The Creeping Militarisation of our Society
A lively workshop run by youngsters involved in MAW (Movement for the Abolition of War) took place during the Berlin IPB Conference. The theme was the way the military attract children to participate in “fun” activities that involve guns, other weapons and training in the military ethos.
The Cadets, for example, organise evenings and week ends away from home, making children feel they are participating in an exciting adventure. The workshop stressed the many ways in which the Army becomes an attractive option, e.g., through parades, military air displays, war games, toy guns, TV, films, etc, in particular for those sectors of the population without many career prospects for the future, filling the gaps in education and minimising images of injury and death related to war.
There was a discussion during which some participants clarified that parents, at least in the UK, have the right to exclude their children from such offers, but in fact this information is not widely known and many believe that attendance is compulsory, in particular in private schools. There have been a number of Court Cases in the US about students and lecturers attempting to block military recruitment in universities.
A youth conference on militarism in British society and its promotion by government in our schools and universities – and how to counteract it.
“Calling all young people! (from MAW website)
The increasing role of the military in schools will be questioned at a ground-breaking MAW conference in the autumn.
The first MAW Youth Conference, The Creeping Militarisation of Our Society, will be held on Saturday, 8 October at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, 10am-4pm.
Journeymen Theatre will perform Over The Top which addresses the issue of militarism in schools. Speakers will include Ben Griffin of Veterans for Peace and David Gee, writer, campaigner and researcher into militarism.
There will be group discussions which hopefully will generate lots of good ideas for action.
The conference is aimed at young people aged roughly 17 to 30 – although other people are also welcome!
Jen Harrison, a member of MAW Youth and one of the organisers, said: “We want to highlight, question and counteract the Government strategy of increasing militarism within schools and universities.
“Since 2011 the Government has spent more than £45 million on promoting educational initiatives with a “military ethos” and earmarked a further £50 million to be spent on expanding the number of cadet forces within state schools.“We wish to present another point of view and attempt to balance official government policy in this area.”
Tickets to the conference are free but should be booked at http://mawyconference.eventbrite.co.uk
Can you help publicise the event?
Please display the poster enclosed in this edition of Abolish War and utilise any contacts you have with sixth forms, universities or youth organisations.
Let us know how you can help by emailing youth@abolishwar.org.uk
