Welsh research exposes military recruitment in schools

Posted: 21st April 2021

New research in Wales has exposed the reality behind the armed forces’ claims that they do not recruit in schools. A new report makes clear that military activities in Welsh schools are acting as a “fig-leaf” for recruitment. As well as leading a number of young people towards signing up to the armed forces, they also recruit a much higher number to a pro-military mindset.

The report, based on two years of research, was published jointly by the Peace Pledge Union, Cymdeithas y Cymod and Forces Watch: https://www.ppu.org.uk/news/revealed-armed-forces-questionable-recruitment-methods-welsh-schools

There is little doubt that the situation is similar in the rest of the UK. What is different about Wales is that the Welsh government made commitments in 2015 to address the issue of military involvement in schools. But the report found that no real progress has been made.

We are now urging the incoming Welsh government to launch a formal review of military activity in schools and to issue new guidance to headteachers to ensure that children and young people hear a range of views on controversial issues.

If you live in Wales, how about emailing your candidates for the upcoming Senedd elections?

You can find a list of Senedd candidates at https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/senedd-election-2021-who-candidates-20337238 

You can find a summary of the report at https://www.ppu.org.uk/Welshschools (English) or https://www.ppu.org.uk/YsgolionCymru (Welsh).

If you receive a response from any Senedd candidates, please let us know! You can forward it on to us at [email protected]

War will end when people refuse to go along with it – join the PPU today

At the Peace Pledge Union, we don’t believe in waiting for politicians and generals to take the lead. We believe that change comes from below. We can all take part in resisting war and militarism, building peace and practising nonviolence.

Since the PPU was launched in 1934, thousands of people have taken the peace pledge, committing themselves not only to rejecting war but to working for peace and tackling the causes of war.

Sign the peace pledge and pay a small annual membership fee to join us today: https://www.ppu.org.uk/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=363&qid=181381

Date for the diary – International Conscientious Objectors’ Day, May 15th

Every year on May 15th we stand in solidarity with conscientious objectors around the world today, as well as remembering those who have refused to participate in war throughout history. Join us for the National Online Ceremony at 4.30pm. There will be a minute’s silence, songs and speeches from around the UK and beyond including:

• Israeli conscientious objector Atalya Ben Abbah
• Natalia García Cortés from War Resisters’ International in Colombia
• Actor Michael Mears live from the Conscientious Objectors’ Commemorative Stone in Tavistock Square, London

Simply visit www.CO-Day.org at the time to watch the live stream. On this page you will also find more events happening on the day, a map of COs around the world and many other resources.

Local Campaign of the Month: Resist the Three Counties Arms Fair!

As the UK gradually opens up after lockdown, it’s not yet clear whether the infamous DSEI arms fair in London will go ahead in September, or the DPRTE arms fair in Farnborough in June.

On a smaller scale, however, plans are underway for the “Three Counties Defence & Security Expo” at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern in Worcestershire (the three counties in question are Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire). It’s sponsored by big global arms dealers such as BAE Systems and Thales.

But the arms dealers won’t get it all their own way! The PPU is pleased to support the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) – and their local group, Three Counties CAAT – in challenging the event.

If you live in the area, or you want to support those who do, you can contact Three Counties CAAT at [email protected] or on Twitter at @CAATThree 

Watch out for more on the PPU website soon!

Events

Visit our website for PPU events, as well as other events that PPU members and supporters are involved in: https://ppu.org.uk/events

Peace Pledge Union
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