Projects

Short Description:

Overall goal

The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) was formally launched in 1992 with three basic goals: a total ban on antipersonnel landmines, increased resources for mine action, and increased resources for survivor assistance. Through the dedicated work of a small group of central actors and a large group of campaigners working around the world, and in partnership with several governments and international organizations, the ICBL helped reach these goals through the creation of the Mine Ban Convention, or Mine Ban Treaty, in 1997. Since the convention entered into force in 1999, the ICBL has continued to pursue its original goals by advocating for universal adherence to and compliance with the Mine Ban Treaty. Much of the awareness-raising and advocacy work of the ICBL is done by ICBL members in close coordination with a small group of ICBL staff. The staff works to channel all this energy into strong and coherent advocacy messages which are presented by both staff and campaigners at the national and international levels. The ICBL's advocacy work is largely informed by its innovative project, the annual Landmine Monitor report, which provides the facts upon which sound policy proposals are made.

This Austrian contribution supports the operation of ICBL in 2006, especially with a view on supporting States Parties that have deadlines coming up and that face serious implementation challenges, both in terms of mine clearance and victim assistance. The contribution also assists ICBL's role in the monitoring of all mine action actors (international and national) to ensure that they are consistent with the Convention and its obligations. Efforts in other countries (i.e. donor countries and non-affected States Parties) shall be focussed on keeping the issue on the agenda and documenting the need to provide sufficient political and financial support.