|
The conference was launched in Sandefjord Church on Friday afternoon, with dancing by Ragnhild Synnøve
Bjannes and Marit Gjølme Dalva and a lecture given by Per Ingvar Haukeland: "New Earth, New
Peace: Listening to the Voice of Conscience". Later that evening, there was more discussion with Per
Ingvar at Skiringsaal College where the conference continued.
Saturday was a full day, starting with update reports from each country represented. This was followed
by a lecture by Nils Butenschøn: "Taxes for Peace, Not War: A Human Rights Perspective." This
talk was open to the public and some Sandefjord citizens came to hear and join the discussion afterwards.
In the afternoon there was a presentation of the Norwegian Peace Tax Study, based on a new book written
by Alexander Harang of the Norwegian Peace Tax Alliance: Peace Tax 2010. Copies in Norwegian and
English were distributed to all conferees. Later, workshops were conducted, looking deeply into specific
aspects of the campaign. In the evening, participants were able to relax and sing Norwegian folk songs
with Odd Georg Murud.
On Sunday, conferees met to sum up the conference and decide where the next conference in 2012 will take
place. More information about the latter will be posted on this Web site once details are finalized. The
conference concluded with the writing of an open letter to governments of all nations, all houses of worship
and religious organizations, and human rights leaders of the world. Read
the open letter (PDF file, 152 KB, new window) or download
a copy for your own use (word processed file, 72 KB, new window).
Photographs courtesy of Friedrich Heilmann. View all of his Conference photographs (new window).
|
|
