Countering youth militarisation in the Czech Republic, Finland, Turkey and the UK
On 5th February, activists from the Czech Republic, Finland, Turkey and the UK are coming together at Housmans Bookshop for a public discussion on countering youth militarisation.
Today militaries, armed groups and others profiting from war are using various ways to access young people, not only to recruit bodies, but also to recruit minds into their military cause. In some countries, youth militarisation is more visible and obvious: young people (mainly, though not exclusively, young men) are forced to join the military through conscription. In other places – including where conscription has been suspended or abolished – governments, arms dealers and other war profiteers have a vested interest in indoctrinating young people to be positive about military actions.
In this public forum organised by War Resisters' International (WRI), we will be discussing what strategies and practices are used by state and non-state actors to convince young people to support their war,and looking at what we can do to counter these strategies. We will be joined by WRI activists from the Czech Republic (NESEHNUTI), Finland (Committee of 100 and Union of Conscientious Objectors, AKL), Turkey and the UK. Join us at 7pm to be part of this discussion and hear from others about their countries and work.