Bosnia and Herzegovina hailed as a world leader in helping save lives
Epic expedition arrives in Sarajevo
WHAT: High Impact Media Opportunities during the visit by The Ban Bus: An eight-week campaign trail through Europe to convince all governments to sign a groundbreaking treaty banning cluster bombs, in Oslo on December 3rd 2008. Beginning in Serbia and ending at the signing ceremony in Norway, the Ban Bus is rallying public support for the treaty and turning the eyes of the world on governments that are resisting putting pen to paper and curbing the suffering of millions.
Using sound, film and photo recording equipment, the Ban Bus will be recording its journey, collecting stories and generating a media storm in a bid to get every government to do the right thing and sign the treaty.
WHEN: Tuesday 28th October: 11.00am: Historic Reunion at NPA Global Training Centre for Mine Detection Dogs: Today, Sarajevo’s training centre is a world leader in producing highly trained dogs that are sent around the globe to clear explosive remnants of war. However, only ten years ago, the centre was virtually broke and on the verge of closing. Veteran campaigner, John Rodsted, went searching for funding and through aid organisations in Norway and Australia found enough money to help set the school on the road it is today. Now, the Australian campaigner will return to the world class facility, with his teammates Mette Elisussen from Norway and fellow Australian, Daniel Barty, as part of their epic tour.
Wednesday 29th October: 9.30am: Opening Ceremony & Media Conference of European Faith Leaders Conference on Cluster Munitions: The Ban Bus team will address this major gathering of religious leaders, to update them, and the media, on the progress of the world’s most significant disarmament and humanitarian treaty in more than a decade. Bosnia and Herzegovina has just announced it will sign the ground-breaking treaty at a formal ceremony in December, making it not only a leader in this region but also the world. While BiH’s commitment is welcome, some countries in the region are yet to make the same undertaking and campaigners hope Bosnia and Herzegovina’s stand will be a strong example for its neighbours.
WHERE: Photo and filming opportunities: A Media Conference and Mine Dog Display will be held at the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) Global Training Centre: Blagovac II/26, 71320 Vogosca, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Faith Leaders Conference Opening Ceremony and Media Conference will be held at the beginning of the Faith Leaders Conference: Radon Plaza, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
WHO:
Ban Bus campaigners on the bus:
John Rodsted: Photographer & Nobel Peace Prize Co-Laureate with twenty years experience documenting cluster bombs worldwide
Mette Eliseussen: Norwegian international campaigner and 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Co-laureate
Daniel Barty: Award winning Journalist and campaigner who has worked with survivors in Asia
Bosnia and Herzegovina Campaigner: Alma Taslidzan
CONTACT:
In BiH and on the bus: Daniel Barty, +381 61 233 1169, media (at) thebanbus.org
In BiH: Alma Taslidzan + 387 33 266 880,-890,-891 alma (at) handicap-international.co.ba
The Ban Bus is an advocacy initiative. We are now striving to achieve a ban on cluster bombs by the end of 2008. Our immediate mission is to build strong support for the Oslo Process in countries through Europe, conducting a 10 000 km journey from the Balkans to Oslo.