Global Strategy of Nonviolence Summary Another World is Possible

NONVIOLENC

Thomas Merton, in Gandhi and the One-Eyed

Giant , Chapter One, stated,

“Nonviolence heals and restores man’s nature,

while giving him a means to restore social order

and justice.”

Nonviolence heals and restores man’s nature. What a beautiful

concept. No matter how bad situations may be, there is hope.

Nonviolence has the ability to make you feel good.

Even more

important, is the fact that nonviolence is part of a

healing process

when there is conflict or the conflict is over. There

will always be

conflict. People must find a way for society to respond.

Nonviolence offers a method of reconciliation.

Nonviolence (NV) allows for new thought and ideas. There is a

goodness and kindness in nonviolence. Nonviolence allows us to

feel good about what we are doing. NV allows us to smile during

confrontation instead of crying from death and destruction. Mother

Theresa said, “Peace begins with a smile.” NV allows us to have a

brightness and cheerfulness about our work. NV allows us to

resolve problems peacefully. Therefore, nonviolence offers a

proactive strategy to prevent conflict.

The power and strength of nonviolence is enormous! Mahatma

Gandhi said, “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of

mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction

devised by the ingenuity of man.”

Each day our world is becoming more violent and going in the

wrong direction. After 9/11, after the war and violence in Iraq,

Israel, Lebanon and Gaza, and the rhetoric between Iran, Syria,

and the U.S., people around the world are waiting for something

different, a new vision! The world needs a counter balance, a

movement for world-wide unity and nonviolence, giving credence

to the moderate voice and showing mutual respect. Therefore,

a World-Wide movement of NONVIOLENCE is proposed.

COMMITMENT TO NONVIOLENCE (NV

)

The modern world is in turmoil with violence escalating everywhere.

Is nonviolence a viable solution to problems? Is nonviolence able

to solve a major world conflict? There are examples of when it has

worked and when it hasn’t. However, it may depend on the level of

commitment. There will be pain and sorrow with both violence and

nonviolence. The question should be, if enough people practice

nonviolence, for a long enough period of time, will it work? And,

how much less pain, death, and destruction will there be in the

long run by following a path of nonviolence? There are a multitude

of articles, speeches, and books about the attributes of

nonviolence. One could postulate that thousands, if not millions,

less will die from a nonviolent struggle than from war. Therefore,

it is recommended that every country in the world make a commitment

to NONVIOLENCE.

We need to practice nonviolence as individuals and as societies. But, not just practice,

we must exhibit it so that others see it and know they are not alone.

What if people in every village, town, and city, in every country of the world committed to

nonviolence? What if there was a “Global Strategy of Nonviolence?” A strategy that

states: We come in peace, we offer the olive branch, we are not a threat, we are not

enemies, we are all part of the family of the human race, we have common bonds, we

apologize for our misdeeds, we forgive your misdeeds, we need to heal the wounds.

The strategy must be bold, large, and different. The strategy must be strong enough to

confront the behemoth of globalization and military psychology, a David vs. Goliath. An

OVERT EXHIBIT OF NONVIOLENCE is needed to start a global action that will break down

borders and build bridges. The “Global Strategy of Nonviolence” calls for an “OVERT

EXHIBIT” of nonviolence.

We need practical methods to, step by step, find peace. We also need idealistic, symbolic

inspiration. A “Global Strategy of Nonviolence” is a new political philosophy which both

provides inspiration and delineates practical methods for creating peace.

GLOBAL MOVEMENT

The peace movement is up against a Behemoth, and not just in the United States. The

world corporate and military machine that fuels violence is powerful. The answers are not

to be found by Democrats or Republicans, or by the Bush Administration. There must be

a people movement. Howard Zinn, author and historian, stated he “now will only follow a

people movement.” Therefore, it is respectfully suggested that the movement must be a

global, nonviolent, people movement.

CATALYST

For a movement of this magnitude, it is proposed that a catalyst is needed. A catalyst

would have to represent nonviolence and generate global media attention. Therefore, it

is respectfully suggested to utilize the strongest representative of nonviolence possible,

women! The name of the plan is called a “Call to Women, a World-wide Unity Campaign.”

WOMEN AS REPRESENTATIVE OF NONVIOLENCE

Women and Nonviolence are a perfect match! The sages throughout time have been

telling us the answer to conflict. It is NONVIOLENCE. But, a commitment to nonviolence

will be very difficult and needs something out of the ordinary that represents nonviolence

to empower people. I recommend WOMEN. Women, leading the way, proclaiming

nonviolence, have the ability to transcend national, religious, ideological boundaries.

It is suggested that the correlation of Women and Nonviolence (NV) is the “trump” card,

the motivating tool, to enlisting and empowering women. Not just in the US, but women all

over the world! The power and strength of nonviolence is enormous! Women will relate

to it. It should be a major element in all presentations. Currently, it is not proclaimed, yet

alone hardly mentioned. Everyone should first commit to nonviolence by taking an Oath

of Nonviolence.

OATH OF NONVIOLENCE (NV)

Everyone should first commit to nonviolence by taking an Oath of Nonviolence.

In the movie “Gandhi,” Gandhi was confronted with people’s fear, violent retaliation and

willingness to die. His response was, “I praise such courage. I need such courage

because in this cause I too am prepared to die, but my friends, there is no cause in which

I am prepared to kill. Whatever they do to us, we will attack no one, kill no one. They will

imprison us, fine us, seize our possessions, but they cannot take away our self respect, if

we do not give it to them.” He said, “We will not strike a blow.” Also, “…must prove

ourselves worthy” and “Let us take a solemn oath.” Gandhi’s fellow leaders concurred

and declared to their followers, “We will not raise a hand. They expect us to lose heart or

to fight back. We will do neither.”

PROCLAMATION

“With respect, we, the women of the world are declaring that we will not allow war in the

world and we will intervene with every NON-VIOLENT means possible to prevent it or stop

it! We do this “For the Children.”

To empower people, MLK wrote about nonviolence, “It gives them new self respect. It

calls up resources of strength and courage that they did not know they had. Finally, it so

stirs the conscience of the opponent that reconciliation becomes a reality.”

MANDATE

Is nonviolence able to be purposeful or instrumental in achieving a mandate in the world

for peace?

TEACH NONVIOLENCE

Following a nonviolent path allows others to see and learn from other examples. People

can then make their own choices.

SACRIFICE

Following a nonviolent path is difficult, requires sacrifice, and often involves confronting

mortality; but it is possible.

MEN

Men will support NV

CRITICAL MASS

A “Call to Women” will be the “largest, nonviolent” movement the world has ever seen!

There will be demonstrations in every village, town, and city in every country, creating the

Largest NONVIOLENT PEACEFORCE in the world.

The peace movement is sputtering, making a lot of “slow” progress, but not really

confronting the major issue. The major issue is in itself extreme! The major issue is

violence. To combat violence, another major extreme is needed. Therefore a major

initiative of NON-VIOLENCE is needed.

See

Commitment to Nonviolence

See what women are doing about violence

A Call to women directly confronts violence!

See VDay

http://www.vday.org/main.html

QUOTES

Jonathan Schell wrote in The Unconquerable World, about nonviolence, “It now must be

brought to bear on the choice between survival and annihilation. It is powerful because it

sets people in motion, and fixes before their eyes what they are ready to live and die for.

It is dangerous for the same reason. Whether combined with violence, as in people’s war,

sustained by a constitution, as in democracy, or standing alone, as in satyagraha or living

in truth, it is becoming the final arbiter of the public affairs of our time and the political

bedrock of our unconquerable world.”

See

Peace on Earth

Gandhi (in the movie) knew of the inner struggle involved; he knew of the anger there

would be against the opposition, but he said that we must “fight the anger, not provoke it.

… An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. … The devils are in your own heart

and that’s where the battles should be fought.”

Gandhi’s reality of trying to bring about change led him to profound convictions. “Change

their minds, not kill them for weakness that we all possess. …Resistance must be active

and proactive … must defy authority, not with violence but with a firmness that will open

their eyes.”

Most profoundly of all were Gandhi’s commitment to nonviolence and his awareness of the

risks. Gandhi said, “If we obtain our freedom (objective) from murder and bloodshed, I

want no part of it.”

PEACE and LOVE

How beautiful the world is when we live and work together in peace.

Global Strategy of Nonviolence

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Mother Theresa said, “Peace begins with a smile.”

(GS of NV)

GUIDELINES

In 3 years, we the
people, can change the
world.

PLAN ALL 3 PHASES

PHASE ONE:

Mobilize, in every village,
town, and city,in every
country!

Select Demands
and Deadlines

One year awareness
campaign

Starting Event

September 11, 2021
+23 scheduled events

PEOPLE POWER

The People must be
HEARD, the Moderate
Voice

We want the children to
see an overt exhibit of
nonviolence.