PAX has its roots in the organizations Pax Christi and IKV, the standard bearers for the Dutch peace movement in the 1960s. In 2006, they joined forces to work together in a single peace organization; from 2014 onwards, known as PAX.
Nowadays, PAX is a single independent organization, not affiliated with any political interests, supported by a broad base of engaged citizens and civil society organizations. IKV and Pax Christi monitor PAX’s mission, based on two core values:
- human dignity;
- solidarity with peace activists and the victims of wartime violence.
Pax Christi
Pax Christi was started by French citizens in the final days of the Second World War. The Dutch branch of Pax Christi was set up on 5 May 1948 in Utrecht. It is a movement with roots in the Catholic Church, and driven by one idea: no more war.
Interkerkelijk Vredesberaad
The foundation IKV (Interkerkelijk Vredesberaad, or Inter-church Peace Council) was formed in 1966 by nine religious denominations for the purpose of studying the issues related to war and peace, and finding ways to promote peace.