International Day of Action For Military-Free Education and Research

Friday 14 June 2013 will be an International Day of Action For Military-Free Education and Research. Inspired by the week of action that took place in many German towns and cities in September 2012, and ahead of the planned week of international action in 2014, the 2013 day of action will see groups, organisations, and individuals from the USA, India, the UK, Chile, Israel - plus hopefully South Korea, South Africa, Australia, Spain, Venezuela, and others – to join those in Germany challenging the presence and influence of the military in their countries' education systems, from recruiters' visits to schools to the government funding of military research, and the privileging of military approaches associated with this.

Those taking action will use the same slogan (International Day of Action For Military-Free Education and Research), and they might want to use a similar logo to that of the German network, but they have autonomy in deciding what action - or actions - they do. Here are some ideas for actions: sharing photos of pupils, teachers, parents and others holding placards with statements criticising the privileging of the military within education, and calling for alternatives (Gillian Wearing-style); doing a piece of protest theatre; and writing to heads of schools and universities challenging them about their compliance.

The WRI office will support any member groups or individuals who want to take action. We will publish descriptions and photos of actions on our website, and the German network will do the same on their website. We will also be circulating relevant news and resources in the five weeks before the day itself. It's not too late to get involved! See www.wri-irg.org/node/21378 for more information, and email owen@wri-irg if you are interested in taking part, or if you have ideas for actions.