Being Young during WW1 conference programme announced

Saturday 7 November 2015 – Manchester Metropolitan University

Please join us for this international conference to examine the effects of the First World War on children and young people, and its social and psychological legacies.

Growing up in a period of conflict had an immense impact on the young. There were deep fears and anxieties, but also freedoms and opportunities. For some, the costs were relationships traumatised by separation and the death or injury of family members and friends. For others, school lives were disrupted, adult supervision relaxed and wages rose as a result of labour shortage. Some were caught up in the military excitements of war and enlisted as boy soldiers; others protested and took part in strike action. The image of the child became a potent figure in propaganda and patriotic parades and performances, while war themes became a popular theme in juvenile literature.

PROGRAMME OUT NOW! The draft conference programme is out now: Being Young in World War One Conference Programme

COMMUNITY HISTORY CALL! Have you and/ or your local history group researched the history of youth or the home-front in World War One? Would you like to display or talk about your work at this event? If so, please get in touch!

Please also join us on the evening of Friday 6 November 2015 for the following events:

• 5pm – The opening of the new exhibition, The Lost Boys: Remembering the boy soldiers of the First World War, curated by MMU’s Professor Steve Dixon, from 5pm-6pm (free exhibition view tickets online here), held at MMU Holden Cafe Space, Grosvenor Building, Cavendish St, Manchester, M15 6BR.
• 6.15pm- A special screening of The First World War, Life on the Home Front in North West England, with introduction from Marion Hewitt, Director of the North West Film Archive at Manchester Metropolitan University, held at MMU Business School, All Saints Campus, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6BH

To book: to book your FREE place for the Being Young During World War One conference, go to  www.beingyoungww1.eventbrite.co.uk.

To find us: the conference will be held in Manchester Metropolitan University Business School, All Saints Campus, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M15 6BH (Campus Map and directions here)

To stay over: If you intend to stay in Manchester during the conference, you can find a list of nearby hotels here.

For more information about the conference, please contact Dr Fiona Cosson, f.cosson@mmu.ac.uk