MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Landmines and cluster munitions continue to kill civilians even after a conflict ends. The biggest victims of landmines are children, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF. 

The Global Health Program at West Virginia University hosted landmine activist Alison Bock of Landmines Blow! and PSALM/WVCBL students for its annual Global Health Day event on Nov. 16^th. 2009. In 2003, Bock founded Landmines Blow!, a nongovernmental organization created to raise awareness of landmines and their impact on civilians. Bock speaks and writes about landmines and cluster munitions, the global water crisis, refugees, the empowerment of women, peace and other subjects.

PSALM/WVCBL students made presentations and set up an information table to raise awareness about the devastation caused by landmines and cluster munitions to children the world over.

To see television film of the event go to: http://wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=70459

About the Global Health Program at West Virginia University

The Global Health Program at WVU was established in 1991 as an interdisciplinary program at the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center. It is a student-centered program composed of faculty, students and staff who work to promote the education of students and healthcare professionals in global health.
 

The year 2009 marks an amazing passage of time for PSALM/ WVCBL. We celebrated the ten year anniversary of our founding by an amazing group of art students who wondered, “How can we make a difference in the world today?” As we look back on our experiences, we are forever indebted to the many folks  who supported our efforts to educate others about the devastation caused by landmines and cluster munitions. We are forever grateful and appreciative!

Students paint shoes and add facts about landmines and cluster munitions. The sculpture is displayed in the community to educate the public about these important issues.

The major focus and objectives of our campaigning work has been raising awareness about the devastation caused by landmines and cluster munitions, the Mine Ban Treaty and the signing of a new global treaty banning cluster munitions. We are excited to be a part of the process and essentially witness the “birth” of a new, international treaty.

 

 

PSALM PEACE 4 U

“P.S.A.L.M.” (Proud Students Against Land Mines and Cluster Bombs) and the West Virginia Campaign to Ban Landmines and the Cluster Munitions are celebrating the 100^th signature to the Cluster Munitions Treaty. YAY! Our hope is that ALL countries will sign the treaties to ban landmines and cluster munitions.

 On September 21^st, The International Day of Peace, students displayed throughout our community banners of a single lit candle in remembrance of the victims of landmines and cluster munitions throughout the world. WVCBL also displayed banners during the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

WVCBL and PSALM display their banners at the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania