The Mine Action Information Center (MAIC) at James Madison University is soliciting articles for The Journal of Mine Action. The Journal focuses on the safe and efficient identification, destruction, and eradication of antipersonnel landmines around the world. 

Because of the wide range of interests addressed by MAIC and the global Mine Action community, submissions will vary in length, style, and structure. Supporting photos and graphics are welcome. Our upcoming issues include:

Version 3.2 – Publication June 1999

Mechanically Assisted Demining Technologies

We are encouraging submission and actively soliciting articles on current technologies and development regarding mechanical mine clearance, clearance support (vegetation cutters, flails, etc), and machine-mounted detectors and other sensors. Mine-protected support vehicles are also of interest. We strongly encourage sharp photographs of the equipment, preferably in action, to be posted along with the articles themselves. The articles should be less "sales pitch" and more how the attributes of the equipment contribute to the cost-effectiveness of Mine Action and ordnance clearing operations.

Deadline for Submission: May 28, 1999

 

Version 3.3 – Publication October 1999

Victim and Survivor Assistance

The plight of landmine victims and survivors (families, communities, and nations) is an area where more attention and more focus are desperately needed by the international community. We are soliciting articles from a wide variety of aid agencies and individuals involved in the physical and mental health fields that want to share their success stories and challenges with the global mine action community. Once again, photos are encouraged to portray the scope and content of the victim assistance activities around the world. These articles can also address medical issues, rehabilitation issues, psychological and stress issues, and any other aspect that surrounds the impact of landmines on human body and psyche.

Deadline for Submission: October 1, 1999

 

Also wanted:

1. Current Activities and Operations

These activities include, but are not limited to, mine clearing, mine awareness, training methods and techniques, mine dog programs, minefield identification, surveying, marking and management, host-country program management, logistics support to demining operations, landmine handling, transportation, storage and disposal methods, medical techniques for landmine injuries, trauma management, field medicine, and public information and media relations.

2. Current Issues and Challenges

The wide scope of landmine issues has created many challenges and systematic shortfalls for Mine Action efforts. There are regional and country-specific issues that could provide the demining community with various solutions to many demining activities. (See note)

3. Current Technologies and Research

Significant effort is being invested in developing more efficient and effective methods of humanitarian demining that improves on the basic "man-with-a-prod" approach to demining. This research and body of knowledge cross functional disciplines, providing an opportunity to leverage limited funding with other efforts to expedite the fielding and use of modern demining technologies and methods.

Also Needed...

Six-month calendars of events and activities to share with the demining community. Profiles or features on demining individuals. Identification data to ensure currency of our global demining directory.

 

Please send submissions and questions to...

Mine Action Information Center
Attention: Journal Staff
James Madison University
University Boulevard - MSC 4003
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807, USA

Tel: 540.568.2718
Fax: 540.568.8176
Email: maic@jmu.edu

Please Note: Articles that are predominantly political statements will not be considered unless a clear relevance to removing existing mines from the ground is established.

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The Journal requests that submissions be electronic or on disk, if at all possible, and be accomplished in Microsoft Word version 6.0 or higher (Times New Roman 12pt font, please). Graphics and photos are encouraged. English is the accepted language but foreign phrases and words accompanied by English translation are acceptable.

Articles

The Journal requests that articles be no fewer than 500 words and no longer than 1,500 words unless the length is needed to adequately cover the subject.

Images

• Original photos be included if at all possible.
• If not possible, digital images of photos should be a minimum of 300 dpi.
• Please do not embed images into Word documents as it automatically decreases the resolution to an unusable level for print purposes.
• TIFF format is preferred, but JPEG format is acceptable. GIF formatted photos cannot be used for print.
• Line art such as line graphs and organizational charts should be 600 dpi if the original is not available

Profiles

The Journal is soliciting profiles of individuals and organizations involved directly, or peripherally, in Mine Action. These pieces must show a direct link with demining. This is not advertisement space for corporate associates.

Demining News & Notes

News items should be short, no more than a paragraph with a date and a title. A published news item will describe an event or activity as well as the source of the information.

Demining Calendar & Activities

Activities and events calendar entries should be concise, answering the basic Who, What, When, and Where issues of the activity or event. The Journal asks that sources and contacts be provided for further inquiry. Reviews of demining-related web sites are also encouraged. These reviews will be 200-400 words in length. The web sites must support humanitarian demining and mine action. Please direct any inquiries or submissions to the Mine Action Information Center.