Note to Correspondents

EXHIBIT OPENS 3 APRIL TO MARK MINE AWARENESS AND ASSISTANCE IN MINE ACTION DAY

WITH FOCUS ON VICTIMS, SURVIVORS, CELEBRATION OF STEPS TO RID WORLD OF THREAT

Every year, landmines and explosive remnants of war continue to kill or injure thousands of people.  This year’s commemoration of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (4 April) will focus on the needs of the ever growing number of landmine victims and survivors, and celebrate the vigorous movement towards the United Nations vision of a world free from the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war.

To mark the international day, a photographic exhibition entitled “Living with Mines” will open with a formal ceremony and reception in the North-East Gallery of the Visitors’ Lobby on Friday, 3 April, at 6 p.m.  The exhibit features the work of renowned Spanish photographer Gervasio Sánchez and the distinguished Slovenian photographer Arne Hodalič.  It displays not only the cruelty of landmines, but also the strength and dignity of landmine survivors and communities who must live daily surrounded by these weapons.

The work of Mr. Sánchez explores the impact of landmines on the lives of individuals across the globe, while Mr. Hodalič, who recently returned from a mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has documented the tireless work of the United Nations Mine Action Team.  The message in the images is powerful:  landmines have no place in any civilized society.

The exhibit will be opened by the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Alain LeRoy, with the participation of the Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, Kiyo Akasaka and the Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions, Dmitry Titov.  The Permanent Representatives of Slovenia and Spain will also take part in the inauguration and singer-songwriter Lucy Woodward will present a live musical recital.

For background information, visit the United Nations Mine Action Team’s website at www.mineaction.org.  In New York, contact Aaron Buckley, United Nations Mine Action Service at +1 212 963 4632, e-mail: buckleya@un.org.

For more information on United Nations exhibitions, contact Jan Arnesen, tel: +1 212 963 8531, e-mail: arnesen@un.org; or Liza Wichmann, tel: +1 212 963 0089, e-mail: wichmann@un.org.

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For information media • not an official record