Our Vision
This is the world we want to see. It will take more than just CAAT to achieve this vision.
A just, peaceful and sustainable world built on foundations of equity and solidarity.
Our Mission
This is the part of our vision that CAAT is working to build. This is the goal to which we hold ourselves accountable and how we measure our success.
The arms trade ends. The violence, oppression and corruption that it perpetuates ends with it. The people and institutions that support it stop causing suffering, death and destruction.
Our Values
How we work is as important as what we are working for. Our values shape the way we work to achieve our goals.
WE ARE RADICAL
We work for the abolition of the arms trade and the systems of power that it is part of. In pursuit of this, we support meaningful steps towards reducing its worst harms. We are bold and forthright in creatively challenging power, working to overturn the multiple and overlapping forms of oppression that the arms trade reinforces.
WE STAND AND ACT IN SOLIDARITY
We seek to be guided by the voices of people affected by the arms trade and use our influence to amplify them.
We believe our movement is strongest when we are open to learning from others, and work to build alliances to fight oppression together. We strive to be anti-racist and anti-oppressive and to challenge ourselves on privileges we hold, especially those that perpetuate the systems of injustice we are working to abolish.
WE WORK WITH INTEGRITY
Our credibility comes from the rigour and accuracy of our research, actions and communication. We promote transparency and collaboration through sharing our analysis, data and skills.
WE WORK AGAINST HIERARCHY
We seek to identify, challenge and work against the formal and informal power structures that exist within our society and inside our organisation. We distribute power and leadership by engaging openly and welcoming contributions from everyone, working to reach a consensus when making a decision.
We value a diversity of experience and expertise and prioritise creating space in our movement for those whose voices have historically been ignored or marginalised. We seek to reflect our non-hierarchical values by ensuring that all involved in CAAT are treated with equal respect and that their voices are fully heard and considered.
What this means in practice
CAAT is both an organisation and a movement of supporters, activists and partners.
Our network of local groups and contacts play a vital role in spreading our message and campaigning up and down the country.
We work with a wide range of partners who share our values and goals, including diaspora communities, other campaigning groups and elected representatives at all levels.
CAAT has a non-hierarchical organisational structure. All permanent members of staff are members of the Steering Committee (CAAT’s board of directors), along with an equal number of non-executive directors drawn from our supporter base. Steering Committee is responsible for CAAT’s governance and strategy.
Our small team of paid staff are responsible for the day-to-day management of the organisation and are supported by our dedicated office volunteers, without whom we would not be able to function.
Campaign Against Arms Trade strives towards ethical and inclusive working practices in all that we do. We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all involved with the organisation. Our equal opportunities policy can be read here.
We have also signed up to Together Against Prevent and Keep Volunteering Voluntary.
