Anti War Action is a worldwide campaign to highlight the SCI values of anti-militarism and non-violence. These values have been a common thread in all the movement's activities throughout its 90 year existence.

SCI was founded in 1920, ninety years ago. It all started with a meeting in connection with the First World War, peace-activists gathered in the Netherlands to discuss ways to prevent such a destructive war again. You can read here more about the beginning of SCI.

The direct occasion of the foundation of SCI was thus a war. And looking at the world today, wars are still going on, arms-trade is still growing and violent means of solving a conflict seems to be justified in many cases. Throughout the years after 1920 up till now there were not many people within SCI who actually thought they themselves could stop wars. This is also unrealistic. However, there was always a radical anti-war thinking in the way SCI worked and works.

We just don't agree with a world, where the language of weapons is used rather than open and non-violent communication. We don't agree with all the money invested in defence and attacking systems, rather than in sustainable development and the fight against disease, hunger & impoverishment. We don't agree with a Nobel-prize winners for peace, who states that “war is sometimes needed to achieve peace” in order to legitimate the sending of more troops to Afghanistan.

By carrying out the anti-war action in 2010 (and hopefully coming years as well), SCI would like to pay extra attention to the ideology of anti-militarism and non-violence, as well as the root causes of war such as social injustice, economic exploitation, racism, discrimination & the unequal distribution of natural resources.  Although civil service nowadays seems to be only a way of personal development and growth, it was (also) meant to eventually replace military service. Working and building together in harmony for a better world, rather than destroying our earth; supporting local organizations, which have the same aims, with volunteer power. The idea of peace brigades is still present. It should however be put in the spotlight again and that's why SCI will carry out the anti-war action.

The basis of the anti-war action will be formed by so called no-more-war camps, which are special workcamps with a focus on themes as anti-militarism, non-violence and the history of SCI. At least one third of the camp will be filled by a study theme in which the participants explore ideas about war and peace. There will be questions as: Are wars inevitable? What are the deeper causes of war and how can they be diminished? Why is peace more than just the absence of war? What are the principles of non-violence and how can one bring this in practice? It is also in the planning that such workcamps will be visited by a volunteer/guest speaker, who actually served in a war zone or a conflict area. 

Besides the no-more-war camps we would like to comment on themes like actual war-politics, stimulate activists to take part in non-violent direct actions and join other activities in the framework of SCI's 90th anniversary.

Anti-war Action is following-up previous SCI's Pacifist Voluntary Projects.