Countering the Militarisation of Youth

International Conference Germany 2012

Darmstadt, 8-10 June 2012

War Resisters International are looking for individuals and organisations to collaborate on and contribute to its 2012 conference 'Countering the Militarisation of Youth'. One of the aims of the project is to create a snap shot of the ways in which youth are being increasingly militarised, to that end we would welcome hearing from you about developments in your area.

“In Europe, and to some degree on a global level, there are presently two trends which both contribute to an increased militarisation of youth. The first trend is the end (or, more exactly, the suspension) of conscription in most European countries since the 1990s. The second trend is one of an increasing “normalisation of war” stemming from the 'war on terror' and the use of military force as a means of politics. Both trends reinforce each other in strengthening the militarisation of youth from an early age on- something we are committed to working against”

WRI are looking to foster an ongoing regional and multi-regional network of cooperating anti-militarist organisations. The overarching objective of the conference is strengthening the work against the militarisation of youth in Europe (and beyond) by providing opportunities for people to exchange skills and experience of working in this field and to create/strengthen networks and relationships across the region.

WRI are looking to collaborate on all levels of the planning and delivery of this project from organisational logistics through to content and session planning and delivery.

People with any experience in counter recruitment, anti-war, and peace activism are welcome. WRI have identified the following general themes for the conference and any person or organisation with specific expertise, or a willingness to develop knowledge, in these areas are especially welcome. We also look forward to being made aware of other pressing issues relating to the militarisation of youth that are not identified in this list.

• Nationalism and patriotism
• Military in education
• Culture of militarism
• Military in public spaces
• Military recruitment strategies
• Military masculinities and Queer Resistance

If you would like to collaborate on, contribute to, or attend this conference or there are organisations/individuals in your region that are working on issues such as these, War Resisters International would like to hear from you (please feel free to respond in English, German or Spanish) and can be contacted at the following;

☎ +44-20-7278 4040
☎ +44-20-3355 2364
Fax: +44-20-7278 0444
Email: andreas@wri-irg.org
Web: http://wri-irg.org/militarisationofyouth

Register your interest online: http://wri-irg.org/militarisationofyouth/registration-of-interest