Are you concerned and, like us, deeply worried about what’s happening in the world? Do 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. We are putting on this second 4-part workshop, in part, in 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 will be an introduction to NVC anchored in a systemic frame. This time, our focus will be 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 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.
We intend to focus 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.
Although this workshop will be a continuation of our previous one, everyone is welcome. We will hold this workshop with newcomers in mind. However, integration of this new angle on the systemic aspect of NVC would be facilitated if you have been at the first workshop or able to watch some of the recordings (available below, on a gift economy).
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 planning to extend an invitation to join a practice group in between sessions for those who would like that.
Sharing “NVC for Liberation” is a new initiative of the Nonviolent Global Liberation (NGL) project. We are offering 3 series of workshops over several months (restoring power or choice, togetherness and flow) as learning ground. We have plans to develop future offerings and build infrastructure and agreements to support the project (such as a website and more). We would enjoy everything running smoothly, but there may be a few glitches along the way such as delay in answering emails and other logistical issues.
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 workshops
2. We use it to give you access to the shared folder which includes: course materials, etc.
3. We use it to enable communication between course participants
Recording:
This course 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.