What can the encounter between childhood and militarisation reveal about international politics? Marcos do Vale Araujo, a PhD Candidate in International Relations at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, attended the British International Studies Association (BISA) 2026 Annual Conference in Brighton, and reflects on how the conversations on childhood, militarisation, and global politics challenged Explore how childhood and militarisation reshape international politics through reflections from BISA 2026, challenging conventional views on security and global governance.