Turn Toward Peace (Organization)

Dates:

Active 1955

Active 1968

Biographical notes:

Turn Toward Peace is a joint national effort of over 70 organizations working for a disarmed world under law, in which free societies can flourish. Organized in New York City in the early 1960's by Robert W. Gilmore. In 1966, Turn Toward Peace incorporated, and changed it's name to World Without War Council. At the time of it's disbanding, World Without War Council was headquartered in Berkeley, Calif., under the direction of Robert Pickus.

From the description of Turn Toward Peace records, 1955-1968. (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 215370998

Founded in 1958 as Acts for Peace; name changed to Turn Toward Peace in 1961, a cooperative national effort of about 60 peace and liberal internationalist organizations; Norman Thomas was Chairman of TTP, Robert Gilmore was Executive Director. There eventually were offices in New York, Washington, Cambridge, MA, and other cities. By 1962, 38 national organizations were affiliated with Turn Toward Peace. In 1963 the organization held its first "Voluntary Organizations and a World Without War Conference,"; from these conferences emerged the Center for War/Peace Studies. But by 1963, serious discord rent TTP; it essentially ended around 1967, when a group split off from TTP and became the World Without War Council.

From the description of Turn Toward Peace records, 1961-1970. (Swarthmore College, Peace Collection). WorldCat record id: 29490864

Organizational Statement and History

Turn Toward Peace is a joint national effort of over 70 organizations working for a disarmed world under law, in which free societies can flourish. Turn Toward Peace does not pretend to speak for any of these organizations, but serves as a coordinating channel for their peace concerns. TTP has established a framework within which individuals and organizations representing the mainstream of American public opinion, along with pioneers in political and social thought, can explore the possibilities of finding alternatives to war and the threat of war -- alternatives that do not involve surrender of freedom or democratic values.

In a continuing effort, TTP stresses these primary activities: (1) Community Peace Centers; (2) Peace Interne Program (a course of study and work for young people interested in community peace leadership); (3) peace research (encouraging new research, and making increased use of it); (4 conferences for voluntary organizations; (5) liaison with peace groups in other countries. [from: Turn Toward Peace leaflet, 1963]

Turn Toward Peace (TTP) was organized in New York City in the early 1960's by Robert W. Gilmore, at that time, also director of the American Friends Service Committee in New York. In 1966, Turn Toward Peace incorporated, and changed it's name to World Without War Council. At the time of it's disbanding, World Without War Council was headquartered in Berkeley, Calif., under the direction of Robert Pickus.

From the guide to the Turn Toward Peace records, 1955-1968, (The Bancroft Library.)