Remembrance is not just about the past: Reflections on Alternative Remembrance Sunday 2026

On Sunday 8 November, peace campaigners and supporters gathered in London's Tavistock Square for the annual National Alternative Remembrance Ceremony, organised by the Peace Pledge Union (PPU).

Held beside the memorial stone dedicated to conscientious objectors, the ceremony offered an opportunity to remember all victims of war, challenge militarism and reaffirm a shared commitment to peace.

At a time when conflicts continue to devastate communities across the world, the message was particularly timely: remembrance must be about more than honouring the past. It must also inspire us to build a more peaceful future.

Remembering the human cost of war

Opening the ceremony, comedian and peace activist Kate Smurthwaite reminded those gathered that remembrance cannot be separated from the conflicts happening around us today.

"War is not something that conveniently finished last century," she observed, challenging the tendency to treat remembrance as something purely concerned with the two world wars.

Instead, she emphasised the importance of confronting the violence of today's world, questioning militarism, and speaking out for peace.

Writer and broadcaster Phineas Harper offered a deeply personal reflection on the lasting consequences of conflict. Recalling their grandfather, who survived the Second World War but never fully recovered from his experiences, Phineas explored how the trauma of war can be passed down through generations.

Their speech was also a powerful reminder that advocating for peace requires courage, particularly in the face of political pressure and fear.

"Peace is for the courageous," they declared. "It takes conviction. It takes work. It takes faith."

Meanwhile, the importance of recognising the individuals behind the statistics of war was central to the contribution from Tom Donnelly of Every Casualty Counts.

Sharing the stories of people killed in conflicts across Iran, Sudan, Palestine, Israel and Myanmar, Tom illustrated the many ways that war destroys lives, whether through direct violence, displacement or the breakdown of essential services.

He also discussed Every Casualty Counts' Memorial 2026 project, which documents the lives of people killed in armed conflict, ensuring that their identities and experiences are not forgotten.

"Documenting the dead cannot bring them back to life, but it can return their dignity," he explained.

Perhaps the most poignant contribution came from Afghan-British journalist Nelufar Hedayat, who spoke about her childhood in war-torn Afghanistan.

Born in Kabul during a brutal civil war, Nelufar recalled her earliest memories of being held in her mother's arms, trembling at the sound of artillery fire. She reflected on the psychological scars of growing up surrounded by violence, and the childhood experiences and opportunities denied to millions of children affected by war.

Her speech was a deeply moving reminder that the consequences of conflict cannot be measured simply in casualties or physical destruction. War can shape entire lives, leaving wounds that remain long after the fighting ends.

"For me, the opposite of war isn't just peace. It is connection," she told those gathered, emphasising the importance of solidarity and recognising our shared humanity.

Remembrance as a commitment to peace

The ceremony concluded with two minutes of silence, followed by the laying of white poppy wreaths at the conscientious objectors' memorial.

The white poppy represents remembrance for all victims of war, both civilian and military, alongside a commitment to peace and a rejection of militarism.

For Conscience: Taxes for Peace Not War, these principles resonate strongly with our own campaigning.

We believe that honouring those who have suffered and died in conflict must also mean questioning the decisions that continue to bring about war, including how public money is spent.

At a time of increasing military spending, we continue to advocate for greater investment in peacebuilding and for the legal recognition of the right to conscientious objection to military taxation.

The reflections shared at Tavistock Square were a reminder that peace is neither passive nor inevitable. It requires courage, compassion, solidarity, and a willingness to challenge the assumption that military solutions are the only way to address conflict.

As Phineas Harper movingly observed, there can be no greater tribute to those who have suffered and died in wars than working to end war in the present.

Remembrance matters. But so too does what we choose to do with it.