How can we make the best case for shifting from war to peace? What must we understand and know about the war system if we are to dismantle it? How can we become more effective advocates and activists for ending all wars, pursuing disarmament, and creating systems that maintain peace? These questions and more will be explored as we delve into the course.

Who Needs Violence?

Unarmed civilian peacekeeping provides an effective, more sustainable, and potentially transformative alternative to militarized peacekeeping. Between 1900-2006, campaigns of nonviolent civil resistance were twice as successful as violent campaigns. In this class, we will explore the viability of nonviolence as an alternative to war and military-based defense. We will also discuss practical strategies for nonviolent communication and conflict resolution in our daily lives. With special guest speakers LeeAnne McKenna and Lyn Adamson who have extensive experience with peace-building work in war-torn communities around the world.

Lyn Adamson is an experienced trainer in conflict resolution with St. Stephen’s Conflict Resolution Service, and is a trainer with Nonviolent Peaceforce Canada. A Quaker and mother of two, Lyn is a member of the boards of: Greenspiration, Canadian Voice of Women for Peace, the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative and Nonviolent Peaceforce Canada.