Peace and Justice at Christmas

As some world leaders rattle their sabres for war, be aware of the many groups who are committed to building a just peace through non-violence.

The Rossing Centre, based in Jerusalem is one that takes centre stage for me.

Sami Awad and Michael Beer, co-founders of Non Violence International also are high on my list. Their post today is worth sharing.

"As we honour Human Rights Day, we recall Dr. King's statement that humanity MUST choose between nonviolence or nonexistence. We need to build global movements that use the tools and values of nonviolence now more than ever. 

Below are 17 leading groups that inspire, train or mobilize nonviolent resistance and social change. Most work multi-nationally and across multiple social movements. Given the rise of dictatorship in the US, this year we are emphasizing US groups. Please consider becoming a consistent donor and ask yourself if you can devote 1% of your income to the global nonviolence movement. Please also contact or visit them and see how you can volunteer.

The groups are listed in no particular order.

Backbone Campaign - 150 Solidarity Brigades nationwide doing overpass banner actions almost weekly, along with light projections and other artful activism. They deployed giant We the People banners to major cities for the No Kings marches. 

Africans Rising - envisions Africa-wide activism, solidarity and unity and that the Peoples of Africa will build the future they want, with a right to justice, peace, dignity and shared prosperity.

Nonviolent Peace Force - Does unarmed civilian protection in Ukraine, Sudan, Philippines, and performs much training in conflict de-escalation. 

CANVAS - with an HQ in Belgrade, Serbia, they operate a network of international trainers and consultants with expertise in building and running successful nonviolent movements. They work to build a more just, democratic, and responsible society.”Srda Popovich and Slobodan Djinovic are brilliant people-power coaches.

DC Peace Team - Provides some of the best and most affordable and frequent online trainings. Led by Eli McCarthy, and operated on a modest budget. 

Beautiful Trouble - great online resource center for creative nonviolent action and training, and a leader in support of artistic activism and social change. It's co-led by the extraordinary Nadine Bloch.

Metta Center & Nonviolence Radio - wonderful podcasts and many Gandhian inspired resources. Michael Nagler and Stephanie Van Hook are a treasure.

Pace e Bene - founded in 1989, the name is an Italian greeting from St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi meaning “Peace and all Good.” The organization coordinates Campaign Nonviolence with the help of the indefatigable Ken Butigan and many others.

Acción Noviolenta en las Américas - provide education, training, leadership development and research in the Americas in Spanish, French and Portuguese. Nonviolence News - each week, this newsletter brings 30-50 stories of nonviolence in action to readers, illuminating the scope of how nonviolence is actively shaping our world. It is the best site for nonviolent action news and movements, thanks to the superstar Rivera Sun.

Waging Nonviolence - is a nonprofit media organization dedicated to providing original reporting and expert analysis of social movements around the world. NVI fiscally sponsored WN for years before they spun off under the inspired leadership of Eric Stoner and others.

Detention Watch Network - immigrant rights group in the USA doing nonviolent action and training.

Training For Change - training and capacity building organization for activists and organizers. They believe strong training and group facilitation is vital to movement building for social justice and radical change. Founded by none other than our dear friend George Lakey.

Nonviolence Education and Research Center in Turkey - primary resource center for Turkish language speakers supporting all kinds of marginalized communities. Training, research, activism in a challenging environment, based in Istanbul."

Federal Workers For Democracy - a newly formed coalition of federal workers and allies, mobilizing the federal workforce to directly defy dangerous, illegal orders. They are building networks across every federal agency, from executive to frontline worker, in every state and across the globe. They provide training and support resources to federal workers to equip them to resist, together, and mobilize the public to have their backs. 

International Peace Bureau - global non‑governmental network founded in 1891 that works for disarmament, non‑violent conflict resolution and a “world without war.” 400 member organisations in 100 countries, together with individual members, form a global network, bringing together knowledge and campaigning experience. They do great work with a small staff, led by Sean Conner. 

Rete Pace e Disarmo - coalition of numerous civil‑society associations, trade unions and movements in Italy united since 2020 to promote peace, nuclear and conventional disarmament, restrict arms exports and oppose military escalation. 

Blessed are the peacemakers,

David