Hanoi, Viet Nam
On the 5th of July, ARMAC held its strategy stakeholder meeting in Hanoi, Viet Nam. The meeting drew representatives from over 8 government and non-government organizations to provide inputs into the preparation of ARMAC’s first five-year strategic plan.
The meeting is the third of a series of workshops that will encompass stakeholders across mine-affected AMSs. A special session meeting is taking place on 11 July where the outcome from the country consultations will be one of the key points to be discussed.
The goal of ARMAC is to reduce the impact of landmines and explosive remnants of war throughout the region through enhanced awareness in communities, victim assistance, and the sharing of knowledge amongst AMSs.
On 4 April 2019, close to 400 attendees gathered to mark the 2019 International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action hosted by ARMAC, with funding support from the Government of Norway, the Royal Thai Government, the Government of Ireland, and the Clearing for Results Project.
Celebrated under the theme of “Raising Mine and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) Awareness for Peace, Stability and Resilience in #ASEAN through Youth Participation” the day saw 32 sponsored university students join a seminar to learn about the dangers of mines/ERW and efforts to address them.
The day was opened by H.E. Mr. Panyarak Poolthup, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Kingdom of Cambodia and Chair of ARMAC Steering Committee, and H.E. Mr. Morten Høglund, Norway’s Dedicated ASEAN Ambassador, who both highlighted the significance of the day and the students’ important efforts.
H.E. Mr. LY Thuch, Senior Minister and First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) delivered the keynote address and toured an exhibition of the student’s artworks and essays, which were produced as part of the student’s efforts to spread awareness on the impacts of mines/ERW.
Closing out the day, the students were presented with certificates to thank them for their participation and to acknowledge their commitment to act as youth ambassadors by sharing mine/ERW information with their peers and youth communities.
For more information about the event, visit ARMAC’s Mine Awareness Day 2019 Website.
(ARMAC 04 April 2019)