Legacies of War

What a day at the Economic Forum! it was so special to be part of an All-Superwomen Panel🫶🏽: "The Protection of Human Rights in the Context of of Armed Conflicts" We had a robust conversation around this prompt: Human rights are the supreme value and guarantee of respect for human dignity. The international community has established a number of international institutions, which in turn have adopted numerous international documents aimed at guaranteeing, protecting and defending fundamental human rights, including in situations of crisis or war. What are the most serious problems regarding crimes committed, including war crimes, and what can we do to improve the situation in war-affected areas to prevent violations of fundamental rights and freedoms? Moderator: Olga Manole, Program Coordinator, Promo-LEX Association, Republic of Moldova My fellow esteemed panelists: Ida Sawyer, Director, Crisis, Conflict and Arms Division, Human Rights Watch , USA Mjusa Sever, Co-Founder and Director, Regional Dialogue, Slovenia Oleksandra Romantsova, Executive Director, Center for Civil Liberties, Ukraine

“There are many, many problems in this world that might not be able to be solved in a lifetime,” she said. “But this is one that can be fixed. Given that it was ignored for so long, we need to redouble our efforts and finish the job.”~Channapha Khamvongsa , Founder of Legacies of War (New York Times, 2015) Here at Legacies of War, we hold the words of our Fearless Found to heart and pour our strength and passion towards our mission. We are inspired each day to continue making meaningful strides because it matters to the millions of people living in lands impacted by the scourge of war. No matter how challenging the obstacles ahead of us, as long as we can count on YOUR relentless support and love, we will not give up! It is not often that we are recognized for our team's efforts and words cannot describe our immense happiness to receive the Award of Gratitude from H.E. Ambassador Sisavath Inphachanh, Lao PDR Ambassador to the US and Canada, in appreciation of our dedication to a bomb-free Laos these last 20 years. Thank you, so much, Ambassador Sisavath, your greater team and Lao PDR for such a special gift. We cherish this, your friendship and collaboration, and look forward to creating a new legacy of HOPE together. To all of you, dear friends, you are part of our journey, the struggles and the success. We love you all der and check out these awesome photos as we pause to celebrate! Sera Koulabdara Danae Hendrickson Anna Phommachanthone Taryn Sebba Gabriela Garlo Khamsone Sirimanivong Christopher Phommas Bounthanh Phommasathit Kevin Pohmer ARTICLE22

Our KOUL-Mander is in beautiful Karpacz, Poland at the Economic Forum 🙏🏽 Stay tuned and follow her along her journey!

Huge Congratulations to our long time friend, Bryan Thao Worra and all who contributed to the historic Laomerica 50 exhibit running now until September 27th at the Minneapolis Central Library! This powerful exhibit brings together art, photography, literature and history to explore how we use our voices in a democracy. Over the past five years, the exhibit organizers gathered archival photographs, visual art, short films, textiles, rare books, and cultural objects. These items reflect the Lao community’s memories, traditions, dreams, and visions not only in Minnesota but globally. Laos, often described as a peaceful Eden, has a history marked by turmoil and invasions. The Lao arts traditionally celebrate harmony, nature, truth, wisdom, and compassion, while rejecting violence—a challenging goal, but a legacy many still reach for even as far away as America. The show is located on the 2nd floor of the 1,600 foot Cargill Gallery, at 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN. It is open on most days starting at 9AM until 8PM (M-T) and 5PM (F-Su). This exhibit is free to the public and is suitable for families of all ages. Laomerica 50: Democracy and Diaspora coincides with Lao American Artist Heritage Month. It is also a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Lao Center of Minnesota, the 30th anniversary of the Paj Ntaub Voice Hmoob Literary Journal, 20 years of Legacies of War and 10 years of Sahtu Press, the first Lao American publishing company. Among the items on display reflecting the work of Legacies of War are utensils made from unexploded cluster bombs, the replicas of cluster bombs, images from collaborations with the Lao Student Association of Minnesota, as well as the 2010 Legacies of War: Refugee Nation Twin Cities exhibit with Pangea World Theater, Theater TeAda, Intermedia Arts and Lao Center of Minnesota. A book of reproductions of the original illustrations made by villagers in Laos depicting the bombings is also on display, as well as a newspaper where the bombing of Laos made front page news. You can also see a thip khao sticky rice holder shaped like a cluster bomb that was created for the first meeting of state parties during the ratification of the UN Convention on Cluster Munitions. Shout-out to all Lao-American artists who generously contributed original artworks to this exhibit: Nor Sanavongsay, Malichansouk Kouanchao, Bounxou Daoheuang, Ladda Insixiengmay, Bay Koulabdara, Oura Sananikone, Tou Her, Sisavanh Phouthavong, Vongduane Manivong, Tony Innouvong, Loy Khambay-Correa, Kinnary Pimpadubsee, Chantala Kommanivanh, Timothy Singratsomboune, and Krysada Panusith Phounsiri Photo & Video Credits: Huge kop jai lai lai to our Rockstar Advocacy Ambassador , Lam Vong Circle Member, Volunteer Photographer and most importantly, dear friend S. Bay Koulabdara Read more about Laomerica 50 here: https://lnkd.in/ghvtSDqC

"The solution is simple,” emphasizes Koulabdara. "We must find and destroy these UXO before it claims another child’s life. Legacies of War’s answer is to ensure that funding to solve this problem remains a priority for the USG,” she says. "These are American bombs, war trash littering Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. We must hold our country accountable for the clean-up, victims’ assistance and preventive explosive ordnance risk education work. It’s been over 50 years, let’s get the job done!” she stresses. Huge thank you to our friends at Hmong Daily News especially Marc Yablonka and Macy Yang for amplifying the deadly problem of UXO in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam as well as the solution through Legacies' mission. Please read and share the entire interview with our KOUL-Mander in Chief, Sera Koulabdara and Emeritus Board Member, Heather Atherton here: https://lnkd.in/gHr-mngP

Join our Youth Advocacy Ambassador, Layla Lahlou, as she interviews H.E. Ambassador Anouparb Vongnorkeo, 8th Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to the United Nations (UN). Khop jai lai lai der, Ambassador, for sharing more of your story, what you love about Laos, the places you've traveled to in the United States along with your fave state (our KOUL-Mander Sera Koulabdara agrees!), and the important work you do. Do you prefer papaya salad or cucumber salad? (and how many peppers?!) Please answer in the comments and watch until the end to hear the Ambassador's favorite! Special thank you to our Rockstar Advocacy Ambassador Kendall Silwonuk (of ARTICLE22 ) for being our Director of Filming at the UN and our very own Anna Phommachanthone for the final product! https://lnkd.in/gGkrq93W

Join our Youth Advocacy Ambassador, Layla Lahlou, as she interviews H.E. Ambassador Anouparb Vongnorkeo, 8th Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to the United Nations (UN). Khop jai lai lai der, Ambassador, for sharing more of your story, what you love about Laos, the places you've traveled to in the United States along with your fave state (our KOUL-Mander agrees!), and the important work you do. Do you prefer papaya salad or cucumber salad? (and how many peppers?!) Please answer in the comments and watch until the end to hear the Ambassador's favorite! Special thank you to our Rockstar Advocacy Ambassador Kendall Silwonuk for being our Director of Filming at the UN and our very own Anna Phommachanthone for the final product! https://lnkd.in/gGkrq93W

ICYMI: https://lnkd.in/gSp_-N5T Thank you to everyone who joined us earlier today for this powerful event. Please watch and share the recording above. 🙏🏽

"Continued American aid toward the UXO crisis in Laos has largely been spurred by the efforts of Legacies of War , a Lao American-founded and led organization, to raise awareness with the US Congress and constituents. In a landmark moment in 2016, President Obama became the first sitting US President to visit Laos. This visit led to the establishment of the Comprehensive Partnership between Laos and the US, addressing ten key areas including the legacies of war issues. The US is the largest funder of global demining and has allocated over $360 million allocated to demining activities in Laos since 1995. But this pales in comparison to the at least $50 billion the US spent to bomb Laos from 1964-1973. The growing count of UXO survivors, with over half of all accidents involving children under the age of 18, requires aid that is beyond current US funding levels. We need increased support for long-term solutions that will support child survivors as they experience difficulties in school, in vocational training, and the challenges of finding employment with a disability. It is critical that the humanitarian mine action sector and American voters continue to urge the US to afford this crisis the attention and funding it requires." Read More Here:https://lnkd.in/gT4ztuu4 Huge congratulations and deep gratitude for my incredible colleague Danae Hendrickson and our treasured partners and friends Rebecca Derry RN, MSN and Hannah Wild for their time, passion and relentless care on this vital piece published by Inkstick Media. 🙏🏽

Today is #InternationalYouthDay2024 🙏🏽 "As we approach International Youth Day this year, we must work harder to prioritize the safety of our youths from UXO in Laos and all countries impacted by legacy ordnance. Despite the odds, the children who have been injured from explosives have shown great courage and a hopeful outlook on life. Their bravery and stories of resiliency remind us that with the right amount of support, all UXO survivors can live extraordinary lives, contributing to their families and being an integral part of their communities. Let’s ensure that this is possible for our future generations." Read more: https://lnkd.in/gK4Vwk8A Legacies of War's very own, Danae Hendrickson , Chief of Mission Advancement and Communications, is proud to collaborate with two of our amazing partners to publish this vital piece in hopes that we can all continue to lift our voices for children in war-impacted communities like Laos and beyond. Co-Authors along with Danae: Rebecca Derry RN, MSN is the World Education Country Director in Lao PDR, utilizing her expertise as an experienced nurse and seasoned development worker to support UXO survivors. Hannah Wild, M.D. is a General Surgery Resident at the University of Washington who leads the Explosive Weapons Trauma Care Collaborative (EXTRACCT). Special thank you to our friends Instick Media for publishing. 🙏🏽 World Education