Tag Archives: Anti-war

Owning our crises

Posted on March 26, 2022 by Eddie Playfair

The climate emergency and environmental degradation, the Covid-19 pandemic, the injustices of systemic racism, wars and their humanitarian consequences, the sharp rise in the cost of living… As one crisis succeeds another in dominating our thoughts, it’s easy to see … Continue reading →

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An A-Z for a world which has to change.

Posted on March 22, 2020 by Eddie Playfair

In the midst of a global coronavirus pandemic which threatens many lives, we need to remember that this is just one of several global crises we face which will change our world in profound ways. All these challenges require us … Continue reading →

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Familiale (Jacques Prévert)

Posted on March 10, 2019 by Eddie Playfair

The mother is knitting The son is fighting She thinks it quite natural the mother And the father what is he doing the father? He’s doing business His wife is knitting His son is fighting He’s doing business He thinks … Continue reading →

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A global crisis requires a global politics

Posted on March 12, 2017 by Eddie Playfair

A few days ago, on 10 March, Stephen O’Brien, the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs reported to the UN Security Council on the largest humanitarian crisis facing humanity since 1945. Many global challenges vie for our attention, but … Continue reading →

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Four cousins went to war.

Posted on December 28, 2016 by Eddie Playfair

This is a very brief account of the lives of 4 young men from around a century ago; all members of the same Scottish family. The accounts are neither special nor representative and they form a tiny fraction of the story … Continue reading →

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Les réfugiés francophones de Londres.

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Eddie Playfair

Nous nous sommes réunis au Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle le 19 Octobre pour rappeler les évènements qui ont bouleversé le monde il y un siècle. Avant d’évoquer le Londres de 1916, je me permets d’évoquer celui de 1966. C’est … Continue reading →

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London’s francophone refugees

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Eddie Playfair

We are roughly at the mid point of our commemoration of the First World War. Let’s look back just over a hundred years. London before the outbreak of war in 1914 was the greatest industrial city in the world and … Continue reading →

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A Warrior’s Lament by Nnamdi Olebara.

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Eddie Playfair

For remembrance day: A Warrior’s Lament by Nnamdi Olebara Now on the battlefield I know what faces me. It is death; my death. I do not hate those I fight; It is their deeds I hate. Those I am fighting … Continue reading →

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“Five minutes after the air raid” by Miroslav Holub

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Eddie Playfair

In Pilsen, twenty-six Station Road, she climbed to the third floor up stairs which were all that was left of the whole house, she opened her door full on to the sky, stood gaping over the edge. For this was … Continue reading →

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