LAWYERS AGAINST LANDMINES
Co-Chairs:

Dear Managing Partner:

We are writing to you as Co-Chairs of Lawyers Against Landmines (LAL) with a very simple request: please ask your marketing department to help us stop the damage caused by anti-personnel landmines.

Several years ago, the Canadian Landmine Foundation created an event called Night of A Thousand Dinners (N1KD). The idea is very simple; rather than organizing a few large social events, N1KD coordinates the organization of many smaller affairs. The 'dinner' can be as simple as inviting friends, neighbours or business colleagues for a meal, or cocktails, or even holding a staff lunch in your office. By registering the event on www.clmf.org each Host receives a kit including a videotape about the landmine issue. 100% of the funds raised through N1KD are sent to the United Nations, or other mine action organisations, for landmine action projects.

Lawyers Against Landmines was created to encourage law firms to participate in N1KD. Last year, through a generous donation from the BLG Foundation, of the firm Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, we were able to partially cover the cost of a Mine Risk Education (MRE) program in Colombia. This MRE program will focus on increasing awareness of safe practices particularly amongst children. Some 30% of the civilians impacted by mines are children.

The landmine accident rate in Colombia is now the highest in the world. While the Government has repudiated the weapon, non-state armed groups continue to use antipersonnel mines on a regular basis. The mine problem has continued to escalate to the point where more than half the country's municipalities are affected by mines or unexploded ordnance. LAL will work with you to continue to fund MRE and survivor assistance in Colombia.

Thank you for referring this to your marketing department. Staff and volunteers of the Canadian Landmine Foundation will work with them to encourage participation. In doing so, we will help some of the most disenfranchised people in the world.

Sincerely,