The Marshall Legacy Institute

The Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI) is a Virginia-based 501(c)3 nonprofit that was formed in 1997 to extend the vision of Nobel Peace Laureate George C. Marshall by alleviating suffering and promoting hope, growth, and stability in war-torn countries.  For many nations, a primary obstacle to achieving sustainable progress is the deadly legacy of landmines, the relics of armed conflicts that often ended long ago.  Landmines halt agricultural production, impede economic growth, slow the return of refugees, instill fear, and kill and maim innocent citizens on a daily basis, injuring or killing at least one person every 40 minutes.

Thus, MLI’s primary mission is to establish practical, affordable, and sustainable indigenous programs to help severely mine-affected countries rid their land of the horrific scourge of landmines and deal with their lasting impacts.  This includes the development, expansion, and sustainment of theMine Detection Dog Partnership Program (MDDPP), which provides Mine Detection Dogs (MDDs) to accelerate the pace of landmine clearance operations; the Survivors’ Assistance program, which helps those who have been injured by landmines; and the Children Against Mines Program (CHAMPS), which promotes global citizenship and involves American youth in meaningful service-learning projects to help children living in war-torn countries who have been injured by landmines.  These three programs: 1) provide valuable resources, especially mine detection dogs (MDDs), for landmine clearance; 2) educate citizens about the dangers of mines;  3) train national leaders charged with mine action responsibilities; and 4) assist landmine survivors with physical and psychological needs.  MLI provides resources and training to help countries build their own affordable, practical and sustainable humanitarian demining programs.