The Convention on Cluster Munitions goes into effect on August 1st!

The Convention on Cluster Munitions goes into effect on August 1st!

For Laotians around the world and others affected by these deadly weapons, it's a meaningful step towards creating a safer world for our children, families and neighbors.

The Convention on Cluster Munitions prohibits all use, stockpiling, production and transfer of Cluster Munitions. Separate articles in the Convention concern assistance to victims, clearance of contaminated areas and destruction of stockpiles, although Laos requires an exemption from the target date for UXO clearance of 2020. During the war for Laos, the US dropped more bombs on Laos than on all of Europe in World War 2.

Over the past 14 years more than 25,000 hectares, just 0.28 percent of the total 87,000 square kilometres contaminated by UXO, has been cleared. Cluster Munitions are the leading cause of unexploded ordnance in Laos, where 33% of all UXO fatalities are children. Many of their parents today weren't even alive during the war for Laos that ended in 1975.

For more information on UXO the non-profit organization Legacies of War www.legaciesofwar.org has done tremendous advocacy work on this issue. You can help by writing your representatives and encouraging them to support increased funds to clear UXO in Laos and Southeast Asia!

MN State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grants!

Minnesota State Arts Board's Artist Initiative Grants!
The next application deadline for the Minnesota State Arts Board's Artist Initiative grant program will be Friday, August 27, 2010.

Artist Initiative grants support and assist artists at various stages in their careers. The program encourages artistic development, nurtures artistic creativity, and recognizes the contributions individual artists make to the creative environment of the state of Minnesota.

Several things about the program are different this year:
— Artists, working in any discipline, are eligible to apply
— The grant range has expanded; artists may request from $2,000 to $10,000
— Projects will need to include a community component
— Applicants will need to apply online, using the Arts Board's Web based forms

Many things about the program are the same as they have been in previous years:
— Artists, at any stages in their careers, may apply
— Grants must be used to fund a specific project that will enhance the applicant's artistic or career development
— Artists will have a one-year period to expend the grant funds.

Visit the Arts Board's Web site for more information about the program and how to apply:
http://www.arts.state.mn.us/grants/artist_initiative.htm

A series of grant information sessions will be held in communities throughout the state, the schedule will be posted during the last week of July.

MA/AHC Health Data Survey needs participants

MA/AHC has been invited to participate on a panel for a Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) summit on data. As a result MA/AHC wants to hear from you what data needs our community has.

They developed a simple survey of 20 questions that should take only 15 minutes. There are no right or wrong answers. Questions include how you do you use data? What type of data is important to your community, etc.

MA/AHC is seeking your input so we can bring your voice and ideas to the panel which will influence how MDH adjusts its health data collection and reporting practices to better meet community needs. Please be sure to read the directions at the top of each page. The survey will close on Friday, August 6, 2010. We appreciate your time and input. SURVEY LINK: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8BRPPT3

Lao American Writer in Asian American Press

Lao American writer Saymoukda Vongsay was featured in Asian American Press: http://aapress.com/arts/operation-gynocracy to discuss her upcoming show this week at Black Dog Cafe at 7pm on Wednesday, July 28th.

Curated with Hmong American writer May Lee-Yang and featuring DJ Kool Akiem, featured talents will include many well-known Twin Cities artists including: Mysnikol Miller, Kelly Fallows, Linda Chanda, Alison Morse, Andrea Jenkins, Lori Young-Williams, Tene Morgan, Rachel Austin Bernstein, Pachee Moua, Heidi Berg, Carrie Stark, and Eva Song Margolis.

Lao Youth Celebrate 1 Year together and Southeast Asians Living Chemically Free!

On Sunday, July 18th, 32 Lao youth and their friends and family from Northwest Hennepin County gathered together to celebrate one year of participation in their youth leadership program, part of the Southeast Asians Living Chemically Free initiative with the Lao Assistance Center and the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council.
The day began with a small pizza party at the Lao Assistance Center offices at 503 Irving Avenue North in Minneapolis, followed by youth carpooling together with their chaperones to Valley Fair in Shakopee Minnesota, where they spent the day celebrating together.
Everyone enjoyed the day and thought it was a good way to demonstrate how much fun life can be without the presence of cigarettes, alcohol or drugs in their lives.
The Lao Assistance Center staff also had certificates for all of the program participants thanking them for their participation. Each year, the youth are organized to convene two community forums for their peers to discuss the importance of living chemically free. Their activities are designed to combine leadership exercises, opportunities for peer support, and education and awareness of how they are often targeted at a young age to be lifelong consumers of hazardous products.
If you're interested in having your youth participate and you live in Northwest Hennepin County, e-mail Kinnaryp@laocenter.org or call 612.374.4967

Assistance Needed for Lao Pictorial History!

The Lao Assistance Center and community supporters are working together to construct a visual history of the Lao American community in Minnesota over the last 30 years.

If you have pictures of life in Minnesota or from your family's history in Laos, we'd love to see them and make them part of our project. We will present highlights of this history during the October 9th celebration at the Crystal Community Center as we pay tribute to 30 years in America. For more information e-mail Bryan Thao Worra at bryant@laocenter.org

Asian Media Access @ FLOW Northside Arts Crawl

The fifth annual FLOW Northside Arts Crawl occurs once a year showcasing various art for the public to see. There will be art booths and exhibitions, musicians, and many exciting activities to participate in. Asian Media Access will have an exhibition booth at this event from 3pm to 8pm on July 24th.

FLOW takes place along W. Broadway. Asian Media Access will be in the New 5 Points Building (KMOJ Building) on W. Broadway and Penn. Ave. N.

The AMA booth will have a media exhibition, origami,calligraphy, and other fun activities. Moreover, this is a good chance for you to learn more about Asian Media Access and Northside arts organizations and make connections or reconnect with the local community. There will also be food, drink, concerts and performances at FLOW!