On October 8, 2024, Adnan Hadrovic, co-founder of the Maryland Bosnia and Herzegovina Exchange Council (MBHEC), attended the Marshall Legacy Institute’s 2024 Clearing the Path Gala at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, D.C. This event celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Children Against Mines Program (CHAMPS), recognizing milestones in mine action and honoring individuals for their remarkable contributions to creating a safer world.
Highlights included the Survivor of the Year Award presented to Mileyni Ramirez Guevara, a landmine survivor from Colombia, and the Humanitarian Service Award given to Perry Baltimore for his dedication to mine action. The keynote speaker was Dr. Bisera Turkovic, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Through CHAMPS, children worldwide learn about the dangers of landmines and collaborate with international peers to promote a mine-free world. Since 2004, CHAMPS has connected youth from 16 U.S. states with students in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Colombia, Iraq, Vietnam, and Yemen.
MBHEC and the Marshall Legacy Institute are finalizing a partnership aimed at expanding CHAMPS’ mission throughout Maryland. This initiative will involve visits to elementary and secondary schools and community groups to raise awareness about landmines and their impact on affected populations. The Gala provided a valuable opportunity for MBHEC to demonstrate its support for MLI’s mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina and worldwide. This aligns closely with MBHEC’s mission under the State Partnership Program to foster mutual understanding and collaboration across borders, emphasizing the civil-to-civil component of the SSP.
