Announcing : Nonviolent Interfaith Leadership program 2015

Poster_v320 Diverse People.

5 Enriching Days.

November 2015.

Life. Changing.

www.nonviolentinterfaithleadership.org

14 – 19 November 2015

There are many inspiring  people actively involved in community organisations and faith communities across Australia, who are working tirelessly to address our current social, political, military, economic and ecological challenges.  This program is designed to cultivate and build capacity in these  leaders to sustain change, go deeper and to bring people together.  This program was developed two years ago and is again open next year as a 5-day residential retreat for 20 people.  It is an outstanding program, one not to be missed and will greatly benefit both the participants and their organisations or faith communities from which they belong.

Participants will GAIN :

  • A deeper commitment to living and working from an interfaith perspective;
  • Knowledge, skills and awareness of nonviolence
  • Leadership skills to help their local communities take action
  • The necessary skills to sustain their nonviolent community leadership
  • New friends and new networks of support and encouragement

Apply Now

“The PeBA non-violent leadership program is a powerful example of what is possible when religious traditions share their tools for peace. They have clearly succeeded in creating a powerful space for transformation…I have no hesitation offering my endorsement of this program.”

Ven. Freeman Trebilcock, Founder & Chairperson, InterAction

What Past Participants Have SAID :

“…It’s a unique opportunity to critique dominant patterns of violence and control and learn the first steps for imagining nonviolent alternatives.  I don’t know of anyone else offering a similar program.”

*

“The peace building skills I made doing this course will equip me for the rest of my life to help transform myself and the world into a better place”

*

“This event was with all honesty life changing for me

*

“I would definitely recommend this program to others…I believe I can make a real difference now”

*

“I feel more empowered to understand people from other faiths as well as excited to learn about nonviolence, love for self and others and love for God from their traditions.  The greatest outcome has been the friendships developed with people from other faiths here.”

*

“This course is highly effective and empowering. I feel significantly more like a leader in nonviolence and believe that all of us are capable and likely to significantly change how our worlds interact and mainstream nonviolence. I think every young (and not so young) everyone who is still interested in learning about themselves with a passion to improve their world should do this program”

 

NVDA Training: Putting Nonviolent Love in Action (Morisset)

Want to know more about Christian nonviolent action in the tradition of Martin Luther King Jr?

Saturday 14 June
9:30am – 5:00pm
Morisset Uniting Church
10 Stockton Street, Morisset NSW (Google map)

We are working with the Love Makes A Way crew and the Paddington Uniting Church Social Change Project to offer this introductory workshop that will explore the theology, spirituality and practice of creative nonviolence for personal and social transformation.

Learn – and share your wisdom and experience – about the nonviolent example of Jesus and King, and how we can put nonviolent love into practice in our own lives and in our advocacy for the poor, the stranger and the planet.

Learn about the #LoveMakesAWay campaign for compassionate treatment of asylum seekers.

This workshop will  cover why people take nonviolent action, its power as an effective means of social change but also as a way of life, explore our fears about taking action, explain what happens if you get arrested for civil disobedience (which is a subset of NVDA), showcase stories of ordinary faithful people acting powerfully against war and climate change, and give you a few chances to role play taking action yourselves.

Book_Now_Button_Blue

 

 

 

Facilitators:

Justin Whelan is the Mission Development Manager at Paddington Uniting Church, a role that involves lay ministry, community development and community organising that empowers people to be the ‘change they want to see in the world’. Justin was one of the proponents of the Uniting Church in NSW & ACT’s resolution to divest from fossil fuels in April 2013. In his spare time he researches social movements with a particular interest in strategic nonviolent struggle. A lifelong activist whose first protest event was in the womb, Justin has participated in numerous nonviolent direct actions in support of peace, human rights and the environment, and has been arrested for nonviolent civil disobedience three times, most recently during a prayer vigil sit-in at the electoral office of Immigration Minister Scott Morrison as part of the Love Makes a Way campaign. 

Matt Anslow is a member of Hope Uniting Church, a PhD student researching Matthew’s Gospel, and a prominent young Christian leader. He has been involved in a number of nonviolent actions in recent years, including the Swan Island Peace Convergence and the Love Makes a Way sit-ins at Scott Morrison’s and Tony Abbott’s offices.

Nonviolent Direct Action Skills Workshop (Sutherland)

Saturday 31 May 2014

9:30am – 4:30pm

Sutherland Multi-Purpose Centre
123 Flora St
Sutherland (5 mins from Sutherland Train Station)
(view on map)

 Cost: $40/20 (conc)

Book_Now_Button_Blue

 

 

 

Description:

Many of us have experiences of activism that left us alienated, disheartened and angry. We want to make a difference to the world but we’re not sure how. In this workshop, we explore nonviolent direct action as both a moral and powerful means of social change, using a variety of resources, stories and role-plays. We will consider the symbolic and strategic role of nonviolent direct action, talk about fears and consequences, consider the place of nonviolent action in larger campaigns, look at the different roles people play in actions and explain the process of ‘getting arrested’ in a nonviolent civil disobedience action so people understand what that involves. We will run a nonviolent direct action role-play to give people a chance to try it all out, and finish with a chance to discuss and plan possible actions based on participants’ interests.

The emphasis in this workshop is on action skills development and ‘getting ready’ to take action, rather than the philosophy, spirituality and history of nonviolence.

Facilitator:

Justin Whelan is the Mission Development Manager at Paddington Uniting Church, a role that involves lay ministry, community development and community organising that empowers people to be the ‘change they want to see in the world’. In his spare time he researches social movements with a particular interest in strategic nonviolent struggle. A lifelong activist whose first protest event was in the womb, Justin’s advocacy credits include winning amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Bill 2005 and swearing at his Year 11 maths teacher for failing to listen to a student’s pleas for remarking an exam. Justin has participated in numerous nonviolent direct actions in support of peace, human rights and the environment, and has been arrested for civil disobedience twice. Justin was one of the proponents of the Uniting Church in NSW-ACT’s resolution to divest from fossil fuels in April 2013.

Special Guest:

Bill Ryan, 92 year old WW2 veteran and front line ‘protector’ at Maules Creek (video)

All enquiries: Contact Justin Whelan

Nonviolent Interfaith Leadership Program 2014

SEE HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION : www.nonviolentinterfaithleadership.org

20 Young People.

5 Days.

April 2014.

Life. Changing.

 

ROUND 2 APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW

We would love to hear from applicants by NO LATER THAN Friday 14th March 2014

6th – 11th April 2014

There are many inspiring young people actively involved in community organisations and faith communities across Australia, who are working tirelessly to address our current social, political, military, economic and ecological challenges.  This program is designed to cultivate and build capacity in these young leaders to sustain change, go deeper and to bring people together.  This program was developed two years ago and is again open next year as a 5-day residential retreat for 20 young people.  It is an outstanding program, one not to be missed and will greatly benefit both the participants and their organisations or faith communities from which they belong.

Participants will GAIN :

  • A deeper commitment to living and working from an interfaith perspective;
  • Knowledge, skills and awareness of nonviolence
  • Leadership skills to help their local communities take action
  • The necessary skills to sustain their nonviolent community leadership
  • New friends and new networks of support and encouragement
“The PeBA non-violent leadership program is a powerful example of what is possible when religious traditions share their tools for peace. They have clearly succeeded in creating a powerful space for transformation…I have no hesitation offering my endorsement of this program.”

Ven. Freeman Trebilcock, Founder & Chairperson, InterAction

 

 

What Past Participants Have SAID :

“…It’s a unique opportunity to critique dominant patterns of violence and control and learn the first steps for imagining nonviolent alternatives.  I don’t know of anyone else offering a similar program.”

*

“The peace building skills I made doing this course will equip me for the rest of my life to help transform myself and the world into a better place”

*

“This event was with all honesty life changing for me

*

“I would definitely recommend this program to others…I believe I can make a real difference now”

*

“I feel more empowered to understand people from other faiths as well as excited to learn about nonviolence, love for self and others and love for God from their traditions.  The greatest outcome has been the friendships developed with people from other faiths here.”

*

“This course is highly effective and empowering. I feel significantly more like a leader in nonviolence and believe that all of us are capable and likely to significantly change how our worlds interact and mainstream nonviolence. I think every young (and not so young) everyone who is still interested in learning about themselves with a passion to improve their world should do this program”

NILP Poster_v1 copy

 

SEE HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION : www.nonviolentinterfaithleadership.org

Nonviolent Direct Action Skills Workshop (Sydney) Feb 2014

Saturday 8 February 2014

9am – 5pm

Quaker Meeting House
119 Devonshire St
Surry Hills (5 mins from Central Station)
(view on map)

 Cost: $40/20 (conc)

Book_Now_Button_Blue

 

 

BYO lunch or buy from the local shops. Morning and afternoon tea provided.

Description:

Many of us have experiences of activism that left us alienated, disheartened and angry. We want to make a difference to the world but we’re not sure how. In this workshop, we explore nonviolent direct action as both a moral and powerful means of social change, using a variety of resources, stories and role-plays. We will consider the symbolic and strategic role of nonviolent direct action, talk about fears and consequences, consider the place of nonviolent action in larger campaigns, look at the different roles people play in actions and explain the process of ‘getting arrested’ in a nonviolent civil disobedience action so people understand what that involves. We will run a nonviolent direct action role-play to give people a chance to try it all out, and finish with a chance to discuss and plan possible actions based on participants’ interests.

The emphasis in this workshop is on action skills development and ‘getting ready’ to take action, rather than the philosophy, spirituality and history of nonviolence.

Facilitators:

Donna Mulhearn is an activist, writer and public speaker. Donna was a human shield during the war in Iraq and later returned as an aid worker and human rights activist. She is a journalist, former political adviser and Masters graduate of the University of Sydney Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies. She has spent time in the West Bank of Palestine with the International Solidarity Movement and recently returned from her fifth trip to Iraq where she researched the effects of toxic weapons such as depleted uranium on the civilian population, particularly babies in the city of Fallujah. Featured on ABC’s Australian Story program, her book, Ordinary Courage, a memoir about her experience as a human shield, was published in 2010 and will soon be available globally as an e-book. She coordinates the Australian Campaign to Ban Uranium Weapons and is currently working on a book about the 2004 attacks on Fallujah. Among a long list of nonviolent actions for peace and justice, Donna faced a lengthy trial and short prison time after breaking into Pine Gap US military base in 2005 in a “Citizen’s Inspection”, potentially facing up to ten years in prison.

Justin Whelan is the Mission Development Manager at Paddington Uniting Church, a role that involves lay ministry, community development and community organising that empowers people to be the ‘change they want to see in the world’. In his spare time he researches social movements with a particular interest in strategic nonviolent struggle. A lifelong activist whose first protest event was in the womb, Justin’s advocacy credits include winning amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Bill 2005 and swearing at his Year 11 maths teacher for failing to listen to a student’s pleas for remarking an exam. Justin has participated in numerous nonviolent direct actions in support of peace, human rights and the environment, and has been arrested for civil disobedience twice. Justin was one of the proponents of the Uniting Church in NSW-ACT’s resolution to divest from fossil fuels in April 2013.

All enquiries: Contact Justin Whelan

Christian Nonviolent Action Half-Day Workshop (Sydney)

We are currently testing interest in the following workshop to be run in Sydney early in 2014. Expressions of interest are invited through the form below.

Descriotion:

“Jesus gave us the message, Gandhi gave us the method”, said Martin Luther King Jr, who himself helped lead one of the most inspiring nonviolent campaigns for human liberation in the 20th Century. In this workshop, we explore Christian nonviolent action. Using a range of resources, videos and stories, we will consider nonviolent action as both a strategic form of struggle and a deeply faithful way of life.

Facilitators:

Donna Mulhearn is an activist, writer and public speaker. Donna was a human shield during the war in Iraq and later returned as an aid worker and human rights activist. She is a journalist, former political adviser and Masters graduate of the University of Sydney Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies. She has just returned from her fifth trip to Iraq where she researched the effects of toxic weapons on the civilian population, particularly babies in the city of Fallujah. Featured on ABC’sAustralian Story program, her book, Ordinary Courage, a memoir about her experience as a human shield, was published in 2010 and is now available globally as an e-book. She coordinates the Australian Campaign to Ban Uranium Weapons and is currently working on a book about the 2004 attacks on Fallujah.

Justin Whelan is the Mission Development Manager at Paddington Uniting Church, a role that involves lay ministry, community development and community organising that empowers people to be the ‘change they want to see in the world’. In his spare time he researches social movements with a particular interest in strategic nonviolent struggle. A lifelong activist whose first protest event was in the womb, Justin’s advocacy credits include winning amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Bill 2005 and swearing at his Year 11 maths teacher for failing to listen to a student’s pleas for remarking an exam. Justin was one of the proponents of the Uniting Church in NSW-ACT’s resolution to divest from fossil fuels in April 2013.

Register Your Interest:

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QLD Engage Course Beginning July

Engage: Exploring nonviolent livingEngage flyer_Final

What is Engage?
In a world marred by violence and injustice, Engage is a small-group program that introduces a vision and tools for nonviolent living. It uses stories, small group reflections, role-plays and exercises to explore the dynamics of violence, the possibilities for nonviolent living, and actions to effect personal and social change.

How long is the program?
Engage consists of 12, 2-hr sessions, plus an action to be chosen by the group. This group will run on Monday nights, 6:30-8:30pm between:

July 15 – September 16 (10 sessions)
Break (September 23 – October 7)
October 14 – 28 (3 sessions)

To get the most out of the program, we strongly encourage attendance at as many sessions as possible.

Sessions will be held in the Hall at West End Uniting Church, 11 Sussex St.

How much does it cost?
The program costs $50pp – this includes a resource workbook for you to keep, venue hire, and workshop materials.

Who will facilitate the program?
Engage is a resource offered by Pace e Bene Australia (www.paceebene.org.au). Pace e Bene is an international network of people committed to building a more just and peaceful world.  This program will be facilitated by four locals – Bek, Bronwyn, Neil and Penny – who have previously completed the Engage program, and are passionate about sharing the experience with others

Contact:
To register, or for more information, please email: peba.qld@gmail.com
or call Penny on 0403 721 601

(NSW) Nonviolent Peacemaking: in your community … in your world 2012

4, 11, 18 August 2012 (3 Saturdays)
Edmund Rice Centre
15 Henley Rd Homebush West – opp Flemington Station

A 3 day workshop in nonviolent peacemaking for beginners and experienced practitioners.

Come and learn about:

  • the principles power of active nonviolence in the tradition of Jesus, Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr;
  • connecting personal transformation and social change;
  • concrete skills for putting nonviolent power into practice.

Continue reading “(NSW) Nonviolent Peacemaking: in your community … in your world 2012”