Briefing & Discussion on Cluster Bomb Removal and Assistance in Laos

November 5, 2009

 Cooley Godward Kronish LLP
777 6th Street, NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20001

(Gallery Place – Chinatown Metro)

The meeting will focus on the current status of UXO clearance, risk
awareness and victim assistance in Laos. Experts from Laos and the
U.S. will share their perspectives on the opportunities for greater
collaboration among the public, private and non-governmental sectors
to address this long-term problem. The meeting format will allow for
participants’ feedback and discussion.

8:30am – 9:00am ~ Continental Breakfast

9:00am – 9:30am ~ Welcome & Introductions

                             Brett Dakin, Chair, Board of Directors,
Legacies of War
                             Channapha Khamvongsa, Executive Director,
Legacies of War
                             Opening Remarks
                             Introduction and remarks from dignitaries
and honored guests
                             * H.E. Phiane Philakone, Ambassador,
Embassy of the Lao PDR
                             Or Mai Sayavongs, Minister Counselor and
Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Lao PDR

 9:30am – 10:00am ~ * Safe Path Forward I &II Strategic Plan
(2010-2020)
                             Dr. Maligna Saignavongs, Director,
National Regulatory Authority
                             Tim Horner, Sr. Technical Advisor,
National Regulatory Authority
                             (via videolink from Vientiane, Laos)

10:00am – 10:30am ~ * Victim Assistance & Rehabilitation – National
Survey (2008)
                             Mike Boddington, Technical Advisor -
Victim Assistance, National
                             Regulatory Authority & Cooperative
Orthotic and Prosthetic
                             Enterprise (COPE)
                             (via videolink from Vientiane, Laos)

10:30am – 11:00am ~ Questions & Discussion

11:00am – 11:10am ~ Break

11:10am – 11:45am ~ U.S. Assistance to Laos
                              * Charles Stonecipher, Program Manager -
Asia and the Pacific,
                              Office of Weapons Removal & Abatement,
U.S. Department of State

12:30pm – 1:30pm ~ Lunch & Speaker H.E. Kanika Phommachanh, Ambassador
of
                              Lao PDR to the United Nations

1:30pm – 2:30pm ~ In the Village: UXO Clearance, Mine Risk Education
and Development Issues
                             * Formal and Unregulated UXO Clearance
                             Steve Wilson, Director of International
Relations, Mines Advisory Group
                             Q&A

                             * Awareness & Education
                             Sarah Bruinooge, Program Officer, World
Education/Consortium
                             Q&A

                             * UXO and Development Issues
                             Wendy Batson, Executive Director,
Handicap International - USA
                             Steve Ginther, Program Manager for Mine
Action, Humpty Dumpty Institute

2:30pm – 3:00 pm ~ Q&A and Discussion

3:00pm – 4:00pm ~ Summary and Wrap Up
                             Titus Peachey, Director of U.S. Peace
Program, Mennonite Central Committee

Please remember to discuss some of the real situations. There are some
landmines which were planted by Lao PDR army in the Hmong Chafa
territories after 1975, don't blame this on UXO. Also, they need to be
cleared.

Please join us for a viewing of our national traveling exhibition and
enjoy delicious Laotian appetizers and beverages.
___________________
Thursday, November 5, 2009

6:00 to 8:00 pm

At the home of Kae & Don Dakin
2019 Q Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Board members, staff and distinguished guests will discuss how
Legacies is addressing the aftermath of war, including efforts to
remove cluster bombs from Laos.