What would Lennon do on Liverpool’s Armed Forces Day?
ForcesWatch Comment
"Peace is possible, and it isn't just inevitable to have violence... so advertise yourself that you're for peace if you believe in it." Imagine John Lennon alive today, with a ticket to ride back to his hometown, Liverpool, on 24 June 2017, the day that the city hosts Armed Forces Day.
Let’s Give Peace a Chance on Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day is on Saturday 24 June, or 17 June in some places. Over 350 events which package war as entertainment with military vehicles, weapons and recruiting stalls will be taking place across the UK. The national event is taking place in Liverpool. Here we list alternative events that are challenging the militarism of Armed Forces Day with vigils and events promoting peace.
#GE2017: info & questions for candidates
ForcesWatch comment
A brief roundup of manifesto pledges on defence and security and some questions for your candidates on their support for a more sustainable and ethical security policy, one that does not result in the promotion of military intervention or military interests within education and civil society.
Do You Know The Agenda Behind Your School’s STEM Provision?
ForcesWatch and Scientists for Global Responsibility
The military and arms industries are putting large sums of money into our education system and into STEM educational material for schools. Science4Society Week is a chance to focus on learning from less destructive employers.
Armed forces visits to Scottish schools – a ‘big issue’
ForcesWatch comment
Our petition lodged at Holyrood along with Quakers in Scotland on military visits to schools has taken a significant step forward.
Military recruitment of under-18s debated in Westminster
ForcesWatch comment
We report on the recent debate in Parliament arguing that the age of recruitment to the UK armed forces be raised.
Army life: the other side of the story
ForcesWatch comment
Telling adolescents that they can resolve their need to belong by joining the Army is simplistic and one-sided. The reality is many aspects of army life are potentially harmful, especially to vulnerable individuals. The other side of the story needs to be told. This is a longer version of an article first published by The Huffington Post
Teaching Remembrance: focusing on ‘why?’
A history teacher from Coventry got in touch with ForcesWatch to share her experience of teaching Remembrance to year nine classes this year after reading the resource Rethinking Remembrance in Schools: 'Teaching about Remembrance this year was a vastly different experience for me than previous years'.
Scottish petition makes headway
ForcesWatch comment
Members of the Scottish Parliament have agreed to seek further evidence on our joint petition – with Quakers in Scotland – calling for greater scrutiny and guidance around military visits to schools.
The British Legion wants us to ‘Rethink Remembrance’ but they are not the only ones
ForcesWatch comment
The Royal British Legion is asking the public to 'Rethink Remembrance'. Can we remember without obscuring the realities of war and overlaying this important act with militarism?
