Nonviolence on the Beach, Training Trainers in NVC, School Outreach and More in The Gambia
Nonviolence is most impactful as a tool of people-power. During Campaign Nonviolence Action Days 2023, we are seeing how powerful it can be with 5,050+ actions across the country and around the world. Many international groups are drawn to the two bookend events—the International Day of Peace on September 21 and the International Day of Nonviolence on October 2. The organizers in this report are making the most of the opportunity with a series of events that get people involved in person and online.
Amadou Jallow of Nonviolence Advocates Association in The Gambia shares: “There are four main activities for the celebration of the International Peace Day of September 21st and International Day of Nonviolence of October 2nd.
Activity 1. Nonviolence Beach Session: It is open to everyone, and mainly targeting youth leaders and volunteers to come together and remind ourselves of the role of youth, leaders and volunteers in peace building through Nonviolence. The event shall be held at the Sandy Beaches of the Coastal area, and engagements in the form of statements, performances and games. Already an online and offline Mobilization is in progress, and over 200 people have joined the WhatsApp group, while over 120 people have listed their names as interested in going to the event at the Beach on September 21st to celebrate the International Peace Day under the Theme - Actions For Peace, Our Ambition For The Global Goals.
Activity 2. Nonviolence Online Session: This is to get people, especially those interested in Nonviolence Advocacy to engage with International Trainers and Global Change Makers on the Occasion of the International Day of Nonviolence of October 2nd. This event is proposed to be online on the first week of October, and scheduled for October 7th based on the agreement of the International Trainers. This shall expose the people to global efforts and realities around Nonviolence and it's related issues, while also inspiring action for social change at the local level.
Activity 3. Nonviolence Communication Training of Trainers: This event is to be conducted from September 16th - October 1st (2 days a week, 1 hour per day) for identified Nonviolence Advocates within the country to be trained by an International Organisation working for the promotion of Nonviolence Communication. The training is conducted online, and a WhatsApp group is also created to enhance interaction within trainees and also with the trainers. The trainees will after the training conduct step down trainings through schools and institutions to spread the teachings of Nonviolence Communication.
Activity 4. Nonviolence School Outreach: It is to engage children as significant members of society in understanding Nonviolence, so as to grow up believing that Nonviolence is the most effective method of problem solving. This event will be held in a School for young students in the form of a dialogue with identified Nonviolence Advocates. The International Day of Nonviolence of October 2nd is scheduled for the day, hoping that the students shall grow up remembering every October 2nd for the promotion of Nonviolence in schools and communities where the students come from.
Activity 5. Peace and Nonviolence Online Campaign: The collection of Peace & Nonviolence Messages from various people to be put on flyers for publicity on Social Media platforms to amplify voices for the promotion of Peace through Nonviolence. The messages shall be received and reviewed, and then be published with theHow do you see your action(s) impacting the broader effort to build a culture of nonviolence?Through the Nonviolence Beach Session Youth and Youth Leaders shall be inspired to act for peace through Nonviolence, and either consciously or unconsciously transfer such behaviours to others around them (home, school, work place, community etc.).
Through the Nonviolence Communication Training of Trainers, a triple effect shall be realised through the step down trainings of the trained to be trainers.
Through the Nonviolence School Outreach, young students and children shall be inspired and influenced to nurture the culture of peace through the utilization of Nonviolence means to problem solving both at school and home.
Through the Nonviolence Online Session, a wider range of individuals shall be connected and made aware of the various Nonviolence actions by various individuals and institutions around the world. Thus, inspiring more action from many people of various places.”
To follow along or get involved with the Nonviolence Advocates Association, see their Facebook page.
To see more from the 2023 Campaign Nonviolence Action Days, read stories here and see all 5,000+ actions here.