Theo Francken, the Minister of Defence, is going to send a letter to more than 130,000 17-year-olds to encourage them to join his new 'voluntary military service'.
The recruitment of young people is part of his plan to strengthen the army, alongside the billions in extra investment being channeled into military budgets.
We disagree with this societal choice. We disagree with the path we are on, hurtling towards war.
Let us invest in the future of the coming generations instead of in the current militarization. Let us invest in peace instead of in war.
As youth organizations, peace organizations, and/or citizens, we call for the signing and widespread dissemination of this counter-letter to Minister Francken:
Minister Francken,
As young people, we see images of war every single day: Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Congo… We are inundated by it.
And yet, you want to invest billions more into the army and push our generation into military service.
You choose to put money into an advertising campaign for the military rather than into society, preparing young people to risk their lives instead of building them.
Think of the stable and well-paid jobs for young people that could be created, the opportunities in education, the fight against climate change. If you insist on offering us a form of service, let it be one that supports our communities, healthcare, or the planet.
Instead of helping us build a strong future, all you are offering is a place in the army, taking advantage of the insecurity faced by many.
We zien het nu al, hoe ze in sommige Europese landen evolueren richting verplichte legerdienst voor alle jongeren.
You have the nerve to call our generation ‘lazy’ or ‘uninterested’, but that’s not true. Everyday we invest our time and energy into our sports clubs, youth movements, and communities. Yet in times of war, it is always us, the children of the working people, who are sent to the front line, not those of the rich.
We can already see how some European countries are moving towards compulsory military service for all young people. We refuse to serve as cannon fodder for your war - we demand peace!
Let us be clear - more weapons leads to more war. We care greatly about a secure future for everyone, but we will not follow orders or defend interests that do not represent us.
That's why we say: your military service? No thanks!
Sincerely,
Theo Francken, the Minister of Defence, is going to send a letter to more than 130,000 17-year-olds to encourage them to join his new 'voluntary military service'.
The recruitment of young people is part of his plan to strengthen the army, alongside the billions in extra investment being channeled into military budgets.
We disagree with this societal choice. We disagree with the path we are on, hurtling towards war.
Let us invest in the future of the coming generations instead of in the current militarization. Let us invest in peace instead of in war.
As youth organizations, peace organizations, and/or citizens, we call for the signing and widespread dissemination of this counter-letter to Minister Francken:
Minister Francken,
As young people, we see images of war every single day: Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Congo… We are inundated by it.
And yet, you want to invest billions more into the army and push our generation into military service.
You choose to put money into an advertising campaign for the military rather than into society, preparing young people to risk their lives instead of building them.
Think of the stable and well-paid jobs for young people that could be created, the opportunities in education, the fight against climate change. If you insist on offering us a form of service, let it be one that supports our communities, healthcare, or the planet.
Instead of helping us build a strong future, all you are offering is a place in the army, taking advantage of the insecurity faced by many.
We zien het nu al, hoe ze in sommige Europese landen evolueren richting verplichte legerdienst voor alle jongeren.
You have the nerve to call our generation ‘lazy’ or ‘uninterested’, but that’s not true. Everyday we invest our time and energy into our sports clubs, youth movements, and communities. Yet in times of war, it is always us, the children of the working people, who are sent to the front line, not those of the rich.
We can already see how some European countries are moving towards compulsory military service for all young people. We refuse to serve as cannon fodder for your war - we demand peace!
Let us be clear - more weapons leads to more war. We care greatly about a secure future for everyone, but we will not follow orders or defend interests that do not represent us.
That's why we say: your military service? No thanks!
Sincerely,