Birth of War Resisters’ International 1921

War Resisters’ International was founded in 1921 at Bilthoven in Holland. The founding conference was held at the home of Kees Boeke, a Dutch pacifist and anarchist, in March of that year. Four countries were represented: Britain, Germany, Austria and Holland. The British delegate was Wilfred Wellock, a former conscientious objector, of the No More War Movement. The original name of the group was Paco, the Esperanto name for Peace. The conference agreed a Declaration, which every person seeking to join would be asked to agree: ‘War is a crime against humanity. We therefore are determined not to support any kind of war and to strive for the removal of all causes of war.’ (1)

The organisation still exists today, describing itself thus: ‘We are a global pacifist and antimilitarist network with over 90 affiliated groups in 40 countries.’

References/Further Reading:

(1) D. Prasad, 2005. War is a Crime Against Humanity: The Story of War Resisters’ International. London: War Resisters’ International.
(2) About War Resisters’ International.