War Resisters' International

Mon

Jan

2016

A conscientious objector reflects on receiving cards on Prisoners for Peace day

New translation available

Submitted by hannah

International Prisoners for Peace Day has been celebrated on December 1st for years. The purpose of the day is to provoke conversation and commemorate peace prisoners with...

Thu

Nov

New Publication: Counter-Recruitment Campaigns Internationally

WRI's new booklet, Countering Military Recruitment: Learning the lessons of counter-recruitment campaigns internationally, is out now. The booklet includes examples of campaigning against youth militarisation across different countries with the contribution of grassroot activists.

You can order a paperback version here.

Thu

Nov

New Publication: Counter-Recruitment Campaigns Internationally

Submitted by jenh on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 15:53

You can order a paperback version here.

‘Countering the militarisation of youth’ is one of WRI’s major areas of work. In making this booklet, we set out to investigate one part of this activism: campaigns to counter the recruitment of young people by armed forces and armed groups.

Mon

May

5th International Week of Action Against the Militarisation of Youth to take place between 12-18 November

Submitted by antimili-youth on Mon, 07/05/2018 - 15:01

On 12-18 November this year, activists from across the world are taking action against the militarisation of young people in their countries, cities and towns.

Join us this November in this global action with your own nonviolent actions and events!

The International Week of Action Against the Militarisation of Youth is a concerted effort of antimilitarist actions across the world to raise awareness of, and challenge, the ways young people are militarised, and to give voice to alternatives. The week is coordinated by War Resisters' International.

Fri

Feb

Activists countering youth militarisation gather in London

Submitted by antimili-youth on Fri, 09/02/2018 - 17:36

In February, activists from different European countries met in London as part of a War Resisters' International training on countering youth militarisation and its gendered dimensions.

The gathering was held on 2-4 February, and included activists from AKL (Union of Conscientious Objectors) and Committee of 100 from Finland, Nesehnuti from Czech Republic, DFG-VK and BSV from Germany, Movimento Nonviolento from Italy, Centre Delàs from Catalonia, and the Peace Pledge Union and ForcesWatch from the UK.

Fri

Dec

International Week of Action Against the Militarisation of Youth held for the fourth time

Submitted by antimili-youth on Fri, 15/12/2017 - 20:34

In 20-26 November 2017, many activists from around the world took action against the militarisation of young people in their countries, cities and towns. This was part of a global action: the International Week of Action Against the Militarisation of Youth.

Initiated by War Resisters' International, the week was held for the 4^th time this year. Throughout 20-26 November, groups from South Korea, Greece, Israel to the USA and many other places, organised their autonomous actions, workshops, vigils and other events. Touching upon various issues, activists raised awareness on, and challenged, those many ways young people's minds and bodies are recruited into war and violence.

Mon

Nov

This week is the International Week of Action Against the Militarisation of Youth

Submitted by antimili-youth on Mon, 20/11/2017 - 14:59

This week (20-26 November) is the International Week of Action Against the Militarisation of Youth. During the week activists from various countries will be taking actions and organising events to raise awareness of how the military and military values are promoted to young people, and how we can challenge it.

In Czech Republic, NESEHNUTÍ is organising a screening of the movie “Výchova k válce” (Education for War), followed by a panel session on the militarisation of education in the country.

In Israel, activists from the Mesarvot network - a solidarity network supporting political conscientious objectors in Israel - is organising a demonstration in Tel Aviv in support of the young refuser, Matan Hellman, who's declaring his conscientious objection on 20th November.

Thu

Oct

3rd International Week of Action Against the Militarisation of Youth, 14-20 November

Join us this November and stand against the militarisation of youth with many others from all around the world. Your voice, your nonviolent actions and events will contribute to our growing international movement!

Fri

May

WRI Statement for International Conscientious Objection Day

Submitted by antimili-youth on Fri, 15/05/2015 - 17:36

15th May is International Conscientious Objection Day - a joint day of action used by peace activists around the world to support those who refuse to be part of the militarist system, as well as to remember and learn from conscientious objectors of past generations.

Those who resist war and preparations for war expose the military for what it is. As Yeook Yang, from World Without War, a WRI affiliate in South Korea, tells us: "In a highly militarised society where any discussion of the military is taboo, conscientious objectors are making it clear that the military exists only to kill."

For us, conscientious objection is part of a wider nonviolent struggle to transform oppressive and violent systems, and show an alternative way.

Take action

Here are some ways you can support conscientious objectors around the world today:

Wed

Nov

Report from the week of action for military-free education and research

Submitted by hannah on Wed, 19/11/2014 - 14:59

The first ever international week of action for military-free education and research was held between 25-31 October 2014. This follows on from a day of action last year. Antimilitarists across the world took action to raise awareness, and challenge, the role the military has in education and research in educational institutions. This role gives them access to young people - to lay the groundwork for recruitment later in life, and to promote military values.

Different groups used the week of action in different ways. Some challenged military presence in schools through direct action, some publicly debated the presence of the military in education, others showed films, wrote articles, and campaigned on social media.

Fri

Nov

Extended deadline: War Resisters' International is hiring

Submitted by hannah on Fri, 14/11/2014 - 10:08

Applications have reopened for the position of Countering the Militarisation of Youth Programme Worker.

More information can be found on the main War Resisters' International website: http://www.wri-irg.org/CMOYWorker

We look forward to receiving applications from people committed to nonviolence, with fundraising skills (or willingness to learn) and experience of nonviolent campaigning. Applicants should have knowledge of English and another language, and be willing to travel. All applicants should feel able to sign the WRI declaration: 'War is a crime against humanity. I am therefore determined not to support any kind of war, and to strive for the removal of all causes of war'. Full job descriptions and application forms can be found on the advert.

The closing date is 23 November, midnight (UTC).