In recognition of the 10th anniversary of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, Mines Action Canada (MAC) and its partners are organising the following events.

Programme

Friday, November 30th

Public Talk by Professor Jody Williams (evening, TBC)

The Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA), in collaboration with the
Nobel Women’s Initiative, will host a public talk featuring Professor Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Laureate, who has been recognized for her leadership in the international campaign to ban landmines. Professor Williams will address Canada’s current conduct in international forums as well as the
recent effort to establish a new UN Women’s Agency. All are welcome to participate.

Saturday, December 1st

Walk Without Fear (commencing at 2:00pm)

International guests and Ottawa-area residents will have the opportunity to participate in an awareness raising “walk without fear”. The walk will begin at the Human Rights memorial and end on Parliament Hill with a hot chocolate reception and demonstration. All are welcome to participate.

10th Anniversary Film Gala and Silent Auction (7:00-10:00pm)

In partnership with World Inter-Action Mondiale (WIAM), organizer of Ottawa’s annual One World Film Festival, MAC will screen a series of films highlighting the timeline of the movement against victim-activated weapons. Films will be
augmented by discussions with representatives of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and directors of the films. All are welcome to participate.

Sunday, December 2nd

Diplomatic Leaders Forum (4:30-6:30pm)

Representatives of countries that have demonstrated financial, political and regional leadership in the mine and cluster ban movement will have an opportunity to participate in a focused discussion on ensuring the obligations of the Ottawa Treaty are met fully and effectively, as well as the fulfillment of the Oslo Declaration committing to a ban on cluster munitions by 2008. The aim of the forum will be to generate ideas and actions the diplomatic community can take to help impart a new momentum to ongoing international efforts for universalization and implementation. Participation in this event is by invitation only.

Champagne Reception (6:30-7:30pm)

Following the conclusion of the Leaders Forum, come raise a glass with us to toast the 10th anniversary of the day the world came to Canada to sign the Ottawa Treaty banning landmines. All are welcome to participate.

Monday, December 3rd

Breakfast of MP Champions (7:30-8:45am)

Members of Parliament who have been strong champions of the Ottawa Treaty and movement on cluster munitions will be invited to a breakfast event to meet international leaders in the ICBL, Cluster Munition Coalition and MP champions from other countries.
This event is by invitation only.

Press Conference (9:30-10:00am)

MAC, ICBL representatives and its partners and representatives of our MP Champions will hold a press conference at Parliament Hill. Due to security restrictions on Parliament Hill, this is not an open event.

10th Anniversary Global Town Hall (10:30-4:30pm)

MAC has been organizing a series of public forums across the country this fall, beginning approximately 100 days before the December 3rd anniversary. The Global Town Hall will be the culmination of this cross-country series. Invited guests, MAC members, Canadian and other government representatives, and the academic community will have an opportunity to discuss, debate and proactively strategize ways to address the major outstanding issues in the full realization of the Ottawa Convention banning landmines between now and
the 2009 Review Conference. All are welcome to participate.

Government of Canada Gala Dinner (6:30pm, tbc)

This event is by invitation only. However, all guests invited to MAC events are welcome.

For further information, contact: nancy(at)minesactioncanada.org