Foreword to “We made it happen" - A Portrait of the Oslo Process to Ban Cluster Munitions and the Human Suffering that Triggered it”, by Werner Anderson

This book (*) by Werner Anderson has been produced specially for the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) Signing Conference in Oslo 2–4 December 2008.

The images in this book remind us of the true dimension of the Convention: to bring an end to the unacceptable humanitarian suffering caused by cluster munitions.

Cluster munitions kill and maim civilians both at the time of use and for a long time after the end of conflict. It was the documented humanitarian impact of cluster munitions over several decades that spurred the international community to take action. The result is a comprehensive ban on an entire category of conventional weapons.

The Convention will both prevent further use of cluster munitions and lead to the destruction of existing stockpiles. The provisions on clearance of cluster munition remnants, on international cooperation and assistance, and on victim assistance are strong and clear, and will have an immediate effect on the ground.

Thus, the Convention provides a framework for states and organisations to intensify their efforts to alleviate the human suffering caused by these weapons.

After several failed efforts to negotiate a prohibition on cluster munitions in various forums, the Norwegian Government took the initiative to start a new and different process. The first conference in the Oslo Process was held in February 2007, and little more than one year later, the Dublin Diplomatic Conference adopted the Convention on Cluster Munitions by consensus.

This demonstrates what can be achieved when you base your work on the facts on the ground, cooperation across traditional boundaries, and a strong partnership between states, civil society and international organisations. It was thus possible to muster political will and commitment at all levels, and to ensure that the necessary resources were made available.

Above all, the Convention would not have come into being without the instrumental partnership with civil society. This partnership was characterised by mutual respect for our different roles, and the ability to listen to each other with an open mind. We were able to develop a common perception of the problem and the most appropriate response.

At the same time, including civil society at the negotiation table has been an efficient way of ensuring that our discussions are based on the realities on the ground.

However, the realities on the ground have been brought into the negotiating room not only by humanitarian organisations, but also by cluster munitions survivors and by photographers and filmmakers. Facts and figures, images and photographs documenting the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions have provided the basis for our work, the justification – and the inspiration.

Through photographs such as those presented in this book (*), we come one step closer to the people whose lives are most affected.

The Convention on Cluster Munitions is a reality. We have made it happen.

And as we strive to implement its provisions, it is my hope that this book, which will be distributed to all the participants at the conference – ministers, diplomats, humanitarian workers – will inspire us all to intensify our efforts.

The book tells the real story of the unacceptable human suffering that cluster munitions cause. 

Oslo, November 2008 

(*) And exhibited at the Town Hall Gallery, Oslo, 27 November – 14 December 2008