The CNAPD archives (Comité national d'action pour la paix et la démocratie)

The archives of the CNAPD (Coordination nationale d’action pour la paix et la démocratie – National action coordination for peace and democracy) prove very important in the study of pacifist (especially anti-missile movements) and third-world movements of the 70s and 80s and allow for an understanding of the interactions that existed between the various actors of these movements.

This fund was reclassified and various series emerge: the CNAPD publications (periodicals, files); collection of periodicals on the themes of pacifism, development, liberties and related issues; documentation files; correspondence; meeting minutes and communications; files linked to the actions carried out by the CNAPD (campaigns, manifestations and ties with member associations); and accounting. The documents cover the period from 1970-1996 although the 80s is the best-represented period while the period 1971-1975 remains incomplete.

Initially called Comité national d’action pour la paix et le développement, the CNAPD was created in Brussels on 19 September 1070. Jean Van Lierde, René Marchandise and Jean Dubosh are responsible for the structure and development of the association, the objective of which was to gather youth organisation, development cooperation associations and pacifist movements around the issues of peace, third world development and the fight for democracy. The CNAPD fought for conscientious objections, the creation of a denuclearised area in Europe, democratic liberties, the development of people (especially in the third world), environmental protection, against racism and xenophobia and against the domination of the industrialised world. The organisation stood out through anti-missile campaigns and marches in the 80s (up to 300 000 people in 1983) to oppose the implementation of NATO missiles in Europe. After the fall of the Berlin wall, which marks the end of West-East blocks war, the CNAPD will focus its campaigns on human right issues and social issues such as youth unemployment and exclusion.

The inventory of these archives may be consulted via our online catalogue.