Upon arriving in northern Germany for the 17th International Conference of War Tax Resistance and Peace Tax Campaigns, we were greeted by beautiful weather and an unexpected delight - vibrant kites soaring in the sky as part of an annual kite festival. Among the colourful display were Chinese dragons, jellyfish kites, and amusing figures from cartoons and comics, bringing a playful energy to the start of what promised to be an impactful and inspiring conference.
Day 1: Setting the stage with country reports
After settling in at the venue near Lübeck, the conference began with an introductory session. This opening offered a powerful overview of the global movement, highlighted through country reports from the UK, Germany, and the USA, setting the tone for the days ahead.
Conscience presented the UK report, sharing our ongoing efforts to campaign for the legal right to redirect the military portion of taxes toward peacebuilding initiatives. We also highlighted our recent work, including progress on a new peace tax bill, the relaunch of our website, updates on our educational efforts, and our presence at key events such as the WRI conference and Remembrance and CO Day. The discussion prompted engaging questions, leading to broader reflections on our priorities moving forward.
Germany: Advocating for the civil tax law
Following our presentation, Germany provided an in-depth report on their national movement. The Netzwerk Friedenssteuer continues to advocate for the Civil Tax Law, which would allow taxpayers in Germany to choose whether their taxes are used exclusively for civilian purposes or for military expenditure. This proposal aligns with Conscience’s vision of redirecting military taxes to peacebuilding efforts. Despite persistent efforts, including petitions and public events, widespread public support for this initiative remains a challenge.
In 2023, the Netzwerk Friedenssteuer celebrated its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of advocacy for peace-focused taxation. However, the organisation faces challenges, including fewer active members and declining donations. The recent allocation of a €100 billion special fund for the Bundeswehr has further shifted public sentiment away from the vision of a civilian tax law. Despite these setbacks, the network remains determined, with a recent award boosting their efforts and encouraging further collaboration with peace organisations to advance their cause.
USA: Rising interest in war tax resistance
Lincoln Rice, the coordinator of the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC) presented the USA report, providing an update on the status of the movement in the US. He shared the current situation surrounding tax withholding and resistance, noting that interest in war tax resistance has increased, especially in the wake of recent global conflicts. Rice highlighted that, since COVID-19, the movement has seen a rise in online engagement, with more people visiting the NWTRCC website and exploring ways to resist paying taxes that fund military action. The USA’s ongoing involvement in wars, both directly and indirectly, has only heightened public interest in the peace tax movement, underscoring the urgency of our collective mission.
Day 2: Rethinking security in a changing world
The second day of the conference kicked off with a powerful and thought-provoking session by Ralf Becker, coordinator of the “Rethinking Security” initiative. Becker, a seasoned peace advocate, presented a vision that challenges traditional military-based security paradigms, urging a shift toward civil security policies.
His presentation, titled “Rethinking Security – From military to civil cooperation,” highlighted the limitations of military intervention and emphasised the importance of cooperative crisis management. Becker drew attention to lessons learned from past conflicts, specifically referencing the ongoing repercussions of the war in Afghanistan. He reminded us that wars are often driven by “wishful thinking and power fantasies” and that military solutions are consistently overestimated in their ability to achieve lasting peace.
Key insights: Moving from military to civil security
Becker critiqued military power politics, focusing particularly on the U.S. strategy of “Full Spectrum Dominance,” which seeks military superiority across all domains. He argued that this approach exemplifies the failure of militaristic policies to secure peace. Instead, Becker called for a “medium-term exit” from military peacekeeping, comparing it to the phased approach of nuclear energy phase-outs. Transitioning to civil peacebuilding policies, he suggested, is both possible and necessary.
One of the most impactful arguments was the need for a Civil Security Policy, which prioritises conflict resolution through dialogue, humanitarian efforts, and the conversion of armed forces into structures that serve peace rather than perpetuate conflict. This vision is supported by numerous positive examples, including successful civil interventions in Africa and the work of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding. Becker stressed that investing in civil crisis intervention and peacebuilding yields far more sustainable outcomes than military action.
Spotlight on the Indigenous Reconnection Council in CAR
One of the most fascinating elements of the discussion was Becker’s mention of the Indigenous Reconnection Council in the Central African Republic (CAR). This council plays a vital role in fostering interreligious reconciliation and addressing deep-rooted conflicts through traditional and community-based peacebuilding efforts. Becker emphasised the importance of these indigenous approaches, noting that they offer valuable insights into managing conflicts without resorting to military intervention.
The Council in CAR exemplifies how civil interventions can create sustainable peace by reconnecting communities with their cultural and indigenous roots. This approach fosters a deeper sense of mutual understanding, helping to rebuild trust between conflicting parties. Becker announced that a full report on these initiatives, including case studies and outcomes, will be launched soon, providing valuable information on how indigenous frameworks for peace can be applied in broader contexts.
Hope and possibility
The session ended on an optimistic note, with Becker sharing stories of how civil peace initiatives have already garnered widespread support. His message resonated with attendees, many of whom expressed a renewed sense of hope for the future. As one participant put it: “This scenario allows us to believe in the possibility of real change.” Becker’s work, backed by over 150 supporting organisations and numerous successful initiatives, serves as a beacon of hope that civil peace policies can and will prevail.
This session underscored the critical importance of rethinking security, not just as an abstract concept but as an actionable framework for achieving long-term peace. The path forward, as Becker showed, is through cooperation, dialogue, and a collective commitment to reducing reliance on military solutions.
Conscience’s reflections
Ralf Becker’s presentation deeply resonated with our mission at Conscience: Taxes for Peace Not War. His call to transition from military peacekeeping to civil security policies aligns with our campaign to redirect UK taxes away from war and toward peacebuilding initiatives. Becker’s critique of military intervention and emphasis on civil crisis management reinforces our belief that military solutions are overestimated in their ability to create lasting peace. His examples of successful civil interventions, such as the Indigenous Reconnection Council in CAR, provide compelling evidence that peace can be achieved through dialogue, reconciliation, and community-led efforts, rather than through military force.
At Conscience, we advocate for a world where taxes nurture peace, not war. Becker’s vision for a Civil Security Policy mirrors our long-standing campaign for the legal right to have the military portion of taxes redirected toward peacebuilding efforts. His work supports our mission to progressively shift government spending from military interventions to peace-focused initiatives. The upcoming report he discussed will undoubtedly be a crucial resource for demonstrating the effectiveness of civil security strategies, further strengthening our campaign for conscientious objection to military taxation in the UK.
Day 3: Formal conference
We then shifted to the formal business of the conference, focusing on the vital work of the organisation and its future direction. Although we faced some difficult decisions, the overall atmosphere was positive and encouraging. A key highlight was the discussion of Derek Brett’s role as CPTI’s representative at the United Nations. His efforts are crucial in maintaining the organisation’s visibility, especially given the limited opportunities to address the issue of conscientious objection to military taxation at the UN.
Participants also explored ways to enhance CPTI’s website, aiming to increase resource availability and better showcase the initiatives of national organisations. Additionally, it was agreed to hold an interim CPTI conference in 2025, as we prepare to finalise the location and format for the 18th CPTI conference in 2026.
The conference provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with peace campaigners from various countries, especially those from Germany. This exchange of experiences and expertise was essential in motivating one another to persist in our efforts for a world where taxes are allocated to peace rather than war.
Why this conference matters for Conscience
For over three decades, Conscience has played a key role in the international Peace Tax Movement. By attending this year’s conference, we reaffirmed our commitment to the cause and the values we stand for - redirecting military taxes to fund peacebuilding efforts. Held in the historic city of Lübeck, a symbol of peace and harmony, this gathering was crucial for strengthening our movement. We participated in important discussions, shared strategies, and worked alongside global advocates to further the cause of conscientious objection to military taxation.
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