STUC Unions into Schools and the Alistair Hulett Memorial Trust: Songs for Social Justice Festival

The STUC’s Unions into Schools project has worked in partnership with the Alistair Hulett Memorial Trust to organise a new piece of work on the subject of Songs for Social Justice. This work has seen schools write, perform and record songs about young people’s experience and understanding of social justice.

Later this month, the young people will come together alongside musicians and trade unionists to discuss the background to their songs and the historical and contemporary context of popular politicized music and the role that this type of music can have in raising awareness and encouraging activism.

The Songs for Social Justice project will then culminate at the STUC Centre on the evening of the 26^th of January with a DJ set headlined by Jerry Dammers and also featuring Northern Xposure, Mark Linton and Tam Coyle.

Grahame Smith, General Secretary, Scottish TUC

“Encouraging school students to write songs relevant to them on the theme of social justice is an exciting opportunity for the Scottish TUC.  For working people over the years, the arts have been a powerful means of articulating messages of protest, of hope and of demands for progressive change and a better way.  I am delighted that the STUC is helping continue this important tradition working with today’s young people.”

The Alistair Hulett Memorial Trust

 “The Alistair Hulett Memorial Trust (AHMT) is proud and delighted to be partnering the STUC Unions into Schools in the “Songs for Social Justice” Festival.  The AHMT, established in Scotland and Australia following the death of Alistair in January 2010, exists both to promote Alistair’s legacy and to advance his ideals of, and aspirations for, social justice for all.  The “New Songs for Social Justice” Festival will encourage and nurture the work of schools in considering and valuing principles of social justice through the creative medium of song, an initiative Alistair would wholeheartedly have supported.”

Sheena MacDonald, Regional Organiser, The Musicians’ Union

“There is a long history of songwriters and musicians contributing to struggles and campaigns for social justice.  Music and song has played a huge role in galvanising, sustaining and recording the struggles of ordinary people.  The Musicians’ Union is delighted to support this initiative to encourage young people to write songs about the issues of social justice which matter to them.”

Songs for Social Justice Dance Night featuring guest DJ Jerry Dammers -

o      Thursday 26^th January

o      STUC, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow

o     6.45pm – midnight

o      Tickets £8/£4 - Available direct from the STUC - 0141 337 8100