PSALM Students and WVCBL Celebrate the Mine Ban Treaty (MBT), the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) and the International Day for Persons with Disabilities – West Virginia Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Bombs

PSALM students hosted an art/photo exhibit at St. Francis de Sales Parish Meeting Hall in Morgantown, West Virginia on December 4th and 5th.

The photo exhibit and awareness event was to mark December 3rd. On December 3rd,1997 the Mine Ban Treaty (MBT) opened for signature in Ottawa, Canada, on December 3rd, 2008 the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) opened for signature in Oslo, Norway and it is the International Day for Persons with Disabilities). The art show/exhibit consisted of photographs from Laos, of PSALM students in action and a painted “shoe sculptures”. The shoes had facts about landmines, cluster bombs and survivors stories.

9shoe4

The shoes were placed on tables with articles about the Mine Ban Treaty, the Convention on Cluster Munitions and materials collected from the CCM 1^st MSP and past MBT MSP meetings.

Students arranged presentations and hosted a reception in connection with the exhibit. The response was amazing! Reponses such as “I had no idea the impact was that serious” to “what can I do” allowed the students to educate the visitors about our work and what we hope to accomplish. PSALM students work countless hours to educate others about the devastation caused by landmines and cluster bombs to children around the world. Attending the 1^st MSP was a sobering experience that made me realize the importance of the work of PSALM students. We believe our mission is possible! Campaigners, including PSALM/WVCBL will continue to urge ALL countries to get on board the treaties to ban cluster bombs and landmines.

: Field Guides Lao UXO