Comment, analysis, news

From the classroom to the frontline – schools must be careful what they teach kids about the army

This article by Jonathan Parry. 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.

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Innovation not conformity

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'.

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Why We Must Take Children Out Of Military Environments

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

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Academics: Armed forces are no place for 16-year-olds

A letter to the Guardian (12/09/17) from more than 50 academics has called for the age of recruitment ot the UK armed forces to be raised to 18. It backs a conference motion from SNP Youth in support of this.

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Arms companies and immorality in education

As the largest arms fair in the world takes place in London, we explore how arms companies have become part of the education system in the UK, despite the concerns for human rights and corruption that surround the defence and security industry.

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Make Art Not War… or both?

Poppy Kohner examines the Army@theFringe season at the Edinburgh Festival and asks what becomes censored when elite institutions take on the programming and hosting of the arts.  

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British Army targets working class kids

The Army's latest recruitment campaign focuses on low income families from cities with high deprivation levels.

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Army recruitment practices exploit and widen class divisions

New evidence confirms that the British Army recruitment marketing deliberately targets working-class young people.

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Stripping the Civilian – how army training isolates, disorientates and dominates recruits

New findings highlight need to protect young people from harsh military training environments and inadequate safeguards in cadet forces.

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The First Ambush: Effects of army training and employment

A new report out today from Veterans For Peace UK details how the Army's training process has a 'forceful impact' on attitudes, health, and behaviour even before recruits are sent to war.

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