Only ‘Show and Tell’? Latest news on Scottish Parliament Petition
04/12/2017
After hearing from the armed forces, the Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee has decided they need to hear more from ForcesWatch and Quakers in Scotland before making decisions about our petition calling for greater guidance and scrutiny around military visits to schools.
ForcesWatch comment
Dissenting from the Old Lie
11/11/2017
Every year, the fury levied at those who critique or refuse the red poppy obscures the complexity and spectrum of views such dissenters open up. What is lost in this explosion of vitriol and misunderstanding is the opportunity to allow us, as empathic human beings, to be open to divergent viewpoints, to think honestly about wars and to discuss their causes.
Forceswatch Comment
Take Action on Militarism 2017 pack launch
02/11/2017
ForcesWatch comment
We report from the day of talks and workshops to launch the Take Action on Militarism pack which is designed to equip and support those challenging militarism in their communities.
Making it 18 – the SNP votes yes to raising the age of recruitment
16/10/2017
ForcesWatch comment
Douglas Beattie reports on an important campaigning moment.
SNP adopt #MakeIt18
10/10/2017
Various
A passionate debate was held on Sunday 8 October at the SNP Conference on Raising the Minimum Age of Military Recruitment to 18. The motion was passed!
Is pushing the cadets really in pupils’ best interests?
09/10/2017
Cadet units are not a social panacea but a recruitment tool. Our article, published in Schools Week, critiques the social impact report being used by the MoD to validate the expansion of cadets in state schools.
ForcesWatch comment
The Ministry of Defence has no place in our schools
07/10/2017
Children don’t need militarism. They need a decent learning environment, writes Rhianna Louise. Our piece in The Morning Star about the latest announcement of more cadet units in schools and the problematic social impact report that has been published to support this.
ForcesWatch comment
From the classroom to the frontline – schools must be careful what they teach kids about the army
06/10/2017
This article by. Lecturer in Global Ethics at the University of Birmingham, explores the dangers involved in miltary activity in schools and for the youngest recruits. It emphasises the moral risks and the 'moral exploitation' involved.
The Conversation
Innovation not conformity
06/10/2017
Dr Brian Belton, a leading international authority on youth work, gives his thoughts on the report: What is the social impact resulting from the expenditure on cadets? He argues that, 'the modern world does not require conformity, it demands innovation'.
Dr Brian Belton and ForcesWatch
Why We Must Take Children Out Of Military Environments
22/09/2017
With former 17 former Army Foundation College Harrogate instructors facing court martial for mistreating recruits- including actual bodily harm and battery, we look at the evidence that military environment facilitate threats to child welfare. This article was first published on Huffington Post
ForcesWatch comment