Cluster bomb campaign thanks Thomas Nash

Also available here: http://www.stopclusterbombs.org.nz/2011/02/02/anzcmc-thanks-thomas-nash/

New Zealander Thomas Nash, 31 years, has stepped down as coordinator of the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC), the international parent of the Aotearoa New Zealand Cluster Munition Coalition (ANZCMC). Thomas, who finished on 31 January 2011, intends to remain active in the coalition as he begins work on a new initiative to tackle the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

In a farewell message to the campaign, Thomas described the experience of coordinating the Cluster Munition Coalition as "the most enriching endeavour I have ever undertaken." He called on all members of the CMC and its sister body, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), to "remain as determined and energetic as you have always been in carrying forward the work to eradicate mines and cluster bombs."

Thomas's new work will see him facilitating civil society efforts to enhance the protection of civilians from all types of explosive weapons used in populated areas. He describes this as "a natural progression from our work to protect civilians from the use of cluster bombs." The project is supported by London-based Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) and Norwegian People's Aid (NPA).

Born in Palmerston North, Nash graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in the year 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and French. He went on to work as executive assistant to New Zealand's disarmament Ambassador Clive Pearson (now deceased) at permanent mission in Geneva. Nash assisted Ambassador Pearson to prepare for the conference that resulted in the 2001 UN Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons (PoA). He also participated in meetings of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, where he came to know members of the civil society movement known as the ICBL.

After marrying Paula Eyzaguirre in 2003, Nash relocated to Ottawa, Canada where he worked for ICBL member Mine Action Canada on the campaign to ban cluster munitions, which was formally launched at the end of that year. Nash took on coordination of the Cluster Munition Coalition in 2004, a position he held for the next seven years.

In the first years of the campaign, Thomas worked with a steering committee of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to grow the movement and advocate for international action to stop civilian harm caused by cluster munitions. He documented the humanitarian impacts caused by Israel's use of cluster munitions in Lebanon, including the August 2006 conflict. On behalf of the CMC, Thomas worked closely with Norway as it launched the diplomatic Oslo Process to create an international instrument to tackle the weapon. Thomas engaged with other core group governments, including New Zealand, as they steered the process through Lima, Vienna, Wellington, and other capitals to the May 2008 adoption of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Dublin, Ireland. Since the convention was opened for signature in December 2008, Thomas has worked to ensure its universalisation and implementation.

At the conclusion of the Convention's historic First Meeting of States Parties-held in November 2010 in Vientiane, Lao PDR-Thomas announced his intent to step down as CMC coordinator. A hiring process is currently underway to the next director of the Cluster Munition Coalition. Nash will continue to work from the AOAV office in London, where the CMC has been based since 2005.

The ANZCMC congratulates Thomas on his enormous contribution to the creation of a world without cluster bombs. We are proud of the dedication and commitment that Thomas has shown to this cause. We wish Thomas all the best in his future endeavours.

ENDS

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