From Gandhi to Modern Social and Political Movements: Preparing for Nonviolent Actions in Practice

In May 2005, myself and Tom Keene cycled across the Carpathian Mountains in Romania to attend a 5-day training course “From Gandhi to Modern Social and Political Movements: Preparing for Nonviolent Actions in Practice” hosted by trainer, Jorgen Johansen.

Drawing inspiration from people’s movements and struggles around the world over the past 50 years, such as the People’s Power movement in the Philippines, the non-violent revolutions in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, the overthrow of political apartheid in South Africa, the Living Democracy Movement in India, the Assembly of the Poor in Thailand, the Landless Movement in Brazil, and the World Social Forum, this event brought together social justice and human rights activists, social workers, organisers, and peace organisations from across Europe and internationally.

The event aimed to create a space for sharing experiences, developing skills and methods for practice, learning from the legacy of non-violent political and social movements from all continents, and weaving together a European-wide network of committed social activists and non-violent practitioners. This program is an important step in the work to create a global Nonviolent Peaceforce.

Location: Cluj-Napoca Romania.

www.transcend.org TRANSCEND-Network for Peace and Development
www.patrir.ro PATRIR-Peace Action, Training and Research Institute of Romania
www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org Nonviolent Peace Force