War and conflict are major causes of human suffering. They also cause environmental degradation, perpetuate inequalities and undermine democracy. Nuclear bombs and other indiscriminate weapons of mass destruction are incompatible with the public health aims of safety and health protection.
But a vast complex of standing armies, militias, weapons manufacturers, arms traders and politicians promote war, violence and militarism out of self-interest and greed, or because they fail to see better alternatives for resolving conflict and disputes.
Health professionals have a long history of: providing humanitarian relief; facilitating ceasefires and the cessation of conflict; promoting disarmament and peacebuilding; and providing impartial evidence on the perpetration of war crimes.
Medact grew out of the medical peace movement and is the UK affiliate of the Nobel Laureate International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW).
Medact continues to promote disarmament and encourage investment in nonviolent responses to conflict; seek the abolition of nuclear weapons; and reduce the power and influence of the global military-industrial complex. It promotes the universal right to health as a platform for peace building and more effective international diplomacy and cooperation.
Latest
Scottish National Party votes in favour of raising enlistment age to 18
On Sunday 8 October, the Scottish National Party (SNP) voted overwhelmingly in favour of raising the minimum enlistment age from 16 to 18. SNP’s youth branch, which tabled the motion, used our research and other resources to argue that joining the armed forces under...
Recognising signs of exploitation, trafficking and modern slavery
The British Government estimates that tens of thousands of people have been trafficked into modern slavery in the UK today. Every year more and more people are subjected to unimaginable forms of abuse and exploitation. We are holding a 2-hour training to help...
1st World Congress on Migration, Ethnicity, Race and Health
Medact is supporting the 1st World Congress on Migration, Ethnicity, Race and Health (MERH 2018) The MERH 2018 Congress is hosted by an independent, non-profit making company working under the auspices of The University of Edinburgh, the European Public Health...
Refugee Solidarity Group advocates for Patients not Passports – No borders in the NHS
On September 30, we joined Docs Not Cops and a coalition of anti-racism and pro-migrant organisations outside Guy's and St. Thomas' hospital to protest the introduction of immigration checks and upfront charging coming into force on 23 October 2017. We listened to...
Nobel Peace Prize Statement – ICAN UK – 6 October 2017
Nobel Peace Prize Statement – ICAN UK – 6 October 2017 ICAN UK represents the British-based NGOs who are partners of ICAN, a civil society network of over 450 organisations in one hundred countries. Dr Rebecca Johnson, an original co-chair of ICAN and member of the...