The Swiss Peace Council SFR was founded in December 1945.

At the time, it was an umbrella organization for various Swiss organizations with a pacifist or foreign policy orientation, which campaigned for a political opening of Switzerland after the catastrophe of the Second World War and advocated both European unification and the country's accession to the new UN, but it soon worked on many peace policy issues of its own.

For decades, he fought for the introduction of civilian service for conscientious objectors, in the 1960s he fought against the nuclear armament of Switzerland propagated by army circles with the Easter marches, and in the 1970s against the Vietnam War. The Peace Council was also particularly involved in the first arms export ban initiative in 1972 and other arms trade issues. In the 1980s, the focus was on the fight against NATO medium-range missiles in Europe, but it also criticized Switzerland's overall defence ideology and total civil defence, and campaigned against the expansion of military bases (Rothenthurm and Neuchlen-Anschwilen).

The SFR was involved in peace policy initiatives such as the arms referendum, the redistribution initiative and the initiative for a civil peace service. However, the SFR understands peace policy far more broadly than just security and military policy. The SFR campaigns against racism and sexism, advocates fair treatment of the countries of the South and is committed to a social domestic policy and a foreign policy based on solidarity. It is involved in various human rights initiatives and peace rallies and is particularly committed to the collective security system and participation in the UN's peace efforts. In 2001, he launched the Swiss campaign against small arms.

In addition to the quarterly FRIEDENSZEITUNG , which is published in March, June, September and December, the Swiss Peace Council issues a number of other publications, such as the annual report on its activities in spring, the next year's peace calendar in fall or a brochure on a current topic as required. A list of currently available publications and the complete list of SFR publications in PDF format are available at info@friedensrat.ch 

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