Minors & Missiles

In 2022 Medical Association for Prevention of War (MAPW) released a comprehensive report about the growing intrusion of multinational weapons companies into primary and secondary STEM education. Weapons companies seek to create positive brand association in minors and their families, to promote and normalise careers in the development of lethal technology, and generate social license for the trillion-dollar global trade in arms through their association with STEM education programs.

Intrusion into children’s education is the beginning of a comprehensive pipeline that continues into the tertiary education sector, where weapons companies are involved in bursaries, research, scholarships, laboratories and more.

This session will illustrate the issue of harmful influence in education, and show how we have successfully pushed back. By changing policies, advocating to STEM programs, promoting positive examples, forging alliances, and withdrawing social licence, we can continue to make a difference.

Elise West from MAPW will present.