Never Such Innocence visit SOAS, University of London to give children and young people a voice on conflict.

Never Such Innocence were invited to SOAS by Dr Eleanor Newbigin, Senior Lecturer the History of Modern South Asia at the university. We were joined at the institution by pupils from Kingsbury High School, Lea Valley Academy and the London Nautical School. 

On the morning of the event, the young people were joined by two SOAS undergraduates who presented two short lectures to the children. The first lecture focused on the Partition of British India, a conflict covered in our online resource,written with assistance from Dr Eleanor Newbigin. The second lecture explored the contributions made by African soldiers and their communities during the Second World War. This lecture inspired entries to a bonus strand of our competition entitled: A Fight for Freedom. Encouraged by their learning, the young people then participated in either a songwriting or poetry workshop with our brilliant practitioners Clive Sanders and Bethzienna Williams.

Following time for lunch, rehearsals, and a tour of campus, the young people were then seated ready for the NSI Community Roadshow to commence.  After a welcome to the venue from Dr Eleanor Newbigin, Lady Lucy French OBE, Founder and CEO of Never Such Innocence took to the stage. Lucy discussed the origins of Never Such Innocence, the development of our 2019/20 international competition, and informed all of the young people in attendance that they had become a part of the Never Such Innocence global movement!

Lucy was followed onto stage by Lynelle Howson from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Lynelle gave a wonderful talk about the work of the CWGC, and shared personal stories of those who the commission commemorates around the world. 

Throughout the event pupils from Kingsbury High School and The London Nautical School displayed their wonderful poetry reflecting on conflict throughout history. For the big finale, pupils from Lea Valley Academy sang a song that they had written during the workshop with Bethzienna Williams, reflecting on the contributions made by African soldiers and their communities during the Second World War

The event was hugely enjoyed by our guests, and Never Such Innocence is delighted to have had such a great response from local children and young people.