Proiect NS: Program PATRIR pe non-violenta

April 21, 2004

Program PATRIR pe non-violenta

De la Gandhi la Miscari Sociale si Politice Moderne:
Pregatirea Practica pentru Actiuni Nonviolente

Un program international pe o durata de cinci zile organizat de

Institutul Roman pentru Pace (PATRIR)

in colaborare cu TRANSCEND si Nonviolent Peaceforce

5 - 9 mai, 2004

Cluj-Napoca

www.transcend.org

--informatii complete, in engleza:

>From Gandhi to Modern Social and Political Movements:

Preparing for Nonviolent Actions in Practice

A five-days international training programme organised by the

Romanian Peace Institute (PATRIR)

in cooperation with TRANSCEND and Nonviolent Peaceforce

May 5 - 9, 2004

Cluj-Napoca, Romania

www.transcend.org

An Invitation to social justice movements, human rights workers, peace activists, and committed citizens from across Europe and the world!

In the aftermath of Madrid, September 11th, the war on Afghanistan, the war on Iraq, and the wars of terrorism, non-violent transformations in Georgia and Bolivia, and people's struggles for social justice, democracy, and human rights in their communities and world-wide, From Gandhi to Modern Social and Political Movements: Preparing for Nonviolent Actions in Practice comes at a vital time.

Drawing upon the inspiration and lessons learned from people's movements and struggles around the world over the past 50 years - from People's Power movement in the Philippines to the non-violent revolutions in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union and the overthrow of political apartheid in South Africa to the Living Democracy Movement in India, the Assembly of the Poor in Thailand, the Landless Movement in Brazil, and the World Social Forum - Preparing for Nonviolent Actions in Practice will bring together social justice and human rights activists, social workers and organisers, and peace organisations and movements from across Europe and internationally.

Aimed at creating a space for sharing of experiences and developing skills and methods for practice, at learning from the legacy of non-violent political and social movements from all continents, and at weaving together a European-wide network of committed social activists and non-violent practitioners, the programme will be an important step in the work to create a global Nonviolent Peaceforce and to prepare for the third European Social Forum in London in 2004! For everyone interesting in seeing how we - as individuals, as communities, as organisations, and together - can actively engage to develop constructive programmes to overcome violence and injustice in our communities and globally Preparing for Nonviolent Actions in Practice is a chance to show . another world is possible!

Across the world, communities are mobilising to address the issues and challenges facing them, searching for ways to overcome violence in all its forms - direct, structural and cultural. From social justice movements to struggles against political, economic, and military authoritarianism, people's power - the power of communities to resist violence and to actively unite together, celebrating diversity, hope, and courage - is growing. Networks, linking people within and across communities world-wide, are being formed, linking theory and practice, action and reflection, and a commitment to be the change we want to see!

Preparing for Nonviolent Actions in Practice will address the concrete challenges and issues surrounding direct non-violent action, drawing upon experiences and practice in non-violence from around the world.

The programme will be devoted to preparing for non-violent direct actions in the concrete context/setting of your work and community, and will help to weave together a network of practitioners across the continent. Focus on how to build a good group atmosphere, make decisions, avoiding violence in stressed situations, communication skills, preparing for actions, evaluations, reducing fear, building trust, and making good strategies will be central to the programme.

Throughout the 20th century non-violence was used as an effective tool for overthrowing violent, dictatorial and colonial regimes. The focus of this training programme will be on the large scale use of non-violent means to transform and overcome direct and structural violence in conflicts. Drawing upon case-studies and experiences from around the world, From Gandhi to Modern Social and Political Movements will help practitioners and scholars to weave together a cohesive view and understanding of the legacy and contributions of non-violent struggles in the 20th, and 21st centuries, and to prepare for non-violence and conflict transformation by peaceful means in their own communities, across Europe and internationally.

Throughout, the five-days workshop and training will be an intensive, participatory and dynamic experience, helping to develop further concrete skills, tools and knowledge for committed social activists, community workers, and practitioners.

Content of the Programme:

Wednesday, May 5th

Morning:

Understanding those who have struggled.. The stories of the main activists in the history of nonviolent struggle, what are the heritages and how are those implemented in modern movements.

Afternoon:

The basic concepts of Nonviolence and their meaning in our conflicts. Clarification on the two main approaches to the use of NV: NV as a Technique and NV as a Lifestyle. Discussion on what does a Lifestyle imply and can it be learned at schools/courses?

Thursday, May 6th:

Morning:

The last twenty-five years of revolutionary movements: an overview of the cases.

The Secret stories about the Nonarmed revolutions. The role of media in covering Nonviolent Actions and events.

Afternoon:

What is done by who to promote nonviolence around the world?

Friday, May 7th

Morning:

Different categories of NV actions - Civil Disobedience, Boycotts, Demonstrations, Direct Action, Non-cooperation and much more

What are the main obstacles for each of us / What prevents us from using NV actions more than we already do?

Afternoon:

The Gandhian Concept of Constructive Work - How it differs from non-cooperation and in what contexts it has been used.

Saturday, May 8th

Morning:

On the difficult balance between "being included" and "being excluded" from the Power Structure

Afternoon:

Strategic Planning of a Campaign - The need to combine long term planning with short term tactical considerations.

Sunday, May 9th

Morning:

In plenary we make a list of all the important ingredients of a good political campaign. Discussions of how such a list should be adapted to different cultural, social, religious and political contexts.

Development of new NV tools for activists. The use of Humour in Political actions.

Afternoon:

Globalisation from Below

What are the possibilities for building a strong nonviolent movement aiming at "Globalisation from Below"?

Who should apply?:

Committed and experienced workers and activists for social justice, human rights, peace, gender equality, environment and ecology. Members of community and social organisations. Members of social forum organisations and initiatives, grassroots people's movements, solidarity struggles, and peace momvements, and anyone who would like to investigate the potential of Nonviolence in practice, or want to further develop her/his skills in this field.

Cost of participation:

For EU, North American and South-East Asian/Australian participants: 250 Euros

For all others: 175

Participation costs include accommodation, breakfast and lunch as well as all course fees. Participants will stay at the Hotel Napoca. Assistance for travel and arrival in Romania will be provided by the Romanian Peace Institute. For any questions, or to receive further information, please do not hesitate to contact the programme coordinator, Alex Moldovan at Alex at patrir.ro

Deadline for Applications:

For those who require visas: April 9

For those who do not require visas: April 26

For more information, to register as a participant, or for details regarding travel and administration, please contact:

Alex Moldovan, Training Coordinator: alex at patrir.ro

For on-line applications please visit: www.transcend.org

About the Trainer:

JORGEN JOHANSEN is a member of TRANSCEND - A peace and development organisation for conflict transformation by peaceful means. Since 2001 he has been a Course Director on Nonviolence as Political Tool and Philosophy at TRANSCEND Peace University (TPU). He is a Board member of the Norwegian Peace Council, and the Norwegian Peace Center. In 1998 he was an election observer at the referendum on NATO-membership in Hungary, and, in 1996 took part in a fact-finding tour of Chechnya. Since 1995 he has been a teacher of courses in Conflict Resolution, Peace Work and Meditation at Goteborg University, and, since 1992 a Board member of Institut für Friedensarbeit und Gewaltfreie Konfliktaustragung . From 1991 - 1998 he was the Chairperson of War Resisters' International, where he had previously been the Norwegian representative in WRI Council. Jorgen Johansen has been active in peacework and non-violence for many decades, and has been involved in working with and supporting people's non-violent struggles in many parts of the world. Since 1975 he has been an invited participant to more than fifty international conferences, and has written and extensively published, both in books and movement magazines.

About the Organisers

TRANSCEND - A Peace and Development Network for Conflict Transformation by Peaceful Means

TRANSCEND is a network of more than 200 of the world's leading practitioners and scholars in peacebuilding and development from over 60 countries around the world. Committed to the promotion of peace by peaceful means, TRANSCEND has 20 active programmes, and conducts its work through action, education/training, dissemination and research. With centres in Barcelona (Spain), Cluj-Napoca (Romania), Geneva (Switzerland), Hagen (Germany), Honolulu (USA), Kyoto (Japan), Moscow (Russia), Sandnes (Norway), Taplow Court (Great Britain), Torino (Italy), Vienna (Austria), and Washington, DC (USA) - with several others now being formed in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia - TRANSCEND has provided more than 400 training programmes for over 8000 participants in 43 countries around the world. Participants in TRANSCEND training programmes have included politicians, diplomats, aid and development workers, teachers, psychologists, social workers, journalists, civil service employees, UN staff, professors, students, and others. In 2000, TRANSCEND developed the United Nations' first ever manual on "Conflict Transformation by Peaceful Means: The TRANSCEND Approach." In February, 2003, TRANSCEND launched the world's first ever truly global Peace University on-line: the TRANSCEND Peace University (www.transcend.org/tpu). TRANSCEND is involved in peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and post-war reconciliation and healing in several conflict areas world-wide, at the invitation of local groups, organisations, universities, governments, and parties to the conflict. TRANSCEND only works in conflict/war affected areas when it has been invited. Currently, TRANSCEND is doing research on: Peacebuilding and Empowerment; Non-Territorial Federalism and Functional Independence; Self-Determination and the Nation/State Dialectic; Peacebuilding and Globalisation; Conflict Transformation and Psychological Assumptions; Comparing Methods of Conflict Transformation from Micro, Meso and Macro-Levels; the Dialogue Process; Local and Subsistence Economics; Models for Global Economic Crises; Understanding Genocide. TRANSCEND has recently launched the new TRANSCEND Media Service, and is in the process of developing the Conflict Transformation Index (CTI) and TRANSCEND Early Warning Index (EWI). TRANSCEND perspectives are freely available on the Internet (www.transcend.org), and a TRANSCEND monthly Bulletin is being prepared for distribution in 12 languages.

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP)

Across the world, violence is preventing peace, development and stability, and destroying people's lives, leading to increases in war, terrorism and devastation. Today, governments internationally see primarily two choices. Stand back and watch the violence escalate, or send in military forces and escalate the violence through war. Nonviolent Peaceforce is creating a third possibility, one that can contribute to bringing real and sustained peace to a region and developing effective ways to transcend violence and transform conflicts constructively. Nonviolent peaceforce is building a team of 2000 trained civilians who can work in violent conflict zones, using proven nonviolent methods and strategies to reduce local level violence, build trust and increase respect for human rights. This civilian peacekeeping force works by training and sending international staff to work in violent conflict zones where they accompany local peace activists and human rights defenders, provide protective presence to threatened communities, monitor the movements of armed movements in rural villages, and where they are the eyes and ears of the international community. Nonviolent Peaceforce is an alternative to war and violence. It is a force with the means, the method, and the vision, to work for the practical promotion of peace by peaceful means.

PATRIR - The Peace Action, Training and Research Institute of Romania

Founded on March 1st, 2001, the PATRIR, is an institute, organisation, training centre and network, linking together scholars, grassroots activists, and peace researchers throughout Romania, South-Eastern Europe and internationally. Its aim is to address the core challenges facing Romania and the countries of South and Eastern Europe, to strengthen and empower grassroots organisations and citizens' action, to mobilise people for active peace work and peaceful conflict transformation, and to address the structural causes of poverty, human rights violations and economic and social injustice. PATRIR is an institute and an organisation for research, training and active peace work. PATRIR organises training programmes in peacebuilding and peaceful conflict transformation; peace journalism; democracy and human rights; multi-culturalism; empowering civil society; gender and peace; people-centred, sustainable development; post-war reconstruction, rehabilitation, reconciliation and healing; and, environment and ecology. Participants to PATRIR training programmes frequently include senior politicians and diplomats, experienced aid and development workers, UN and NGO staff, civil society activists, professors, teachers, students, journalists, artists, and psychologists from Romania and more than 30 countries internationally. PATRIR cooperates with TRANSCEND as the TRANSCEND Centre for South-Eastern Europe. Since 2001, PATRIR has been one of TRANSCEND's leading international training sites.