Reflections on Frankfort Rally

Comments on Frankfort rally

Mine Action\u27s Cracked Pillar

Just about anyone doing anything regarding land mines knows the four pillars of mine action. We routinely acknowledge that mine awareness, mine clearance, victim assistance and advocacy must all proceed simultaneously if the world is to be aware of the threat of mines, have safe roads, fields and schoolyards, support the rehabilitation and reintegration of victims and survivors, and convince all governments to move quickly toward a mine-free world

What of Chechnya?

There are too many Chechen mothers crying tonight. The scene is hauntingly familiar but the truth of this particular tragedy remains shrouded behind a wall of distortion and indifference. If the inordinate amount of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) were the only problems, simple magic and wizardry might be a realistic and reasonable solution to the devastation that has befallen this land that once was a beautifully scenic pocket of smiles nestled in the Caucasus

The U.S. Pacific Command Humanitarian Demining Program

Under the direction of the U.S. Pacific Command, SOCPAC guides the deployment of Special Operations Forces to mine-affected countries throughout Asia and the Pacific to teach clearance and develop indigenous capabilities

The R&D Requirements Workshop

It doesn’t take more than a day with deminers in a minefield to realize the challenges they face. You quickly discover they are dedicated to what they do, they are passionate about it, and they are extremely vocal about what they think they need to do a better job. A group of dedicated engineers and developers have been carefully listening to what they have to say

Of Bubbles, Burps, and Gaps

We all know the numbers. The challenge of humanitarian demining around the globe is overwhelming, heartbreaking, and seemingly hopeless. The effort nearly always requires more. When experienced people talk of demining shortfalls, you would expect that funding tops the list. No surprise–it does. But always near the top consistently, is good, reliable information. This should not surprise use

Global Focus on Landmines in Afghanistan

Even though it has one of the longest running mine clearance programs, Afghanistan is still believed to be one of the most severely mine-affected countries in the world. The Mine Action Program in Afghanistan (MAPA), a United Nations-supported entity, is one of the largest and most successful national programs in the world and one almost exclusively run by the Afghans themselves with fewer than a dozen or so of the 5,000-person workforce being non-nationals

The plight of foreign national women in the United Kingdom: coercion and trafficking as factors of imprisonment

Within the United Kingdom (UK) prisons exists Foreign National women (FNW), a unique demographic of women who are non-UK citizens who have committed crimes within the UK. It is important to delve deeper into the issue before judgment is made, however, it seems as though in most circumstances, most citizens are not willing or perhaps even unknowledgeable that such a population within prison exists. Therefore, it is important to educate others about the issues that FNW in prison face. This research focuses on the issues such as lack of special services for the women such as translation and family contacts, lack of assistance with applications for asylum, general fear for returning to the home country, and why the women came to the country to begin with. Once the general public becomes aware of these issues, these women can move forward as legislation and assistance can be provided to them. The lack of resources for FNW can lead to isolation, fear, loss of family ties, and even death, should they be forced to return to a dangerous country or situation. While this issue is a worldwide problem, this research will specifically address FNW in prison in the United Kingdom (UK), and the policies and assistance, or lack thereof that the UK has provided thus far. Furthermore, the research will address the issue of the UK\u27s Automatic Deportation Policy and whether or not FNW are being charged with harsher punishment than the UK national women with similar crimes

Miriam Lokey in a Senior Piano Recital

This is the program for the senior piano recital of Miriam Lokey. The recital took place on January 25, 1977, in the Mabee Fine Arts Center Recital Hall

It\u27s Mine and You Can\u27t Have It

It seems to be a given in the mine action community that you are acknowledged as an expert simply because you have stood up and declared it so. As with many humanitarian pursuits, there is no process to credential, certify, or license individuals, processes, or procedures in mine action. There is no guild or professional body to oversee and validate the veracity of performance claims. This is frustrating to donors and funding organizations that have little upon which to base outcome expectations. The answer is an open information system and process, transparent reporting, and contributions from the scientific community that are based on solid testing and unbiased findings that tie performance to expected outcomes