CAAT National Gathering 2008

CAAT's National Gathering 2008 was an inspiring day for all involved – a chance to reflect on our successes this year, to meet other supporters and to get involved in the launch of CAAT's new campaign UKTI: Armed and Dangerous.

The importance of campaigning against the arms trade was emphasised by Solomon Hughes, author of 'War on Terror, Inc. - Corporate profiteering from the politics of fear'. He highlighted the way in which profit is driving security and military agendas. Participants found his talk “fascinating” and “eye-opening”.

  • Solomon Hughes speaking
    Solomon Hughes talks on The War on Terror
  • Solomon Hughes and Ann Feltham Q & A
    Solomon Hughes and CAAT's parliamentary officer Ann Feltham in a 'Q & A'
  • Solomon Hughes and Ann Feltham
    Solomon Hughes and CAAT's parliamentary officer Ann Feltham in a 'Q & A'
  • CAAT press officer Symon Hill
    CAAT press officer Symon Hill
  • CAAT's core campaign manager Sarah Waldron
    CAAT's Sarah Waldron launches the UKTI: Armed and Dangerous campaign
  • UKTI: Armed and Dangerous campaign launch
    UKTI: Armed and Dangerous campaign launch
  • CAAT supporters address the room
    CAAT supporters join in the UKTI: Armed and Dangerous campaign launch
  • Discussing ideas at a CAAT workshop
    Anna Stavrianakis and Anne-Marie O'Reilly in one of the CAAT workshops
  • Addressing the workshop
    Anna Stavrianakis and Anne-Marie O'Reilly addressing a CAAT workshop

All photographs on this page © Przemek Wajerowicz 2008

The central theme of the day was our new campaign, UKTI: Armed and Dangerous, which aims to confront the government's close relationship with the arms industry by tackling the vastly disproportionate support arms exports receive from UK Trade & Investment compared to other industries. One supporter commented “[The launch was] excellent – it made me want to start immediately!”

Thinking about taking action around the new campaign informed our skills workshops for the afternoon. Participants at the action planning workshop came up with ideas for highlighting this nastier side of UKTI's business at UKTI non-military exhibitions and using any public work Prince Andrew does to highlight his role as ambassador for UKTI-supported arms exports. Other workshops looked at ways of using the local media and internet to publicise the campaign, whilst 15 CAAT supporters tried out their public speaking skills on the issue.

The day also provided opportunities for CAAT supporters to network around topics relevant to them – the Christian Network, the Universities Network, Local Campaigning and arms fairs. This is one of the most valuable things about the National Gathering: “The best thing about the day was sharing ideas and information with other CAAT campaigners!”

Participants also had the chance to learn more about the jobs argument, the Arms Trade Treaty, or to get an introduction to the arms trade.

Supporters and staff went away fired up to take action on CAAT's new campaign. One activist's summary of the day was: “Getting inspired and informed!”

Take a look at notes from some of the sessions at the National Gathering:
Arms Fair Networking PDF (75k)
Arms Trade Treaty PDF (55k)
Local Campaigners Networking PDF (53k)
Make your actions count PDF (110k)
Universities Networking PDF (62k)

Read what happened at CAAT's 2007 National Gathering.

Updated 29 Mar 2011
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Campaign Against Arms Trade, 11 Goodwin St, Finsbury Park, London N4 3HQ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7281 0297 | Fax: +44 (0)20 7281 4369