Youth Declaration to the Nairobi
Summit on a Mine-Free World
Mines Action
Canada, Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday 08 December 2004
Preamble
Thousands of youth from six continents hereby affirm our
commitment to this Summit as an opportunity to celebrate achievements in
eradicating the scourge of landmines and to agree on a practical and ambitious
plan of action to finish the task of building a mine-free world.
We acknowledge the work of mine action leaders and
express our admiration and respect for their accomplishments.
We recognize both the responsibility and the potential
that we possess as young individuals, and the necessity of our taking a leading
role in this campaign.
Summative declaration
It is our challenge to maintain the momentum of the campaign and propel it into the future.
We declare our commitment to see that compliance with the
Ottawa Treaty becomes universal, that mine clearance and stockpile destruction
obligations are met, that adequate assistance is provided for all survivors and
mine-affected communities and that donor countries be encouraged to make bold
pledges of assistance.
We declare our commitment to press forward with the fight
to rid the world of landmines, and our determination to finish the job in our
lifetime.
Symposium Declaration
We, the 39 young people of the International Youth
Symposium, representing 24 different countries affirm the preceding
declaration.
We share the vision for a mine-free world and recognize
the progress made by those who have dedicated themselves to the anti-landmine
effort.
We recognize the importance of all aspects of mine action
achieved through the Ottawa Treaty.
We acknowledge the role that mine action plays in
promoting development, humanitarianism, peace-building and equality, achieved
through the proactive partnership between governments and civil society.
We understand there are more challenges ahead, including
the need to encourage states not yet party to join the Ottawa Treaty and for
non-state actors to adhere to its norms. As young leaders with a vision of a
mine-free world we are ready to embrace the challenge.
No more landmines. No more new victims. In our lifetime.
We are ready.