Remembering Carl von Ossietzky: Pacifists like him are relevant until civilization exists

By Mansee Bal Bhargava  

In a world fractured by war and violence, fragmented by ideologies, and driven by capitalism, there is a serious void of global pacifists who can voice the suffering of many and work toward peace. This void becomes even more critical as the declining credibility and compliance of the United Nations signals a civilizational crisis, while the escalating planetary crisis points toward ecological collapse. Amidst this global turmoil, searching for pacifist leaders may seem naïve—but for a believer in peace and ecology, it is a pursuit worth undertaking. At the very least, this effort serves as a reminder of Carl von Ossietzky’s words: "We cannot speak to the conscience of the world when our own conscience is asleep." In every scientific endeavor, seeking conscience is reason enough to look toward Ossietzky.

Remembering Carl von Ossietzky—a German pacifist—encourages us to search for contemporary Ossietzkian figures as a tribute. This reflection is particularly meaningful as I am currently engaged with the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg at the ICBM (Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment) in Wilhelmshaven. Although not part of my official work, as a close political observer, I found it exciting to contribute to coordinating a bilateral German-Dutch research project on a transboundary wetland and UNESCO World Heritage Site (2009)—the Wadden Sea. The full project coordination details can be found here. 

More information about the Wadden Sea as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is available here. 

The project focuses on the relationship between sediment, ecology, human co-use, flood safety, and effective protection and management of the Wadden Sea. Although the research is primarily based in natural sciences, linking Ossietzky’s values of peace to our work is a personal interest. My social science contribution is supported by the political framework of three nation-states—Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark—that are committed to peace and environmental justice. The trilateral cooperation, officially signed in 1978, is for me a deeper manifestation of peacebuilding, where science and politics across borders collaborate to strengthen mutual stewardship. More about this cooperation can be read here. 

Foreground

So, what—or who—is a pacifist (pax – peace, facere – to make)? A pacifist is someone who believes that war and violence are wrong, and who is willing to pacify tensions. They refuse to participate in armed conflict and advocate for resolving disputes solely through peaceful negotiation, diplomacy, and nonviolent resistance.

In my limited understanding, Mahatma Gandhi was an absolute pacifist with his philosophy of Ahimsa and Satyagraha. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela followed pacifism through Gandhian principles in their social justice movements. Confucius was a conditional pacifist, emphasizing moral virtue and diplomacy, but also viewing war as a necessary tool for rulers in certain circumstances.

Most ordinary citizens, while not proponents of war, implicitly believe that military action may be necessary for national security. Many are also influenced by media that glorifies military operations, often portraying them like video games. Many world leaders may share this ambivalence, but their silence or complacency in resisting war and violence creates a hostile environment for pacifists to take charge. Today, I miss political, spiritual, and religious leaders who are true pacifists. We are in dire need of prominent pacifists who can resolve the many unnecessary conflicts fueled by fascist tendencies around the world.

The United Nations, as a collective body, enshrines pacifistic values in its Charter, operational since October 24, 1945. The Charter outlines fundamental principles of international relations, obligating member states to settle disputes peacefully and explicitly prohibiting the threat or use of force. However, when national leaders fail to comply with these principles, the search for ardent pacifists beyond formal UN structures becomes all the more urgent. Whether through active warfare, silent complicity, or apathy toward the killing of children, the destruction of civic infrastructure, and the ecological devastation caused by wars of ego, most world leaders have failed—even showing a kind of immunity to these tragedies. The rise of fascism in several countries—marked by dictatorial leadership, economic regimentation, suppression of opposition, and unprecedented destruction of natural resources—is directly linked to social-ecological injustice. This is impacting both humanity and biodiversity, pushing us toward a point of no return.

Carl von Ossietzky (October 3, 1889 – May 4, 1938) was a committed democrat and pacifist. His first article criticizing a pro-military court decision in Das Freie Volk (The Free People), the weekly of the Democratic Union, set the course for his career as a journalist and writer. Through his writings, he fearlessly raised political issues of his time, including early insights into fascism. His doctrine of a "peace mentality" stirred public opinion, first in Hamburg, where he formed the German Peace Society and founded Der Wegweiser (The Signpost). Later, his monthly Mitteilungsblatt (Information Sheet) became a regular contribution to the Monisten Monatsheften (Monists' Monthly) in Berlin until he began writing for the Berliner Volkszeitung (Berlin People's Paper), which focused on nonpartisan, democratic, and antiwar themes. His contributions to the political weekly Tagebuch (Journal) highlighted the wisdom of the masses after his brief political experiment. As editor—and later chief editor—of Die Weltbühne (The World Stage, from 1927 onward), he took a strong stance, publishing articles that questioned military operations and advocated for peace. By then, he was a confirmed pacifist. His Nobel Peace Prize in 1935 is a testament to his enduring pacifist values. Ossietzky died in May 1938. His biography can be read here. 

What is particularly interesting is how the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg has evolved over the past fifty years toward a focus on ecology. When the university was founded in 1973, it was the students who proposed naming it after Ossietzky. As a reform-oriented institution, his name reflects a commitment to social responsibility and the integration of science into society. Through project-based learning and a sense of responsibility for societal development, the university has increasingly focused on environmental research. With a broader vision of environmental justice, the university has, since its inception, engaged in the peacebuilding process between humans and nature. In this pursuit, it is natural to expect that UOL will produce a dedicated Ossietzkian community capable of taking the world stage as peacemakers amid planetary crises and interlinked conflicts. UOL is a thriving experimental space for building conscience between humanity and nature. Proudly Ossietzkian and a UOL-ite! #IamWadden!

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Dr. Mansee Bal Bhargava is an entrepreneur, researcher, educator, speaker, and mentor. She is in constant pursuit of conscience in science and believes in peace and ecology