National Counter-Recruitment and Demilitarization Conference

  

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The conference schedule and workshops list are now available online. 7/11/09

NNOMY has confirmed dozens of workshops for July's conference. In addition to basic skills workshops (Counter-Recruitment 101, Arts and Activism, and more), see the descriptions below for some of the sessions we are pleased will be offered.  Check back soon for a full schedule!

• Race, Class & Culture in Counter-Recruiting

Learn how economic class and cultural practices inform the reception of recruitment rhetoric in specific ethnic and working-class communities. Explore the importance of recognizing class and ethnic difference in approaching certain constituencies. Presenters: Jorge Mariscal (Project YANO, UC-San Diego), Gina Perez (Oberlin College), John Marquez (Northwestern University)

• Alternatives to the Military

Discover the importance of making alternative career options central to CR work in schools/ communities. Presenters will make sources for alternatives available and describe effective strategies for working cross-issue with community organizations and groups to fund, create, and expand alternatives. Explore different ways to present alternatives (web/hard copy/career fair, etc.) and learn how to expand access for immigrants. Presenters: Ann Lennon (Carolina-AFSC), Michelle Cohen (CAMS)

• Camouflaged: Combating Military Recruitment in the Classroom

This workshop will provide educators and counter-recruitment activists an opportunity to experience lessons/activities from "Camouflaged: Investigating How the U.S. Military Affects You and Your Community." "Camouflaged" is a model curriculum for educators to engage students in unpacking how the war and the military are affecting their communities. The curriculum includes units on the Dream Act, Cost of War, History of Military Recruitment Propaganda, and more from various disciplinary views (including social science, math, etc). Presenter: Edwin Mayorga (NYCORE)

• Queer Counter-Recruitment

With Obama preparing to undo the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, the military is preparing programs and materials to recruit queer youth. These programs will exploit the isolation and oppression felt by many queer youth and recruiters will lie to queers (and everyone else) about the benefits of military service while hiding the truth of imperialism. By engaging in queer counter-recruitment, we protect and strengthen our queer communities while undermining US imperialism. In this workshop, we will provide a context around queer militarism and develop some concrete strategies for engaging in queer counter-recruitment. Presenters: Ben Yager and Ariel Schwenkler (Bash Back! Denver)