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Medact

By Medact

Medact is a UK public health charity working to educate and advocate on the wider determinants of health - including war, poverty, and environmental degradation.
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Joanne Hawkins on Regulation - Sheffield Fracking Masterclass

MedactJun 10, 2016

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23:37
Healthy Prescription for a Green New Deal: From Advocacy to Action (live from COP27)

Healthy Prescription for a Green New Deal: From Advocacy to Action (live from COP27)

Streamed live from the COP27 climate talks in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt – Medact members brought together a panel of activists from the global movement for health and climate justice to discuss the need for a transformative Green New Deal that centres the health of people and planet!  Speakers include:  Asad Rehman – War on Want, UK  Omar Elmawi – Stop EACOP, Kenya  Erika Arteaga Cruz – People’s Health Movement, Extractive Industries Circle, Ecuador  Jon Bonifacio – Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, Philippines   Chaired by Dr Abi Deivanayagam, member of Medact and Race & Health.

Nov 17, 202201:14:56
'The Suspect' Author Talk with Rizwaan Sabir & Tarek Younis – July 2022

'The Suspect' Author Talk with Rizwaan Sabir & Tarek Younis – July 2022

What impact has two decades’ worth of policing and counterterrorism had on the state of mind of Muslims in Britain? The Suspect draws on the author’s experiences to take the reader on a journey through British counterterrorism practices and the policing of Muslims.

Join Rizwaan Sabir and Tarek Younis for discussion on the traumatising effects of Sabir’s surveillance, arrest and detention for suspected terrorism.

Writing publicly for the first time about the impacts of these experiences, Sabir argues that these harmful outcomes are not the result of errors in government planning, but the consequences of using a counterinsurgency warfare approach to fight terrorism and police Muslims.

To resist the injustice of these policies and practices, we need to centre our lived experiences and build networks of solidarity and support.

Buy The Suspect now from Pluto Press: https://www.plutobooks.com/9780745338484/the-suspect/

Sign our pledge to challenge Prevent and uphold the duty of care: https://www.medact.org/2022/actions/health-workers-against-prevent/  

Read our report – 'False Positives: the Prevent counter-extremism policy in healthcare': https://www.medact.org/2020/resources/reports/false-positives-the-prevent-counter-extremism-policy-in-healthcare/

Read our report – 'Racism, mental health and pre-crime policing: the ethics of Vulnerability Support Hubs': https://www.medact.org/2021/resources/reports/racism-mental-health-and-pre-crime-policing-the-ethics-of-vulnerability-support-hubs/

Read our report – 'The Public Health Case Against the Policing Bill': https://www.medact.org/2021/resources/briefings/public-health-case-against-policing-bill/

Join the Medact Securitisation of Health Group: https://www.medact.org/membership/groups/securitisation-of-health/ Join Medact as a member: https://www.medact.org/membership/

Jul 06, 202201:19:08
Global Health Watch 6 Launch Event – 30 May 2022

Global Health Watch 6 Launch Event – 30 May 2022

Listen back to the event celebrating the publication of the sixth edition of Global Health Watch.

Hear from speakers who contributed to this essential volume, which integrates rigorous analysis with stories of struggle and hope for radical transformation, at this once-in-a-generation moment of focus on the issue of health justice.

Speakers include:

  • Dr Chiara Bodini, co-editor of GHW
  • Members of the Medact Research Network: Roman Gnaegi, Catia Confortini and Michael Orgel
  • Dr Annabel Sowemimo, sexual and reproductive health doctor and founder of Decolonising Contraception
  • Dr Lauren Paremoer, senior lecturer in the Political Studies Department at the University of Cape Town and member of PHM South Africa
  • Rhiannon Osborne, medical student, organiser with Health for a Green New Deal and Stop Cambo, and member of People’s Health Movement UK.

Global Health Watch (GHW), now in its sixth edition, is the definitive alternative voice on health. Published since 2003, with contributions from activists and academics from around the world, GHW6 integrates rigorous analysis of the social, economic, political and environmental determinants of health with stories of struggle and hope for radical transformation.

The book has been co-produced by People’s Health Movement, Medact, Third World Network, Health Poverty Action, Medico International, ALAMES, Viva Salud and Sama.

This event was held in collaboration with Health Poverty ActionPeople’s Health Movement UK and People’s Health Movement Scotland—please check out their work!

Jun 07, 202201:24:41
A People’s Economy: the fight for health and economic justice

A People’s Economy: the fight for health and economic justice

The online launch of three brand new pamphlets developed by members of the Economic Justice & Health group.

These booklets explore the key campaigning areas of secure housing, tax justice and liveable incomes, and provide an informative resource for those looking to fight against economic and health injustice.

Hear from a great line-up of speakers on the issues covered by the booklets:

  • Guppi Bola, strategist, organiser and co-founder of Decolonising Economics and author of “Reimagining Public Health”
  • Abigail Acheampong, cleaner at Royal London Hospital. UNITE representative and key leader in the campaign that ended outsourcing in England’s biggest NHS trust
  • Representatives from Housing Action Southwark and Lambeth and London Coalition Against Poverty

A decade of austerity policies and vast cuts to public finances have contributed to worsening health for people and communities that are marginalised by our current economic systems.  As members of the health community, our work is as much about caring for those in immediate need as it is about advocating for and building new societal systems in which all are able to live well and thrive.

Download the digital booklets in advance of the event here: https://www.medact.org/2022/resources/briefings/a-peoples-economy-booklets/

Apr 12, 202247:28
Alternative Training on Prevent in Healthcare #4

Alternative Training on Prevent in Healthcare #4

It is possible to create a society in which our collective safety and wellbeing are prioritised. Developing trusting, healthy relationships with all of our patients is essential to this work.

However, Prevent – with the government’s stated aim of identifying “vulnerability to radicalisation” – compromises all of this, and is a source of harm and increased marginalisation.

Why is the NHS the only healthcare system in the world with a legal obligation to engage with such a strategy? What aren’t you being told about Prevent in safeguarding training?

Learn more in our series of online Alternative Trainings on Prevent.

This training will seek to shed light on some unanswered questions about Prevent. We will hear from:

  • Latifa Akay—writer, producer and Head of Collective Care at Act Build Change. Prior to this, Latifa worked as Director of Education at Maslaha. She is a trustee at the Inclusive Mosque Initiative,
  • Ameen—a GP in east London, and a member of Medact’s Securitisation of Health group,
  • Mashal Iftikhar—a member of Medact’s Securitisation of Health Group and an NHS doctor training in psychiatry. She is passionate about health equity in mental illness and the intersection of criminal justice with mental health services.

This event recording is particularly aimed at people who work or are training in, study, or who have worked in health.

Nov 24, 202101:17:53
The public health case against the policing bill – Briefing launch event, 15 November 2021

The public health case against the policing bill – Briefing launch event, 15 November 2021

Read the briefing: link.medact.org/PolicingBill

Watch this event on YouTube: youtu.be/hqDFFtF7nMA

The government has misleadingly branded the racist and dangerous PCSC (Policing) Bill a “public health approach” to combating serious violence. But health workers in the Medact Research Network have debunked these claims in a new briefing.

Written to support the huge groundswell of opposition to this bill in the #KillTheBill movement, the briefing explains why the measures in the Bill – greater police powers, repression of protest, harsher prison sentences, erosion of confidentiality and increased criminalisation of Gypsy and Traveller communities – will actually harm public health and entrench discrimination.

We aim to articulate and amplify radical public health voices against the Policing Bill’s approach and explore potential alternatives.

In this event recording, hear from health workers who are members of our Research Network and involved in creation of the briefing, as well as four fantastic speakers who discuss public health in the context of crime, policing and prison:

  • Lola Olufemi – Lola is a black feminist writer and researcher, author of Feminism Interrupted: Disrupting Power and Experiments in Imagining Otherwise. Alongside writing, she is a member of ‘bare minimum‘, an interdisciplinary anti-work arts collective. Lola also facilitates reading groups/workshops, occasionally curates, and is volunteer co-ordinator at the Feminist Library in South London.
  • Kelsey M – Kelsey is a feminist, abolitionist organiser based in London, resisting state violence and working to explore and build transformative justice and community-led responses to violence. As a facilitator with grassroots collectives she delivers workshops exploring community accountability, bystander intervention, power, and tools for campaigning and movement building.
  • Chelsea McDonagh – Chelsea is a researcher, Irish Traveller activist and writer. She speaks on a wide range of issues affecting Gypsy and Traveller people including education, health, policy and politics. Chelsea is one of the co-founders of the Rom Belong programme, a KCL Widening Participation programme for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils and is passionate about improving opportunities for young people.
  • Kavian Kulasabanathan – Kavian is a paediatric A&E doctor and researcher at the University of Oxford. His interests span socio-political determinants of health, particularly pertaining to race and class, alongside community-centered models of care. Kavian organises with PHM-UK and Race & Health collective.

Presenters cover topics such as the future implications of the PCSC bill, different visions of public health, new approaches to care, and approaches to ‘serious violence’ and socio-economic issues that don’t rely on punitive or carceral responses. This is followed by a Q&A from the live audience.

Nov 17, 202101:29:20
Alternative Training on Prevent in Healthcare #2

Alternative Training on Prevent in Healthcare #2

On the 25th May 2021 we held our second Alternative Training on Prevent in Healthcare to explore what you aren't being told about Prevent in safeguarding training. 

The training shed light on some unanswered questions about Prevent and we heard from:

  • Members of Medact’s Securitisation of Health Group (SHG)
  • Susan Wright ─ a crime and human rights barrister acting for defendants, NGOs and other organisations on a range of public law matters
  • Reem Abu-Hayyeh ─ Campaigns and Policy Lead: Peace and Security at Medact
  • Dr Lyn Jenkins ─ a retired GP/ ophthalmologist, bereavement support volunteer, and heading up In My Own Bed Please, a lobby group advocating for improved palliative care at home in emergencies
May 28, 202101:24:10
Racism, mental health and pre-crime policing: the ethics of Vulnerability Support Hubs (report launch)
May 27, 202101:28:05
Urgent Briefing: Why We All Have a Duty to Kill The Bill

Urgent Briefing: Why We All Have a Duty to Kill The Bill

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (PCSC) is a dangerous piece of legislation that undermines our fundamental rights, threatens all our safety, and implicates health workers in the expansion of violent police powers. Medact and Docs Not Cops have joined the Kill The Bill Coalition to stand in solidarity with everyone targeted by the Bill and fight back against these harmful policies.

On Monday 26th April 2021 we held an urgent briefing to discuss the public health impacts of the PCSC Bill, what the Kill The Bill Coalition is building towards and what health workers can do to get involved.

Many thanks to our panel of guest speakers:

  • Dr Adam Elliott-Cooper, a research associate in sociology at University of Greenwich. He organised with The Monitoring Group and Black Lives Matter UK. He is author of Black Resistance to British Policing (Manchester University Press).
  • Shanice, a feminist activist involved in direct action, community organising and the movement to #KillTheBill
  • Chelsea McDonagh, an Irish Traveller with interests in education, policy and research
  • Dr Hilary Aked, Medact Research Manager, who holds a PhD in political sociology and specialises in investigative research on topics including the pro-Israel lobby and the Prevent counter-extremism policy in healthcare.
Apr 27, 202101:02:09
The public health case for the Green New Deal (briefing launch)

The public health case for the Green New Deal (briefing launch)

The Health for a Green New Deal campaign seeks to build mass support in the health community for a transformative Green New Deal and to organise health workers and students to advocate for a just transition to a zero-carbon society.

The Medact Climate & Health research cluster has been working on a briefing that sets out the public health case for a Green New Deal and sets out key actions that health workers and students can take to organise.

On 8th April we held an event to launch the briefing and we heard from a range of guest speakers and Medact activists from across the country, including: 

  • Dr Helen Stokes Lampard – The Chair of the Academy of Royal Medical Societies, and Chair of the Board for the National Academy for Social Prescribing.
  • Guppi Bola – The chair of Joint Council For The Welfare Of Immigrants and author of the influential ‘Reimagining Public Health’ report published by Commonwealth.
  • Hannah Martin – co-director of Green New Deal UK who are campaigning across the UK for a transformative Green New Deal. 
  • Dr Andrew Harmer – A senior lecturer at the Centre for Global Public Health, Medact member and one of the briefing’s co-authors.
  • Dr Anya Gopfert - A public health registrar, Medact member and one of the briefing's co-authors. 


Apr 15, 202101:27:14
Alternative Training on Prevent in Healthcare

Alternative Training on Prevent in Healthcare

It is possible to create a society in which our collective safety and wellbeing are prioritised. Developing trusting, healthy relationships with all of our patients is essential to this work.  However, Prevent ─ with the government’s stated aim of identifying “vulnerability to radicalisation” ─ compromises all of this, and is a source of harm and increased marginalisation.  Why is the NHS the only healthcare system in the world with a legal obligation to engage with such a strategy? What aren’t you being told about Prevent in safeguarding training?  We hosted a training session for health workers to shed light on some unanswered questions about Prevent. At the training we heard from:  • Members of Medact’s Securitisation of Health Group (SHG) • Dr Tarek Younis ─ a cultural and clinical critical psychologist and lecturer in psychology • Marcelo Camus ─ member of Medact’s SHG, a social practice artist and co-founder and organiser of the Social Art Network • Reem Abu-Hayyeh ─ Campaigns and Programme Lead: Peace and Security at Medact

Apr 14, 202101:25:08
Health Versus Wealth? UK Economic Policy and Public Health During COVID-19 (briefing launch)

Health Versus Wealth? UK Economic Policy and Public Health During COVID-19 (briefing launch)

On the 16th February 2021 we held the online launch of of our latest briefing  ‘Health Versus Wealth? UK Economic Policy and Public Health During COVID-19’. 

The briefing considers how a false dichotomy between public health and economic wealth has contributed to the pandemic taking such a tragic course in the UK. It also considers how cuts to essential health and social services over decades and decades have torn at the social fabric of our communities ─ and what can be done right now to mend this fabric and build up our social immunity.  

We heard from a panel of experts on the subject, including:  

• Professor Christina Pagel, Professor of Operational Research at University College London and member of Independent Sage

• Christine Berry, trustee of Rethinking Economics, fellow of the Democracy collab and contributing editor of Renewal journal

• Dr Monica Sharman, an NHS junior doctor based in Yorkshire & Humber , Medact member and co-author of the briefing

• Daniel Carter, Research fellow in social epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Medact member and co-author of the briefing

Read the briefing: https://link.medact.org/healthvswealthbriefing 

Sign up for email updates from our Economic Justice & Health Group: http://link.medact.org/economicjustice​   

Sign up to email updates from our Medact Research Network: https://link.medact.org/researchnetwork

Find out more about joining Medact as a member: https://www.medact.org/membership/

Feb 19, 202149:29
Action Call: Building the Health Movement for a Green New Deal
Jul 17, 202001:11:04
False Positives: the Prevent counter-extremism policy in healthcare (report launch)

False Positives: the Prevent counter-extremism policy in healthcare (report launch)

On the 2nd July 2020 we held the online launch of our latest report ‘False Positives: the Prevent counter-extremism policy in healthcare’.

This report brings together new research that seeks to shed light on the implications of the Prevent duty in UK health services.

Prevent is a controversial strand of the government’s counter-extremism strategy that obliges public service providers and workers to ‘have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’.

We heard from a panel of experts on the subject, including:

  • Dr Hilary Aked – Research Manager at Medact and a writer and investigative researcher with a background in political sociology
  • Dr Mayura Deshpande – Consultant forensic psychiatrist, deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, and chair of the Ethics and Professional Practice Committee at the Royal College of Psychiatrists
  • Dr Tarek Younis – Cultural and critical clinical psychologist, and currently a Lecturer in Psychology at Middlesex University
  • Rosalind Comyn – Policy and Campaigns Officer at Liberty, where she leads work across policing and counter-terrorism


Read the report and key findings: https://www.medact.org/prevent-report

Read our Peace & Security Campaigner’s article on mental health and deaths after police contact: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/ournhs/mental-health-and-deaths-after-police-contact-why-senis-law-is-welcome-but-mo/

Read our Campaign Assistant's blog on the expansion of policing powers during the coronavirus pandemic: https://www.medact.org/2020/blogs/policing-the-pandemic/

Read black feminist organiser and Global Health academic Sarah Lasoye’s blog on the police’s use of tasers: https://www.medact.org/2019/blogs/on-tasers-policing-and-imagining-new-responses-to-violence/

Sign up to our Securitisation of Health mailing list:
https://www.medact.org/project/securitisation/

Find out more about joining Medact as a member:
https://www.medact.org/membership/

Jul 08, 202001:19:31
The arms industry in the era of COVID-19: lessons for the future

The arms industry in the era of COVID-19: lessons for the future

Soon after the COVID-19 pandemic reached the UK, it became clear that the NHS was not sufficiently equipped or staffed to respond to the crisis.

In March, the government put out a call for industry to convert its production to manufacture crucial medical equipment, such as ventilators and PPE for frontline workers. To date, a number of arms and defence companies have responded to this call – alongside existing companies that manufacture medical equipment and others.

Workers at Lucas Aerospace called for exactly this kind of arms conversion back in 1976, when they produced an Alternative Corporate Plan – now known as the Lucas Plan.

In this webinar we discussed what a ‘just transition’ from industries that cause destruction to those that support peace and public health could and should look like.

Thank you to our expert speakers:
* Dr. Stuart Parkinson – Executive Director of Scientists for Global Responsibility
* Phil Asquith – Chartered Engineer and former Chairman of the Lucas Aerospace Combine, Burnley site
* Dr. Andy Haines – Professor of Environmental Change and Public Health at LSHTM
* Hilary Wainwright – Founding editor of Red Pepper Magazine and co-author of ‘The Lucas Plan: A New Trade Unionism in the Making?’
* Sam Mason – Policy officer at PCS Union and member of the New Lucas Plan project

We apologise for the connectivity problems that obscured the later part of Hilary's talk!

Sign up at medact.org/emails to find out more about Medact's work bringing a health voice together for peace.

*(Dr Stuart Parkinson said that 1,000 direct jobs were lost in the UK arms industry at the end of the Cold War - it was actually 100,000)

May 11, 202056:40
David Powell At Healthy Planet, Better World - "Kenya's Progress On Inequality & Sustainability"

David Powell At Healthy Planet, Better World - "Kenya's Progress On Inequality & Sustainability"

Environment programme lead David Powell discusses a partnership between the New Economic Foundation and the African Centre for a Green Economy looking at the dynamics between economic inequality and sustainability in four case studies from around Kenya.
Mar 10, 201716:54
John Lanchbery At HPBW - "The Paris Agreement: Game Changer Or More Hot Air?"

John Lanchbery At HPBW - "The Paris Agreement: Game Changer Or More Hot Air?"

John Lanchbery is the Principal Advisor on climate change at the RSPB and a lead member of the BirdLife International team on climate change. At the conference he shared his insight on the COP21 Paris Agreement and what progress has been made towards the agreed goals.
Mar 10, 201710:59
Kate Raworth At HPBW - "Why It's Time For A New Version Of Human Prosperity"

Kate Raworth At HPBW - "Why It's Time For A New Version Of Human Prosperity"

Humanity's central challenge in the 21st century is to realise the human rights of all within the means of this life-giving planet. In other words, we need to get into the Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries. Kate will show why addressing this challenge has to start with a new understanding of human prosperity, and will set out the six key factors determining whether or not we have half a chance of getting there.
Mar 10, 201729:02
Kevin Anderson At HPBW - "How informed hope and action can Trump despair"

Kevin Anderson At HPBW - "How informed hope and action can Trump despair"

The IPCC’s latest report, and the commitments enshrined in the Paris Agreement have reshaped the climate change agenda. Whilst the former establishes carbon budgets as the appropriate scientific foundation for mitigation policy, the latter obligates the international community ‘to hold the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C’.

This ambitious agenda demands rates of mitigation far beyond anything evident in history and seldom countenanced by policy makers. Set against such a profound challenge, the presentation will interpret the opportunities and barriers for urgently accelerating the transition to a decarbonised future and consider the scale of impacts should we continue to choose procrastination over meaningful action.
Mar 10, 201729:16
Kinari Webb At HPBW - "Radical Listening: Saving Lives And Rainforest In Borneo"

Kinari Webb At HPBW - "Radical Listening: Saving Lives And Rainforest In Borneo"

MD and Founder of Health in Harmony, Kinari Webb, shares her insights on her organisation’s work improving the lives of people in the communities around Gunung Palung National Park in Borneo through increased and affordable health care, decreased logging of the park and introduction of alternative incomes sources.
Mar 10, 201718:57
Corinna Hawkes At Healthy Planet, Better World -  "Global Food System Challenges"

Corinna Hawkes At Healthy Planet, Better World - "Global Food System Challenges"

Professor Corinna Hawkes provides a broad global perspective on the central challenges for food systems, as an opening to the Food stream of the conference.
Mar 10, 201747:47
Annie Quick At HPBW - "Equality And Sustainability: Where Does The UK Stand?"

Annie Quick At HPBW - "Equality And Sustainability: Where Does The UK Stand?"

Annie Quick, lead for Wellbeing and Inequality at the New Economics Foundation, outlines some of the issues around inequality and the environment in the UK, considers the political context, and attempts to offer a hope for the future.
Mar 10, 201718:01
Lisa Page at HPBW - "Heat & Health: Measuring the Public Health Impact of Climate Change"

Lisa Page at HPBW - "Heat & Health: Measuring the Public Health Impact of Climate Change"

Dr Lisa Page considers how we can conduct robust epidemiological research on how rising heat affects mental health. From the session "Climate Change & Mental Health" at Medact's 2016 Forum "Healthy Planet, Better World". Find out more at https://www.medact.org/forum-2016
Mar 09, 201723:49
Hugh Grant-Peterkin at HPBW - "Groups under Pressure" - and follow-up discussion

Hugh Grant-Peterkin at HPBW - "Groups under Pressure" - and follow-up discussion

Hugh Grant-Peterkin considers how psychotherapeutic thinking can help us understand our response to climate change; and opens up the session to a group discussion. From the session "Climate Change & Mental Health" at Medact's 2016 Forum "Healthy Planet, Better World". Find out more at https://www.medact.org/forum-2016
Jan 09, 201743:43
Sally Weintrobe at HPBW  - "Some effects of current culture on mental health"

Sally Weintrobe at HPBW - "Some effects of current culture on mental health"

Sally Weintrobe discusses the relationship between mental health, climate change, and a culture of uncare, arguing that climate change is a symptom of a much deeper problem affecting mental health. From the session "Climate Change & Mental Health" at Medact's 2016 Forum "Healthy Planet, Better World". Find out more at http://www.sallyweintrobe.com/ and https://www.medact.org/forum-2016/
Jan 09, 201716:23
David McCoy on the Impacts on Health - Sheffield Fracking Masterclass

David McCoy on the Impacts on Health - Sheffield Fracking Masterclass

David McCoy speaking at Medact's Fracking Masterclass in Sheffield on fracking's impacts on health.
Jun 10, 201656:59
Joanne Hawkins on Regulation - Sheffield Fracking Masterclass

Joanne Hawkins on Regulation - Sheffield Fracking Masterclass

Joanne Hawkins speaking at Medact's Fracking Masterclass in Sheffield on Regulation.
Jun 10, 201623:37
Patrick Saunders on the Risks to Human Health - Sheffield Fracking Masterclass

Patrick Saunders on the Risks to Human Health - Sheffield Fracking Masterclass

Patrick Saunders speaking at Medact's Fracking Masterclass on the potential risks to human health.
Jun 10, 201644:02
A3 - The Humanitarian Imperative to Ban Nuclear Weapons

A3 - The Humanitarian Imperative to Ban Nuclear Weapons

The Humanitarian Imperative to Ban Nuclear Weapons Find out how the international Humanitarian Initiative on nuclear weapons is creating an urgent argument for change by focusing attention on the catastrophic humanitarian and environmental impact of these WMDs. Including the 2015 launch of nuclear weapons divestment report ‘Don’t Bank on the Bomb’ by Netherlands-based NGO PAX.

SPEAKERS: Monika Zach (Austrian Embassy, London), Dr Beyza Unal (Chatham House), Rebecca Sharkey (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons), Wilbert van der Zeijden (PAX) and Maaike Beenes (PAX). Chaired by Dr Frank Boulton (Medact).
Nov 26, 201501:29:26
A2 - Challenging Nuclear Deterrence Theory

A2 - Challenging Nuclear Deterrence Theory

A critical look at the culture of nuclear weapons in the UK, and how mainstream narratives of nuclear deterrence can and must be challenged.

SPEAKERS: Kate Hudson (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament), Paul Ingram (British American Security Information Service) and Richard Norton-Taylor (The Guardian). Chaired by Dr David McCoy (Medact).
Nov 26, 201501:25:31
E3 - Gender, Militarism and Violence (Part Two)

E3 - Gender, Militarism and Violence (Part Two)

This second session will look at what practical action we can take to challenge gender norms that fuel violence and inequality. Activists from The Great Initiative will lead participants through workshop exercises they run in schools in the UK, using innovative techniques to promote critical reflection on gender and violence. Attendees will be encouraged to think about gender stereotypes and how these shape their own identities and behaviours. The session will then look at how similar approaches are being applied in countries experiencing or emerging from violent conflict, and why challenging ideas about masculinity and femininity is a vital element of peace activism.

SPEAKERS: David Brockway (The Great Initiative) - with extra facilitation from volunteers from the Great Initiative, Hannah Wright (Gender, Peace and Security Advisor, Saferworld) and Julie Brethfeld (Conflict and Security Advisor, Saferworld).
Nov 26, 201501:43:23
E2 - Gender, Militarism and Violence (Part One)

E2 - Gender, Militarism and Violence (Part One)

Women are often portrayed as helpless victims in war, while men are often assumed to be combatants because of their gender. The reality of today’s conflicts is much more complex, with men being more likely to suffer violent deaths, and women playing all kinds of roles, from soldier to peacemaker. Nonetheless, the use of violence around the world is profoundly shaped by social norms relating to gender. This session will explore how gender, militarisation and war are connected, including how notions of masculinity in the British military have fuelled violence against local populations in Iraq and Afghanistan, harassment and abuse within the ranks, and mental health problems for troops themselves.

SPEAKERS: Hannah Wright (Gender, Peace and Security Advisor, Saferworld), Julie Brethfeld (Conflict and Security Advisor, Saferworld), and Dr Julia Welland (University of Warwick).
Nov 26, 201501:27:42
C3 - Assessing the Health Impacts of War and Violent Conflict

C3 - Assessing the Health Impacts of War and Violent Conflict

The effects of war on people and the planet can last for many decades, if not longer. From psychological trauma to unexploded ordinance, the damage done by armed conflict lives on well after the fighting has ended. In this session, learn about different aspects of the legacy of armed conflict from experts researching different post-conflict issues. Researchers face considerable difficulty in comprehensively documenting the long-term impacts of war; this session will end by exploring how ‘Citizen Science’ might be able to help fill the research gap. SPEAKERS: Dr Maria Kett (Leonard Cheshire Centre for Disability), Dr Mina Fazel (Psychiatry, Oxford University) Professor Muki Haklay (Participatory Data & Citizen Science, University College London) and Doug Weir (Toxic Remnants of War Project).
Nov 26, 201501:30:39
C2 - On the Frontline of War and Violent Conflict

C2 - On the Frontline of War and Violent Conflict

Humanitarian law is clear in protecting nurses, doctors and others in their work to save human life and prevent suffering during war and armed conflict, yet these rules are routinely ignored and health professionals are increasingly at risk. Health communities around the world need to promote and uphold these laws, as well as the organisations and institutions that exist to safeguard them. In this session, hear from a range of speakers with different experiences of working in the humanitarian sector about the challenges and dangers of providing health care on the front-line, as well as how humanitarian organisations can speak out in the public domain on these issues.

SPEAKERS: Fikr Shalltoot (Gaza Medical Director, Medical Aid for Palestinians UK), Olivia Blanchard (‘Medical Care Under Fire’ Project, MSF), and Dr Stuart Gordon (London School of Economics). Chaired by Fawzia Gibson-Fall (Kings College London).
Nov 26, 201501:34:16
E1 - The War on Drugs

E1 - The War on Drugs

A prohibitionist approach to global drug policy, broadly known as the ‘War on Drugs’, has dominated since the mid-20th Century, seeking to prevent the production, trafficking and use of illicit drugs. These policies have failed to achieve their goals whilst fuelling violence and conflict, undermining stability and economic development, destroying livelihoods and preventing access to healthcare and essential medicines. This session examines the creation of a ‘War on Drugs’ through the securitisation and militarisation of drug policy; the scale of violence and damage associated with the ‘War on Drugs’ and its impacts for the most marginalised communities; and potential alternatives and important advocacy opportunities in 2016.

SPEAKERS: Martin Drewry (Director, Health Poverty Action), Danny Kushlick (Director, Transform Drug Policy Foundation) and Jamie Bridge (Senior Policy and Operations Manager, International Drug Policy Consortium). Chaired by Natasha Horsfield (Advocacy Officer, Health Poverty Action).
Nov 26, 201540:22
D2 - Climate Change and Conflict

D2 - Climate Change and Conflict

Join three expert speakers for a high octane trip through climate change, global security, refugees, and, those pesky fossil fuels. If you attend this session, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to share the name of one piece of music that you’d like to leave for future generations. None of us know how long we have to tread this blue green planet, and we’d all like to leave our mark, wouldn’t we? In return for your gift, our panel of climate security experts and musicians will select a virtual ‘Desert Island Disks for the Climate’. Do join us, bring an open mind and open heart, to learn more about the complex inter-relations between instability, armed conflict and climate change. On the road to Paris and COP21, help to shape the debate. SPEAKERS: Devin Bowles (Australian National University), Janani Vivekananda (Climate Change & Security - International Alert), Frances MacGuire (Medact), with a musical from Tim Hollo and Ilana Cravitz.
Nov 26, 201501:49:15
D1 - The UK Arms Trade

D1 - The UK Arms Trade

In its 2014-15 ‘Human Rights and Democracy Report’, the UK government identified 28 countries of concern. In 2014, the UK approved arms export licences to 18 of those countries - including Israel, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Despite its well documented repression and human rights abuses, Saudi Arabia has been a priority market for UK arms sales for over 30 years. Join campaigners to learn more about the role and scale of the global arms trade in fuelling war and armed conflict, and the particular role of the UK government and UK-based companies.

SPEAKERS: Sarah Waldron (Campaigns Coordinator, CAAT), Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei (Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy), Andrew Feinstein (Author, The Shadow World) and Kat Hobbs (Outreach Coordinator, CAAT). Introduced and Chaired by John Chisholm (Chair, British Medical Association Ethics Committee).
Nov 26, 201501:28:51
D3 - Controlling the International Arms Trade

D3 - Controlling the International Arms Trade

Join Paul, Martin and Ellie for an introduction to the global arms trade ahead of the key-note address from Andrew Feinstein. Paul will start the session with ‘Arms Trade Family Fortunes’, an interactive quiz on the basic facts around the international transfer of weapons. Martin will discuss the impact of irresponsible and illicit arms transfers on communities across the globe, then Elli will give an overview of regional and international efforts to better control flows of arms. with a particular focus on the Arms Trade Treaty.

SPEAKERS: Martin Butcher (Arms and Conflict Policy Advisor, Oxfam International), Dr Paul Holtom (Deputy Director, Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University; former Senior Researcher, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) and Elli Kytomaki (Associate Fellow, International Security, Chatham House).
Nov 26, 201501:35:58
B1 - New Weapons and Remote Warfare

B1 - New Weapons and Remote Warfare

Join expert speakers to learn about the changing nature of weapons and warfare: from remote fighting and drones, to robotics and cyber warfare. Speakers will explore the evolution of US, UK and French war-fighting capacities and postures, especially in the context of the War on
Terror in Africa and the Middle East, as well as the ethical, transparency and accountability issues that this brings.

SPEAKERS: Richard Reeve (Director, Sustainable Security Programme, ORG), Paul Rogers (University of Bradford; ORG/Remote Control Project), Caroline Donnellan (Remote Control Project) and Andrew
Noakes (Nigeria Security Network). Chaired by Fiona Godlee (Editor, British Medical Journal).
Nov 26, 201502:45:10
B2 - Biological and Chemical Warfare

B2 - Biological and Chemical Warfare

War is always bad for health, but over the past century widely-held international norms have developed that chemical and biological weapons are not legitimate weapons of war. And yet the threat posed by these weapons has not gone away. Join these expert speakers to learn about key contemporary issues surrounding biological and chemical weapons: the current state of knowledge on their production and possible use (including by potential bioterrorists or by ‘rogue states’); what current scientific advances mean for the future of such weapons; and how the arms control treaties that outlaw them can be strengthened and more effectively enforced.

SPEAKERS: Dr Christian Enemark (Aberystwyth University), Timothy Stafford (Research Fellow, Royal United Services Institute) and Simon Rushton (University of Sheffield).
Nov 26, 201501:21:04
Corporate Capture of Health Part 1

Corporate Capture of Health Part 1

Dr Miran Epstein on Medical Ethics
Nov 22, 201320:18
Vijay Mehta on The Economics Of Killing

Vijay Mehta on The Economics Of Killing

Main Speaker: Vijay Mehta

Vijay is a renowned author and global activist for peace, development and human rights, and is Co-Founder and Chair of Uniting for Peace. His new book on The Economics of Killing was published by Pluto Press in 2012 and describes how the Military Industrial Complex works, its links with global financial crisis and the role of Western governments play in perpetuating conflicts.
Oct 04, 201328:55