[SGRupdate] "Big Bang" Event is really Big BAE, not Science Education

[Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR)]

Press Release - For Immediate Release

"Big Bang" Event is really Big BAE, not Science Education

Campaigning organisations Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) and
Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) have jointly condemned the sponsorship
of a youth science event by the UK's largest arms company.

Arms manufacturer BAE Systems is a major sponsor of "The Big Bang", a
science and technology education event aimed at young people. CAAT and SGR
say that BAE's involvement is entirely inappropriate and the sponsorship
deal should be immediately withdrawn. They compare BAE's involvement to
allowing Darth Vader to demonstrate his light sabre at a children's party.

The Big Bang – apparently BAE does not see the irony in the title – is to
be held at the QEII Centre at Westminster during National Science Week on
4-6 March 2009. Organisers say that 10,000 students and teachers are
expected to attend.

BAE claims that it is sponsoring the Big Bang to encourage cooperation
between government, industry and engineering institutions and to "inspire
the next generation of scientists, engineers and technologists in the UK."

SGR and CAAT say that BAE supports science education in order to recruit
more young people into its sphere. However, BAE makes its money by selling
weapons, including to some of the world's most dangerous countries. Rather
than more weapons, the world needs a green energy revolution and major
investment in sustainable science and technology.

Dr Stuart Parkinson, Executive Director of Scientists for Global
Responsibility, says:

"The high-profile involvement of BAE Systems in this event sends
completely the wrong message to young people. It encourages them to
associate science and technology with war, the arms trade and nuclear
weapons. We need to offer young people a far more positive vision of how
science and technology can be used, one which gives much higher priority
to achieving environmental sustainability and social justice, and offers
alternatives to the use of military force."

Kaye Stearman, spokesperson for CAAT says:

"BAE Systems is currently involved in court cases and corruption
investigations in seven countries. The weapons trade is not a legitimate
business. No company can participate in it ethically. The arms trade
exacerbates conflicts across the globe and contributes heavily to an
increasingly unstable world."

Notes

1.	Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) works for the reduction and ultimate
abolition of the international arms trade.
2.	Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) is an independent UK-based
membership organisation of 1000 natural and social scientists, engineers,
IT professionals and architects. SGR promotes ethical science, design and
technology, based on the principles of openness, accountability, peace,
social justice and environmental sustainability.
3.	The Big Bang is co-sponsored by oil giant Shell. Partners include the
government Department of Innovation, Universities & Skills and the
Department Children Schools and Families. Other partners include The Royal
Academy of Engineering, the Engineering & Technology Board, the Royal
Aeronautical Society, the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and the
Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Contacts

Kaye Stearman, CAAT
07990 673232
<press at caat.org.uk>

Stuart Parkinson, SGR
07941 953640
<stuartp at sgr.org.uk>