“Origins and Evolution of the Peace Movement in Catalonia (1950-1980),” by Xavier Garí

Orígens i evolució del moviment per la pau a Catalunya (1950-1980) is a book based on Xavier Garí’s doctoral thesis , which explores the origins and entrenchment of the peace movement in Catalonia during the period between 1950 and 1980. The author provides an extensive description of the Catalan branch of Pax Christi International and the Barcelona group Amics de l’Arca (Friends of the Ark), pioneers of the movement and responsible for introducing the doctrine of peace and nonviolence in a society ruled by a military and repressive culture. He also elaborates on other important initiatives in the consolidation of the movement such as Justícia i Pau, the Víctor Seix Polemology Institute and the Conscientious Objectors campaign.
“Xavier Garí de Barbarà’s book is the most important contribution to the knowledge of the origins of Catalan pacifism of Christian roots that has been made to date.”– José Luis Gordillo (prologue).
The author
Xavier Garí de Barbarà (Barcelona, 1974) holds a doctorate in Contemporary History and is a professor in the Faculty of Humanities at the International University of Catalonia. He is the founder of the Center for Nonviolence Studies of Catalonia and the director of the School of Peace and Conflict at Menéndez Pelayo International University in Barcelona. His fields of research are the history of peace, the theory and strategy of nonviolence, and conflict management.