The Movement for the Abolition of War

Annual Remembrance Lectures

Since 2001, MAW has invited well-known, expert, and passionate speakers from a wide range of backgrounds to give our prestigious Annual Remembrance Lecture every November.

From 2001 until 2017 these were held on Remembrance Sunday in the large lecture theatre at the heart of the Imperial War Museum, with the enthusiastic support of museum staff. Due to building works this has not been possible since, so the 2018 lecture was held in St John’s Waterloo, the 2019 in Bloomsbury Baptist Church, while our 2020 lecture was given online due to the pandemic.

Click on the links for more about the speakers and lectures, including audio or video recordings and transcripts where available.

YearLecturerTitle
2023Michael Mears, ActorThe role of the arts and culture in promoting peace and opposing war
2022Kate Hudson, General Secretary CND UKNuclear Risks in the Light of the Ukraine War
2021Asad Rehman, Executive Director, War on Want
‘Walls, Fences and Guns’ – How militarised and racialised capitalism is destroying the world
2020Fabian Hamilton MP, Shadow Minister for Peace & DisarmamentPeacebuilding in the Post-Covid WorldFabian Hamilton
2019Richard Reeve, Co-ordinator, Rethinking SecurityRethinking Security: How Britain can think globally and act peacefullyRichard Reeve
2018Caroline Lucas MPActive remembrance and waging peace togetherCaroline Lucas
2017Philip Jennings, General Director, UNI Global UnionFreedom from Fear: Unions for PeacePhilip Jennings
2016Vickie Hawkins, Director, Médecins Sans FrontièresHumanity in the Midst of WarVickie Hawkins
2015Professor Paul Rogers, University of BradfordFuture Wars and How to Prevent ThemPaul Rogers
2014Michael MorpurgoWho Will Sing the Anthems? Who Will Tell the Stories?Michael Morpurgo
2013Alastair McIntoshThe Nonviolence Challenge: Changing the Culture of WarAlastair McIntosh
2012Professor Mary Kaldor, London School of EconomicsOld and New Wars
2011Professor Sir Richard Jolly, University of SussexDisarmament and Development: the Kindest Cut of All
2010Philippe Sands QCWar and Law: Iraq’s Legacy, Chilcot’s Challenges
2009Dr Mark Levene, Southampton UniversityWeapons of the Strong
2008Kathy Galloway, Iona CommunityHope in a Time of War: a Religious Perspective on Peacemaking
2007Baroness Helena Kennedy QCLaw not War
2006Baroness Shirley WilliamsAn End to War?
2005Martin Bell OBEA Requiem for WarMartin Bell
2004Dr Caroline Lucas MEPBuilding a Culture of PeaceCaroline Lucas
2003Mairead Corrigan MaguireWar or Peace: Creating a New Culture for Children
2002Professor Joseph RotblatA World without War: Is it Desirable? Is it Feasible?Joseph Rotblat
2001Professor Paul Rogers, University of BradfordCan We End War?Paul Rogers