Zambia and the CCM

On Friday, the meeting Dr. Bob and I have been planning for the last couple weeks was a total success. "Zambia and the Convention on Cluster Munitions: Reporting Back and Moving Forward" assembled an impressive group of Zambian doctors, activists, journalists, police, and many others who have been involved in disarmament and disability issues in Zambia. Although no cabinet ministers could make it – they're in their home constituencies frantically campaigning to keep their jobs – turn-out still exceeded expectations, with 42 participants.

Zambia is not affected by cluster bombs, but the country has played a major role in the international campaign to ban them. The Oslo Process began in February 2007 with a declaration to achieve by the end of 2008 a legally binding instrument to ban cluster bombs. In May of this year in Dublin, 107 states agreed to adopt the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which will be opened for signing in Oslo in December. During this time, members of the Zambia Mine Action Centre and Zambian civil society, including Dr. Bob, have been at the forefront of treaty negotiations. Friday's meeting brought together all those involved to regroup and strategize – to ensure that Zambia signs the Convention and to plan for domesticating the Convention in Zambia.

Meanwhile, if you haven't already, sign the People's Treaty and help push governments to bring the Convention to fruition this December. Cluster bombs are indiscriminate and senseless weapons, as this Human Rights Watch video makes abundently clear. The Cluster Munition Coalition, which spearheaded the campaign to ban cluster bombs and includes Mines Action Canada and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, for whom I'm working, was recognized for its efforts by being nominated for this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

Ms. Sheila Mweemba, director of the Zambia Mine Action Centre, in the middle.

Dr. Bob convening the meeting.