A cross-country educational journey of landmine campaigners will stop in front of the Memorial Union today at noon.

The Ban Bus carries six activists who will tell about their experiences with landmines and inform people of the dangers they present.

The journey of the Ban Bus started at Berkeley University in San Francisco and will end in Ottawa, Canada, on Dec. 3 or 4 for the signing of the international treaty to ban the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of landmines.

More than 100 nations are expected to sign the treaty in Ottawa.

“The bus is traveling across the U.S. because, as of right now, President Clinton is not sure he wants to sign the treaty,” said Katy Hansen from the United Nations Association of Iowa (UNA).

Six campaigners from the United States and abroad will speak about their experiences living and working in the mined countries of Afghanistan, Angola, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Chechyna, Mozambique and Cambodia.

They will also discuss other necessary measures to eradicate landmines.

The six activists aboard the bus come from varied backgrounds involving landmines.

Australian photographer John Rodsted is one member of the Ban Bus who has photographed landmine crises and deminers, as well as landmine survivors and campaigners.

Hansen said some of Rodsted’s pictures may be displayed at the Memorial Union Thursday.

Mine Awareness Instructor Mette Sosie Eliseussen of Norway has worked in Kabul, Afghanistan, organizing mine awareness education for children.

Aboard the bus will also be landmine survivor Usman Fitrat of Afghanistan.

Michael Hand of the United Kingdom has worked in Bosnia and Chechnya as a deminer.

Also traveling aboard the bus are Dalma Foldes, an exhibitions organizer from Sweden, and Jill Greenberg of the U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines and the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation.

Hansen said the six might be handing out postcards to those who would like to write to the White House or their representatives to let them know they agree with the landmine ban.

The program the activists put on will emphasize education, Hansen said.

They want people to know how to spot landmines and how to avoid them.

“This campaign is not just these six individuals. It is hundreds of non-government organizations, like UNA, putting pressure on the government to get something done about landmines,” Hansen said.

The UNA and other non-government organizations do not work directly with the government or the United Nations.

“Right now, the U.N. is having talks to reduce armaments — but they wouldn’t discuss landmines separately,” Hansen said. “The talks are taking a long time. It is a slow process.”

Hansen also said local residents can help by writing the White House or calling them at (202) 456-1111. Members of Congress can also be contacted through the capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or (202) 225-3121.