Witnessing the Power of Conscience

Maria Santelli’s TEDx Talk, Binghamton University

Maria Santelli is executive director of the Center on Conscience & War (CCW). Founded in 1940, CCW has worked for 75 years to extend and defend the rights of conscientious objectors to war. It was during her time at the Center for Peace and Justice, at the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, that Santelli began providing counseling, support and advocacy for members of the military and their families.

Embedded in the roots of injustice is a misguided belief that humanity is predisposed to violence and war. On the contrary, there is abundant evidence that humanity is naturally predisposed to peace; conscience tells us that cooperation with others is right and that violence against others is wrong.