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 In August 1920, an international peace congress was organised in Bilthoven (Netherlands). Pacifists discussed, what could be done for peace after the World War. One of the ideas discussed at the conference came from Swiss engineer Pierre Ceresole. He wanted to form an international group of volunteers who would do practical reconstruction work, working and living together in a spirit of peace and friendship. 

As consequence he went to Eastern France in order to find out what work could be done and how. He decided to start their reconstruction work in Esnes, near Verdun where 1916 one of the most devastating battle of World War I took place. 

The village was almost completely destroyed and there were abandoned war machines and unexploded shells and mines everywhere. 

Ten volunteers took part in the Esnes-project. The volunteers build temporary homes for the villagers and cleared the farm land so that it could be used again. The fact, that three of them were German, was seen as crucial and symbolic by the group; a step towards reconciliation between France and Germany. Quite a lot work was done for the reconstruction of the village and the former villagers came back to Esnes. But the project had to be stopped after five month as consequence of the still difficult relation between France and Germany. Although the project didn't got that publicity, Ceresole and his friends gained valuable experience to organise workcamps. 

Photos 

1) Esnes (Verdun, France, 1920) 

Documents 

E) Reconciliation in workcamp projects in former Yugoslavia 

Exercises 

a) After the first world war a strong peace movement started in Europe. The slogan common slogan was “No more war”. The first SCI service was also reaction on that war and aimed to be symbolic action. In order to understand the symbol of Esnes, ask the participants, what they know about first world war: 
When did it start, which countries were involved
What were the specific problems of the war (gas war, war in trenches, long battles ..) What were the political consequences afterwards (e.g. Russian Revolution, Hitler came to power) 
Guess why this attempt of a symbolic reconciliation wasn't successful. 

Make notes on a poster for further discussions. Add comments if necessary (continue with proposal b) 

b) Show photo No.1 and explain, what was done in Esnes. . 

c) Ceresole had the idea, that workcamps contribute to international understanding, so that volunteers would refuse to be made each other’s enemies. Read document E about reconciliation projects in former Yugoslavia in a small group :
What do you think about this approach to create reconciliation and peace in a conflict region? - What creates peace after a violent conflict?