The Current Projects section of INYAL will allow members to discuss how they are contributing (either within their organizations or as individuals) to the fight against landmines. This will eventually take the form of an organized monthly or bi-monthly newsletter, focussing on the current projects of each INYAL member – a different one each issue.

Here is an example of some recent projects undertaken by one of INYAL’s members: The Australian Youth Against Landmines Association.

A report on the work of TAYALA in the field:
‘Cambodian village says ‘thank you’ to Australian Youth’.

On Wednesday the 21st of July, citizens of Ou Angre village in Cambodia said ‘thank you’ to the youth of Australian in the opening ceremony of their new village well funded by The Australian Youth Against Landmines Association (TAYALA). The small village in Analong Veng District in the north of Cambodia hosted
TAYALA director, Kristy Fleming, and participants from Austcare and Teuk
Saat for the grand opening ceremony. Village representatives, dressed in
specifically designed T–shirts for the well opening, had decorated the
village with bright blue banners welcoming and thanking TAYALA for funding
their new well. Villagers told their guests that now, instead of trekking 4
or 5 times a day to the river to bring water to the village, the children
are able to attend school while their parent’s work in the fields.
Ms Fleming stated that she was very happy to be there; ‘I am so
excited to witness the progress of TAYALA. I am overwhelmed by the response
from Ou Angre village and honoured to be part of the opening ceremony.’

TAYALA meets with Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer MP, to discuss landmines

TAYALA has become increasingly involved in lobbying the Government to renew
its funding commitment of $100 - $150 million of landmine support. We have
done so in events such as Landmines Awareness Week, however, we have
increasingly done so through direct discussion. Jonathan Greenacre, TAYALA committee member, recently had the opportunity to meet the Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer. It was an opportunity not to be missed. He wrote later; ‘I had no idea how much good work Mr Downer has done surrounding landmines. Before I met him, I researched what he had done and was really astounded. He has done a great deal.’ It turns out that Mr Downer has led Australia to sign and ratify the Ottawa Convention (one of the first countries to do so), to unilaterally destroy the Australian landmine stockpile four years ahead of schedule and to indefinitely suspend Australia’s landmine production.