During the Second World War, 10,000 Canadians sought alternatives to military service. Their story remains virtually untold, having been largely relegated to short print-run books and contributions to archival collections.

On October 21 - 22, 2006, a history conference will highlight the experience of Canadian conscientious objectors in the Second World War, when about 60% of Mennonite men who were called to military service refused to participate in active military service. Instead, they sought options for alternative service through a program negotiated by Mennonite leaders with the Canadian Federal Government.

Though their experience reflects Mennonite church teachings, many people know nothing or very little about the story and significance of the conscientious objectors, even within the Mennonite community.

This conference will take a critical look at the experience of the Canadian conscientious objector in the Second World War and interpret it in today’s context, a time in which war is widely offered as a way to peace and democracy.

The War and the Conscientious Objector conference will feature speakers from a wide variety of backgrounds. Planners have invited speakers from BC to Quebec, from various Mennonite denominations as well as from the Jehovah’s Witness, Doukhobor and  Quaker denominations. In addition experts on pacifism in Canada, university students, peace activists and Second World War conscientious objectors will engage the topic.

The 65-year-old story of the Second World War COs offers one model of dealing with war in today’s world and forces people to ask, “What is the right response today to war and violence?”

The Chair of Mennonite Studies will host the lectures at the University of Winnipeg’s Eckardt Gramatte Hall. As in past years, the public is invited to attend; all sessions are free. Selected lectures will be published in the peer-evaluated publication Journal Of Mennonite Studies. The planning committee for the conference includes, John Derksen, Esther Epp-Tiessen, Royden Loewen, Conrad Stoesz, and Hans Werner. The conference is sponsored by the Chair in Mennonite Studies, Mennonite Historical Society of Canada, Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society, D.F. Plett Historical Foundation, and Mennonite Central Committee Canada.

For more information on conscientious objectors visit www.alternativeservice.ca or on the conference visit www.uwinnipeg.ca/academic/as/mennstudies.  For specific information contact Royden Loewen
r.loewen@uwinnipeg.ca or 204-786-9391.