MAG invited its donors to an evening reception in London to thank them for their support throughout the past years.
The evening marked the 10th anniversary of the Ottawa Treaty, the international agreement that bans antipersonnel landmines, as well as the 10th anniversary of MAG becoming co-laureate of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize.
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| Guests at London's La Galleria look on during Stuart Hughes' opening speech |
The donors were welcomed at La Galleria in London’s Pall Mall, which was made available by the Canadian born sculptor Blake, whose Fragments collection – reflecting the devastating effects that remnants of war have on the civilian population – is on display in the gallery.
MAG’s patron, BBC journalist and landmine survivor Stuart Hughes gave a very personal speech highlighting the impact of landmines on the everyday life of those affected by them, including himself, before introducing MAG patron and BBC journalist Martin Bell.
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| Speakers at the reception were (clockwise from top left): Stuart Hughes, BBC World Affairs Producer and landmine survivor; Tim Carstairs, MAG Director for Policy; Martin Bell, former BBC War Correspondent and Member of Parliament; Blake, whose art was on display during the event | |
He spoke about his observations throughout his extensive journalistic career of the ongoing threat of the remnants of conflict: landmines, cluster munitions and other abandoned and forgotten explosives killing, maiming and injuring mostly children.
MAG’s Director of Policy Tim Carstairs focused in his speech on MAG’s expansion throughout the years – from an organisation focusing only on landmines, into a multi-focused professional organisation that clears not just mines, but all remnants of conflict that hinder, threaten or hamper communities to reclaim their lands, access roads and clinics, and build up their livelihoods.
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| Blake's Fragments collection consists of 20 bronze sculptures reflecting the devastating effects that remnants of war have on the civilian population |
The sculptor Blake concluded the list of speakers by talking about his personal motivation for using his artwork to aid the move towards a mine-free world.
MAG is grateful for all the support throughout its years of existence from all donors, whether private or public, big or small. It is with your donations that we are able to clear mines, get rid of abandoned weapons and remove cluster munitions – not for statistical reasons, but to enable families, farmers, children and workers to live in a safe surrounding without fear, and rebuild their lives.
Links:
» More on the Fragments exhibition at www.motive-art.org
» Blake official website
16 November 07
