3 March 2015
4 hours

WRI Archive Box 20
Box 20 contains 3 folders.
Folder I consists of 1 subfolder.

Subfolder 1. The cover states: 15th Triennial Conference / Noordwijkerhout, July 1975 / multiplied WRI documents
This folder contains at least a hundred documents, ranging from provisional agenda’s, minutes and revisions to draft articles to be discussed at the conference. 
* ‘Proposal for a Festival of Alternatives’
Typescript. Author: John Hyatt. No date [1974]. 2 pages.
At the last WRI council meeting Randy Kehler had suggested that the open part of the coming WRI conference ought to be turned into a Festival of Alternatives. Hyatt develops this idea and comes up with a series of proposals. First he suggests that ‘a Festival of Alternatives should have an alternative structure’. He proposes a fairground setting with stalls, sideshows, performances and small discussion groups. The purpose of the structure is to experiment with alternative ways of organizing conferences, which offer a setting that provides an opportunity for people from all over the ‘alternative world’ to get together, share ideas and visions, and to put these into a political context.
* ‘Minutes of the planning committee for the 1975 Triennial’
Typescript. Author: WRI collective. 1974. 3 pages.
Preparations for the 15th Triennial conference. The provisional conference theme: Nonviolence and political alternatives. The proposed venue for the conference: Leeuwenhorst Congrescentrum, Noordwijkerhout, Netherlands. The dates: July 12th-July 15th. Proposed number of participants: 300.
* Provisional agenda.
Typescript. Author: WRI collective. 1974. 1 page.
The conference is to be held at the Leeuwenhorst Congrescentrum, Leiden, The Netherlands. The conference theme is nonviolent political alternatives. The dates for the conference are July 12th-July 15th. The presentations and workshops will be exploring ‘the viability of nonviolent alternatives and nonviolent struggle’. The dates for the business conference are July 16th -19th. The business meeting will be discussing ‘Towards Liberation: a draft statement for the WRI’ by Michael Randle and a program of action on the Middle East. The meeting will end with the elections, changes to the constitution and the adoption of a statement. 
* ‘Proposed revision of the WRI constitution’
Typescript. Author: Jean van Lierde. 1975. 6 pages.
The changes proposed by Van Lierde are all related to the move of the WRI headquarters from London to Brussels.
* Official Ballot Paper.
Typescript. No author. 1975. 1 page.
The ballot paper for the election of a new chairperson for the 1975-1978 term. The choices are between Luca Negro (Italy), Myrtle Solomon (Great Britain) and Hein van Wijk (Netherlands).
* The official announcement of the 15th Triennial Conference.
Xerox. No author. 1975. 2 pages.
The official announcement to join the Festival of Political Nonviolent Alternatives: ‘the format is one of workshops, discussion groups and informal gatherings. Participants must bring their own ideas, concerns, projects and priorities.’ Possible topics for workshops/discussion groups: the role of alternatives in the political struggle; living collectives; work collectives; getting through group hassles; total resistance; alternative science and technology; alternative economics; nonverbal communication; food and health; local and community organizing; alternative education; and sexism – the peace movement and the larger society.
Plus translations in French and German.
* ‘WRI statement on the Middle East, a draft.’
Typescript. Author: Joe Gerson. 1975. 12 pages.
A highly balanced analysis of the Israeli-Arab conflict, that provides a solid historical background and ends with a ‘peace plan’ that aims to be fair to the Palestinian people, the Israeli’s and the Arab nations.
Plus translations in French and German.
* ‘An alternative draft proposal for WRI action on the Middle East.’
Typescript. Author: Allan Solomonov. 1975. 2 pages.
The alternative draft distinguishes between principles and practical nonviolent solutions for the conflict and ends with 7 points for action. On the whole the points of action proposed here are much more favorable to the Palestinians and the Arab nations than Gerson’s ‘WRI statement on the Middle East’. 
* ‘Nominators, Biographical Sketch, Political Statement – nominations for the WRI council’
Typescript. No author. 1975. 12 pages.
Short biographies and political affiliation of the nominees for the WRI council.
* ‘Article about the WRI triennial conference’
Typescript. Author: WRI collective. 1975. 2 pages.
Because some of the members have a hard time grasping the new conference format, this article is to be send to all prospective conference attendants to explain the idea behind it. The conference is ‘marketed’ as a meeting place for all kinds of alternative nonviolent activists: ‘How do people in the alternative media in Britain make contact with people who are keeping nuclear power out of the Rhine or Connecticut? When do total non-cooperators with conscription in France carry on a dialogue with conscientious objectors in Germany? […] People in the alternative movement know the answer […] at the WRI Triennial Conference!’

Folder II.
Folder II contains 1 subfolder.
Subfolder 1. The cover states: multiplied WRI documents / June-July 1975 / Report of the Triennial, September 1975.
The folder contains hundreds of documents including a list of all 300 participants, information on camp sites near Leiden, bike rentals, travel and hotel information, announcements and planning.
* ‘Draft Agenda for WRI Triennial: 2nd part 16-19 July 1975.’
Typescript. No author. 1975. 2 pages.
The agenda of the business meeting is much more business as usual and consists of a discussion of the ‘Headquarter’s Report’ (what used to be the Secretary’s Report), ‘Towards Liberation: its Relation to WRI’, finances and the election of a new chairperson and council members.
* ‘Statutes of the War Resisters’ International: amendments 1975, Belgium Branch.’
Typescript. No author [Jean van Lierde]. 1975. 1 page.
Official announcement that the WRI head quarters have moved to Brussels.
* ‘Workshop information’
Typescript. No author. 1975. 2 pages.
The ‘workshops not scheduled’ include: Sexual politics and radical social change; NATO consortium and arms trade; Pacifism and socialism; Peace research and action; Food crisis; Alternative theatre; Children and nonviolence; Art as a revolutionary tool; Gandhian movement; Land trusts; Bicycle workshop; Esperanto; World shops; Nonverbal communication; and ‘Towards Liberation’.
The ‘workshops scheduled’ include: Gay liberation; Alternative science and technology; Nonviolent training; Food co-operations; Living collectives; and Women’s sharing session.
* ‘Notes on a do-it-yourself-conference.’
Typescript. No author. 1975. 4 pages.
An historical exposé on the idea behind the festival. The emphasis is on ‘input/feedback’ from all participants in a convivial festival atmosphere. 
* ‘Names and addresses of the council members elected at the 15th triennial conference in July 1975 in Holland.’
Typescript. No author. 1975. 4 pages.
The new chairwoman: Myrtle Solomon, the new vice-chairwoman: Helga Weber, the new treasurer: Jean van Lierde. New Council members: Vo Van Ai, Pep Buenza, Ann Davidson, Jean Fabre, John Hyatt, George Lakey, David Reynolds, Pietro Pinna, Devi Prasad, Michael Randle, Michael Schroerer and Hein van Wijk.
* ‘Report on workshop on sexism.’
Typescript. No author. 1975. 4 pages.
The report defines sexism, explores the link between anti-sexism and war resistance (‘War is caused by states, which organize armies whose hierarchy is a replica of state hierarchy. Armies need people both to fight and kill, and to be obedient and take orders. Men are conditioned to fulfill both these functions, while women are conditioned only to fulfill the latter. Therefore it is in the interest of the state to reinforce the gender role conditioning we have now.’) and expose sexism in pacifist organizations.
* ‘Documents from the 15th triennial conference of the WRI.’
Booklet. Various authors. September 1975. 30 pages.
The booklet contains ‘An alternative draft proposal for WRI action on the Middle East’ (see folder I), ‘Proposal for a Statement on the Middle East Problem’ (6 pages), ‘Conscientious Objection and Total Resistance’ (2 pages), ‘Report on workshop on sexism’, ‘Action Proposal from India Group (1 page. A short article that calls on WRI members to support the People’s Movement for Peaceful Revolution and to join them in their demands for land reform and social justice), ‘Simple Living and Conscious Consumption’ (1 page. A call to decrease our consumption and energy use: ‘The less we consume, the less we exploit’. See also Box 21, folder IV), ‘Anarchism: a material analysis and the nonviolent movement (1 page. The result of the workshop on ‘Towards Liberation’, which is deemed a ‘useful statement on which to base an analysis of present society and a strategy for nonviolent revolution’), ‘Publications’ (1 page. The outcome of the workshop Publications, which discussed the future of War Resistance, the WRI Newsletter and the special publications. The treasurer wants to limit or discontinue the publications. The workshop firmly disagrees and states that WRI is overwhelmingly paid for by private people, and these private people partly pay for the WRI because of these means of communication.).
* ‘Headquarter’s Report’
Typescript. Author: WRI collective. 1975. 7 pages.
The most important announcement: the headquarter, now functioning as a collective, has moved to Brussels. In the final passage in the section ‘For the future, WRI History’ the collective announces ‘the microfilming of WRI archive material, and the possible deposit of our archives in a sympathetic library/research centre has opened possibilities for research and publication about the WRI’s rich history.’

Folder III
Folder III contains 1 subfolder.
Subfolder 1. The cover states: multiplied WRI documents, no date.
The folder contains numerous letters protesting the state of emergency in India and demanding the immediate release of political prisoners and the restoration of all fundamental civil and human rights.
* ‘Headquarter’s Report’
Typescript. Author: WRI collective. 1974. 9 pages.
This is the original version of the ‘Headquarter’s Report’ in subfolder 2. The report deals with the contacts with the sections, with peace organizations worldwide, with the United Nations and in particular the World Peace Council, but mostly it is about staff matters – the birth of the WRI collective and the move to Brussels.
* ‘Headquarter’s Report’
Typescript. Author: WRI collective. 1975. 9 pages. 
The final version of the previous report and the one in folder II.
* ‘Three years of “Graswurtzelrevolution”: a step to a nonviolent revolutionary movement in German speaking countries.’
Typescript. No author. 1974. 3 pages.
The article deals with the success of the Graswurtzelrevolution (the grass roots revolution), a German periodical with a rapidly growing readership and circulation. With its emphasis on nonviolent action, anti-militarism and ecology the journal clearly filled a void in Germany.

WRI Archive Box 21
Box 21 contains 4 folders.
Folder I consists of 2 subfolders.

Subfolder 1. The cover states: correspondence planning committee / October 1974-July 1975.
The folder contains dozens of letters. Despite all the problems they ran into organizing the conference most of the letters are upbeat, funny and very charming.
* Letter from Randy Kehler to Joe Gerson
Original letter. Author: Randy Kehler. 20 October 1974. 2 pages.
In this letter Randy first presents his idea for a festival format for the conference. He drew his inspiration from a symposium on alternative energy that was organized along these lines.

Subfolder 2. The cover states: The Daily Subversive: Newsletter of the 15th Triennial Conference.
* ‘The Daily Subversive – Le Quotidien de la Subversion – Die Tägliche Subversion’
Newsletter, stenciled. No author. 1975. 5 pages. Languages: English, French and German.
The first issue contains the announcement of a daily conference newsletter and the news that former WRI chairperson Harold Bing has died a few weeks earlier.
* ‘The Daily Subversive: Newsletter of the 15th Triennial Conference, 12 July 1975.’
Newsletter, stenciled. No author. 1975. 6 pages. Languages: English, French and German.
The workshop ‘Childcare and children and nonviolence’ turns out to be the hit of the conference. ‘During the festival as many as 23 young ones will be sharing themselves with us. Almost 70 people have offered to play with them during the four days of the festival.’
* ‘The Daily Subversive: Newsletter of the 15th Triennial Conference, 14 July 1975.’
Newsletter, stenciled. No author. 1975. 12 pages. Languages: English, French and German.
A report about the ‘Radio workshop’ that teaches all about how to make a radio report and the announcement of two new workshops: ‘Alternative medicine’ and ‘Language imperialism’.
* ‘The Daily Subversive: Newsletter of the 15th Triennial Conference, 15 July 1975.’
Newsletter, stenciled. No author. 1975. 10 pages. Languages: English, French and German.
This newsletter calls upon the attendants to join a demonstration at the Indian embassy in The Hague and offers reviews of workshops on ‘Alternative science and technology’, ‘Food co-operations’ and ‘Living collectives’. 

Folder II
Folder II contains 1 subfolder.
Subfolder 1. The cover states: elections of chairperson plus council.
At least a hundred documents recording the election process and results. The WRI election process: WRI headquarters sends out ballot papers to all sections. Every section nominates a candidate. The candidates are notified and the ones that accept their nomination hand in a biography plus a statement about their political affiliation. The final election takes place at the business conference. This time around sections backed, among others, Devi Prasad, David McReynolds, Bernard Clavel, Luca Negro, George Lakey, Myrtle Solomon and Hein van Wijk. Myrtle Solomon, Luca Negro and Hein van Wijk were the only ones to accept their nomination. 

Folder III.
Folder III contains 1 subfolder.
Subfolder 1. The cover states: women’s gatherings.
This folder contains documents regarding the organization of the women’s gatherings – the ‘women’s booth’, a ‘free zone for women to discuss concerns, build friendships and share ideas’ – and the workshops ‘Sexual politics and radical social change’ and ‘Women’s theatre’, which specialized in guerilla theatre about sexism and sex roles.
* ‘For a Society Free of All Domination.’
Typescript. Author: Maryelle. 1975. 1 page.
Maryelle, a anti-militarist activist of 10 years experience, shares her disillusionment with the peace movement and WRI, in particular with the secondary role attributed to women. Another disillusionment is the scant recognition of the importance of women’s lib within the nonviolent movement. Part of the problem, she indicates, is that nonviolence has no radical political aim. With its white, Christian middleclass background ‘we are too inclined to respect humanitarian values, and as a result we end up respecting the institutions we are supposedly fighting against […] Women’s struggle and nonviolent action are directly connected because they both imply a change in mentality and structure.’

Folder IV.
Folder IV contains 2 subfolders.
Subfolder 1. The cover states: participants.
Hundreds of documents regarding invitations to peace groups, ‘alternative groups’ – including groups dedicated to alternative energy, economy, medicine, child care, mental health, ecology, feminism and the antinuclear energy movement (basically the whole of the alternative community has been invited) – as well as the sections and individuals. The folder also contains a list of alternative and mainstream publications, a list of all 300 attendants and leaflets and press releases.
Subfolder 2. The cover states: various conference documents.
The file contains hundreds of documents, including correspondence, journals and periodicals.
* A collection of songs that could be performed during the conference.
Typescript. Author: Roland von Malmborg. 1975. 4 pages.
* ‘Fair Shaking for Peace Conversion.’
Xerox. Author: Nathalie Shires. 1975. 2 pages.
The article presents a vivid description of the Fair Shake Festival, a presentation of alternative culture in Somerville, Massachusetts. 
* ‘European Workgroup Situational Analysis.’
Typescript. Author: European Workgroup. 1975. 2 pages.
The European Workgroup (an autonomous part of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation) is proposing a situational analysis of Europe in order to ‘acquire a general description of the various forces that exist’, to become a ‘Yellow Pages for the movement, i.e. a guide containing some information about the main groups and organizations’ and to perform ‘a macro analysis for Europe’.
* Two issues of Le Neutron Libéré (No 5, June 1974, No. 7, Spring 1975), a French periodical exposing the dangers of nuclear energy.
* ‘Nonviolent Direct Action: the Organ of WRI Japan.’
Periodical, No. 8, July 1975. No author. 1975. 9 pages. Languages: English and Japanese.
In this periodical WRI Japan presents itself to the triennial conference. The group itself is quite small and so geographically scattered they hardly ever meet. They apologize for their lack of progress and complain about the sectarianism of most Japanese action groups.
* ‘Simple Life and Conscious Consumption.’
Typescript. No author. No date [1975]. 1 page.
This is the original article published in Documents from the 15th triennial conference of the WRI (see WRI Archive Box 20, folder II). ‘Our daily consumption of products, services and resources has enormous implications – politically, culturally and ecologically. […] All the material things we consume have an effect on the world, in terms of human exploitation, the poisoning of ourselves and our environment and the exhaustion of energy and natural resources.’ One way to reduce ones consumption is by living collectively, another one by being more consciously aware of what you buy.