The Ban Bus

What is The Ban Bus?

The Ban Bus is a grass roots advocacy project that will tour Ireland in May 2008 to raise public awareness about the global catastrophe of cluster bombs. In the last two weeks of May, Ireland will host the international conference that will negotiate a treaty to ban these weapons. The Ban Bus will present an in depth insight into what these weapons are and why they must be banned. The full picture from the field reality to the diplomatic efforts to address this issue will be covered.

Who is speaking?

John Rodsted and Mette Eliseussen have spent many years working in countries affected by cluster bombs and landmines. They have a very intimate and first hand knowledge of the issue from both a field and diplomatic perspective.

John Rodsted is an Australian photojournalist who has worked in most of the world’s war torn countries over the past 20 years. He brings great depth of understanding of all facets of the issue from military utility to development and the diplomatic solution. He is a key member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and part of the team that won the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize. He is also a co founder of the Cluster Munitions Coalition.

Mette Eliseussen is a Norwegian who spent many years working in Afghanistan, West Sahara and other developing nations. She is a sociologist who developed some of the first ‘Risk Education Programs’ in Afghanistan and the recipient of the ‘Barn Av Jorden’ prize for work with children in developing countries.

What can you do?

Come along to a talk in your area then get involved. We will need many people who are passionate about making the world a safer place and your involvement can be as extensive or small as you wish. The delegates from all participating countries will need to feel the pressure from civil society and a variety of actions will take place. We need volunteers who could get engaged at all different levels. It will be interesting, exciting and will make a huge difference on a global scale. This is the most important international disarmament treaty to happen in the last 15 years. Come along and get involved. Get on The Ban Bus!