New Leadership announced for ICBL-CMC

The ICBL-CMC is pleased to announce that its Governance Board has approved a new chair and vice-chairs for the coming year, effective 31 March, 2024.
Alma Taslidžan of Humanity and Inclusion, also known as Handicap International, has been unanimously approved as the next Board chair, replacing Steve Goose of Human Rights Watch.
Ayman Sorour of Protection and Camilo Serna of the Campaña Colombiana Contra Minas have generously accepted to serve as co-Vice Chairs of the Governance Board, replacing Paul Hannon of Mines Action Canada.
Alma, Ayman, and Camilo have committed to carrying out these offices over the coming year (until January 2025), when the Governance Board will review and reconfirm or reassign these unpaid positions.

More information on the new chair and vice-chairs and the experience they bring to their new roles is listed hereunder:

Alma Taslidžan of Humanity and Inclusion, ICBL-CMC Chair

Alma is the Disarmament and Protection of Civilians Advocacy Manager at Humanity and Inclusion, formerly known as Handicap International, one of the six original co-founders of the ICBL. She has worked in various capacities for HI since 2007, devoting her career to recognizing the rights of the most marginalized groups and influencing or changing policies for better living conditions and the fulfillment of basic human rights. Alma has a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Sarajevo. She is an expert advocate and strategist with significant fundraising, lobbying, management, and capacity-building expertise. Alma has served as the chair of the ICBL-CMC sub-committee on human resources. Alma is honored and excited to become the ICBL-CMC Chair at a time when it is more important than ever that civil society remains strongly engaged in the fight against landmines and cluster munitions. She is fully committed to taking on this Chair responsibility and contributing to the continued success of the ICBL-CMC. Alma is based in Brussels. She speaks Bosnian, English, and French.

Ayman Sorour of Protection, ICBL-CMC Vice-Chair

Ayman's organization, Protection against Armaments and Their Consequences, joined the ICBL in 1998. He has contributed research and writing to the Landmine Monitor reporting initiative since its inception in 1999, convening numerous regional meetings and Monitor launch events. Protection co-founded the CMC in 2003, and Ayman campaigned for the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, working relentlessly since then to promote the convention's universalization and implementation. Ayman is a member of the Governance Board's sub-committees on membership and on finance, audit, and legal matters. He brings in-depth knowledge of landmines and cluster munitions, especially in the Middle East and North Africa. Ayman is passionate about promoting the ICBL-CMC's work and wants to ensure the campaign engages with as many stakeholders as possible, including in different languages and with inclusive messaging. He is keen to see the ICBL-CMC continue its valuable advocacy and high research standards. Ayman divides his time between Cairo and Paris. He speaks Arabic, English, and French.

Camilo Serna of the Campaña Colombiana Contra Minas, ICBL-CMC Vice-Chair

Camilo has worked for the Colombian campaign against landmines (Campaña Colombiana Contra Minas) for the past 22 years and has been centrally involved in the ICBL and CMC throughout that time. His organization has expanded its mission from its initial advocacy and campaigning focus to undertake research, carry out mine action projects, and assist victims of landmines in Colombia. Camilo heads the ICBL-CMC Governance Board's finance, audit, and legal sub-committee. Camilo has significant experience in the fight to ban landmines and cluster munitions. He brings expertise in administration, management, finance, and legal affairs. Like Ayman, Camilo stands ready to support Alma as the new Chair and the ICBL-CMC staff team. Camilo is based in Bogotá. He speaks Spanish and English.