What YOU can Do To Build a Decade for a culture of peace & nonviolence
We call all the world's citizens, students, parents, teachers, media,
performing artists, educational institutions, religious institutions and
communities, nongovernmental organizations, UN bodies, and governments to
commit themselves to learning about nonviolence. Here are just a few
things that YOU can do.
AS A WORLD CITIZEN....commit yourself to reading works by nonviolence
practicioners such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Dorothy Day,
Cesar Chavez, or Muriel Lester....Form a coalition of local leaders from
the police department, schools, local businesses, religious institutions,
and other special interst groups to learn about nonviolence theories and
practice through workshops, programs, forums, nonviolence trainings,
speakers, peace concerts, and special events...imagine what the world would
look like with fewer weapons and more skilled practitioners of
nonviolence.
AS A STUDENT...Research and do a presentation in your class about a
specific case of nonviolence in recent history such as the 1980's People
Power revolution in the Philipines, the Lavalas movement in Haiti, or the
student protests in China's Tiananmen Square....help to start a peace
studies program on your campus....request that your teachers teach conflict
resolution, and nonviolence principles and history.
AS A PARENT....learn constructive ways to deal with anger and pass this on
to your kids..make a family pledge that each one of you accepts conflict
exists, and can even be positive if we learn to express our feelings and
resolve the conflict creatively and nonviolently.
AS A TEACHER... meet with the members of your school board to ask for a
commitment to require all teachers (at all levels) to teach a course, a
unit, a book on nonviolence. Be prepared to offer suggestions for
materials, including nonviolence training manuals.
AS AN ARTIST...dare to tackle issues such as racism, homophobia, classism,
violence, justice, and peace in your work...artists have been a continuing
revolutionary force in societies....plan concerts, art exhibitions, and
theatrical events on subjects relating to the culture of nonviolence.
AS A SCHOOL...organize a Day/Week/Month of Nonviolence to learn about
alternatives to violence, to address recent violent events in the
community, to brainstorm nonviolent solutions, and to celebrate positive
efforts that have been made...organize a panel of speakers on Social
Justice issues such as militarism, racism, hate crimes, economic justice,
youth empowerment, women's rights, and indigenous people's rights.
AS A CONGREGATION....set up advocacy tables in churches, synagogues, and
mosques to disseminate information about nonviolence and the Decade; start
a study circle in your congregation to explore nonviolence, racism, youth
empowerment, the growing economic disparity, or homophobia; sponsor
interfaith gatherings so congregations of differing faiths can learn about
eachother; sponsor conflict resolution trainings for the community; be an
active voice against injustices in your community; join a Religious Peace
Fellowship; explore the spiritual dimensions of nonviolence in your
tradition; pray for greater human understanding of nonviolent resolution to
conflict.
AS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT....meet with the town council to organize a town
meeting to discuss problems relating to violence in schools and
neighborhoods, and possible nonviolent solutions. Be sure to include
individuals who represent the diversity of your community in planning,
implementing, participating, and evaluating the event.
Be creative. Dare to address difficult issues such as violence, racism,
and poverty. Speak truth to power. Think of ideas that will awaken the
imagination of your community.
