A 4-Part NVC for Liberation workshop was delivered by Vérène Nicolas with input from Emma, Eddy, Menaka and Kevin in November 2022. This workshop is the second in the series of three intended workshops in the area of NVC for Liberation. The topic of the Series 2 Workshop was Restoring Togetherness within a Field of Separation. The intention of this offering is to watch each session on our own and then come together to work through any questions and the exercises. The facilitators of the watch and integrate party are Shar Molloy and Menaka Neotia with support from Neesha and Yanae. 

This workshop series would be of interest to you if, like us, you are deeply worried about what’s happening in the world? Perhaps you feel overwhelmed by how much needs to change, how little power it seems like we have and how challenging it is to work with others and find support around us? 

Here’s some good news: you can start where you are!

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is best known as a tool to engage with conflict and improve interpersonal relationships. It is not usually taught as a practice of liberation from the legacy of patriarchy, war, capitalism, racism etc.The second 4-part workshop, in part, was an effort to show that NVC can significantly empower efforts to overcome oppression if taught through a systems-lens. Like the first of the series in May (which focused on choice),  this workshop is an introduction to NVC anchored in a systemic frame.  Our focus was on restoring togetherness as we are aware how isolated many of us feel and/or how weary we have become to work with others due to the prevalence of conflict in grassroots projects or activist groups. This 'watch and integrate' workshop may be of interest to activists and an opportunity for NVC practitioners to deepen their understanding of the systemic and political implications of NVC. 

The Series two workshop focuses on: 

• Sharing NVC as a practice to restore togetherness and transform our default orientation towards individualism or “obedience-based” belonging. We boldly make the assumption that moving out of separation and into togetherness is an easily accessible step towards liberation. 

• A theoretical framework to understand our socialisation and explore in which ways we have internalised patterns of separation or obedience; 

• Tools to retrieve and cultivate our capacity to restore togetherness.

The November 2022 workshop was a continuation of our previous one which happened in May 2022. Integration of this new angle on the systemic aspect of NVC will happen during the workshop, as we will share exercices and get into practice/breakout rooms. You are requested to watch the recordings of the Series 2 (if you haven't already) so that you have a wider range and awareness about what the exercises are about. 

Because integrating these principles and practices goes so much against the grain of how we normally function, our experience is that ongoing practice in community enhances the potency of learning. For this purpose, we are offering this 'watch and integrate party' to support the practice of the exercises from the Series 2 workshop. This integration party is for those who attended Series 2 live and/or to those who are willing to watch the Series 2 recordings. The Series 2 Integration Party is offered on Gift economy.

What will we do with the information you share with us?

Google Group:

The email you register with will be added to the google group for this course. This serves multiple purposes: 

1. We use it to send you updates about the Watch and Integration Party

2. We use it to give you access to the shared folder which includes: course materials, recordings from Series 2, etc.  

3. We use it to enable communication between course participants

Recording: 

This watch and integration party sessions will be recorded and recordings will be made available to all participants. If you choose not to be recorded, you can rename yourself with a nickname and turn off your camera. Session recordings and materials will be added to our NGL online library - when it has been created -  for anyone interested in this offering in the future.

Thank you for your interest in this workshop. We are very excited to be launching this series and eager to work with you if you decide to join us.