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« ReturnMAC's Youth Leaders close world summit on mine-free world
| Date | 14-Dec-2009 |
| Author/Publisher | MAC |
| Summary | President of the Cartagena Summit on a Mine-Free World asks MAC youth delegates to hold governments accountable for commitments made. |
| Details | Participants from MAC’s Youth Leader Forum, recently held in Colombia (November 29-December 5th), were invited by the President of the Cartagena Summit on a Mine-Free World and the Vice-President of Colombia to present a declaration from the youth in the closing session of the Summit. Mr. Gul Nabi from Afghanistan and Ms Ndèye-Khoudia Ndiaye from France presented the declaration on behalf of the Forum to the over 1000 government delegates and campaigners from around the world. Following their declaration, the Summit President presented the youth with a copy of the Cartagena Declaration signed by governments and asked the youth to hold them accountable for fulfilling the promises made over the next five years. In their own words, this is what the youth delegates had to say about this historic event: We hope to be the youth that made the world speak out against landmines for a lifetime The reading of our declaration did not ¨silence the world.¨ It did not drop mouths with its frankness or unconventionality; nor did it shock with poignant accusations or exhortations. What it did was much, much more for the antipersonnel mine cause. It showed experienced delegations from all over the world, that youth care deeply about this issue and personally experience the plight of those are affected by these inhumane weapons. Moreover, it demonstrated our willingness to learn, to fight forever, to persevere-- to do so not like children but like adults, respectfully, thoughtfully, and intelligently. While we were standing on stage, one could not help but see the serious faces, a sight that could only inspire pride. There were no smiles-- no patronization or condescension. No laughter or pity or sadness or confusion. All one could see was attentive faces, consumed with thought and understanding, not brought about by our youth but because of the clarity and intuitiveness of our message. We may have been introduced as youth, but we left as something else: full members of this movement. Campaigners with the ability, the experience, and the drive to achieve a world where minds replace mines, which is a reality only attainable through the support of those who make others speak out, not stay silent. To watch the youth deliver their declaration to the Cartagena Summit on a Mine-Free World, click below: The complete text of the 2009 Cartagena Summit Youth Declaration: Your Excellencies, We are 35 youth from over 20 different countries, participating in the Youth Leaders Forum. Bringing with us our knowledge and experiences involving mines, we are gathered here in Cartagena to reaffirm the work that was started in Ottawa that aims to stop the devastating effects caused by antipersonnel mines. Some participants in our group, our friends, have been very severely injured by landmines. Learning about their stories and how landmines have permanently altered their lives, we are motivated to strive for change until our world is one in which their needs are met and all of our rights are protected. We appreciate ongoing efforts states put forward on the Mine Ban Treaty, as well as the work being done by civil society, to alleviate the harm and suffering caused by antipersonnel mines and at the same time working towards a mine-free world. Marking the 10th year of the Mine Ban Treaty, we recognize its positive impact on the decreased number of new mine victims all over the world. The Treaty has facilitated the promotion of the well-being and human rights of those affected by antipersonnel mines. Despite these achievements, we, the youth, know that there is still much to be done to completely rid our world of mines. Therefore we call on States Parties and international civil society to carry on and sustain the achievements and progress we have all made towards a mine-free world. A significant increase in funding for victim assistance, mine clearance, and mine risk education programs is needed, thus we further call on states to provide the necessary assistance in concrete, measurable and tangible ways. We, the youth, who are disproportionately affected by landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war, even though we neither produce these weapons nor perpetrate the conflicts in which they were used, call on states not party to please sign, ratify or accede to the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions as soon as possible. Landmines and cluster munitions do not only maim and kill people, but also destroy the environment. Is it not time for you, your Excellencies, to give your children and your grandchildren the chance to live in a safe and peaceful world? We, the youth, recognizing the need for a multi-sectoral approach towards the full success of the Treaty, are ready and committed to work towards the total eradication of antipersonnel mines. We support the Survivors’ Call and, in particular, making the implementation of the Cartagena Action Plan a national priority in each State Party – especially in affected states. A testament to this is the involvement of youth, both in States Parties and states not party, in awareness campaigns on the dangers of mines. We further involve ourselves in the work towards the banning of cluster munitions, which, years after their use, can end up as de facto landmines, waiting to kill and maim civilians, particularly children. We therefore call on states and international civil society to provide space and opportunities for the youth to be involved in the work towards a mine-free world. Youth involvement is crucial in the success of the Treaty, particularly with the sustainability of the work on the ground. We, the youth, are not giving up hope that all our work toward a mine-free world will be realized in the near future. Not only do we still believe that our collective dream of walking this world without the danger and fear of stepping on a mine will come to fruition, we know it is in fact Mission Possible and we want it in our lifetime. The Youth Leaders Forum was made possible by generous financial support from the Foreign Affairs Canada, UNICEF and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. |
 The delegates of MAC's 2009 Youth Leaders Forum in Cartagena, Colombia. |
