advocates were encouraged and found the courage to deliver their speeches in front of the entire group. This was not an easy job, as for some of them, they told their stories for the first time, outside of a familial context.

During the week of training, one of the great successes was to see how little by little the cluster munition survivors got closer to each others, as they shared their experiences about their daily lives. We saw this week some individuals who felt more and more confident taking part in the Ban Advocates group and understanding how their stories and messages can be powerful.