Gandhi & King Season for Nonviolence Programs & Activities

Examples of Activities during  SNV 2001

Resources are available for you to create similar programs

Community Activities

• Obtain endorsement of City and/or State officials to proclaim January 30 – April 4, 2002 as A Season for Nonviolence.

• Contact Radio Stations to air Public Service Announcements to run daily throughout the Season “ 64 Ways and Days to Practice Nonviolence”.  Seek support from local Radio Celebrity to endorse A Season for Nonviolence.

• Peace Table - Community Potluck honoring individuals working for peace in daily life living nonviolent choices and action.

• Plant a Peace Tree in community park , community center, school or business environment as part of meditation garden.

• Peace Run / Walk to commemorate those who choose nonviolent action as the pathway to peace.  End with closing activities, e.g. meditation, sharing visions for peace, songs, ceremony, prayers for peace, musical concert.

Youth Projects

• Two day youth summit to introduce teens to Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence as the avenue to identify and change their own violent thoughts, beliefs, behaviors and actions.  Celebrity speakers, experiential workshops and crisis providers with exhibit booths on teen violence issues.

• Elementary school program conducted by teacher, to provide focus for children to become aware of consequences of their moment to moment choices, highlighting attributes of friendship, compassion, generosity and  responsibility.  Using 64 Ways to Practice Nonviolence Poster, encourages a step by step path for nonviolent action.

• Collaboration with youth organization such as Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, Girl Scouts, to create a Children’s Art Festival or Project Peace Cloth to be made on site during the Season and presented for display at City Hall or community center at the end of Season.

Church Activities

• Invitation to different religious leaders to speak on philosophies of spiritual values and human rights.  Opportunity to dialogue for peace.   Observation Day for the Interfaith Call for Universal Religious Freedom and Human Rights.

• Creation of Peace Altar with SNV information and candles for prayer and meditation.

• Honor a Peace Hero from the community who exemplifies nonviolence in action.

• Candlelight Prayer Vigil.   Call for peace among all people with world peace readings and candlelighting ceremony to show intention to practice nonviolent action in daily life.

Education

• Offer workshops on Nonviolent Communication Training by inviting Trainer to facilitate groups or organizations.  Bring in speakers on nonviolent, Arun Gandhi, Martin Luther King. Jr. associates.

• Sponsor ForgivenessWorks Programs with Dr. Gerald Jampolsky and Diane Cirincione, by creating community projects such as Forgiveness Gardens or park, creating a forgiveness weekend for the community, contribute to Forgiveness Story Collection. RESOURCES ARE AVIALABLE.