Posts by Stephanie Van Hook

Nonviolent Peaceforce on the Island of Mindanao

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This short PBS video explores the work of the Nonviolent Peaceforce in Mindanao. It is an interesting look into new institutions emerging with a mission of building a nonviolent culture. As you watch this video, listen to how security, strength and possibility are discussed. NP co-founder Mel Duncan suggests that these teams will not do… read more

On Unarmed Civilian Peacekeeping in South Sudan

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The first 10 minutes of this PBS broadcast are dedicated to sharing the work of the Nonviolence Peaceforce’s work in South Sudan. Tiffany Easthom, country director of NP’s work in SS, discusses the challenges facing the South Sudanese since independence last year and how NP works with local communities as well as the limitations of… read more

Taking Women’s Lives Seriously: An Interview with Cynthia Enloe

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Originally published at Waging Nonviolence on September 13, 2012 By Stephanie Van Hook Curiosity, arguably, is the antidote to the passivity in politics. When we question the assumptions of candidates’ platforms, especially with regard to women, and when we learn from movements that take women seriously, we stand to awaken something more active and empowered… read more

The next phase of Sheik Jawdat Said’s nonviolent journey

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By Ken Butigan, originally posted at Waging Nonviolence on June 7, 2012 In the midst of the growing firestorm engulfing Syria, Sheik Jawdat Said is on his way back to the land of his birth. The eminent 81-year-old Islamic thinker has championed nonviolence for decades. In 1966, as Bashar Humeid reports, Said published The Doctrine… read more

Palestinian nonviolent activist from Bil’in to visit Petaluma

When: Monday, January 7, 2013 7:00-8:30 pm Speaker: Iyad Burnat Where: St. John’s Episcopal Church, Petaluma (5th and C Streets) Iyad Burnat is head of the Bil’in Popular Committee and a leader in the village’s non-violent popular resistance movement. Since 2005 citizens of Bil’in have held weekly demonstrations against the building of the Israeli separation… read more

Vote Power and People Power

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By Michael Nagler and Stephanie Van Hook Printed in Tikkun on Nov. 6, 2012 at this link What do Belgrade, Manila, and Kiev have in common? In all three capitals, among others, people took to the streets in large numbers to protest — and overthrow — a regime that sought to hold onto its power… read more

Constructive Program-Building the Solution as Resistance

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Since the age of 15 Nicholas has been particularly interested in the philosophical and spiritual aspects of principled nonviolence and Gandhian thought. He has been with the Metta since 2011 as an intern and assistant.  He recently completed Metta’s summer research fellowship on constructive program by creating a self-study audio lesson, an annotated bibliography, and… read more

National Peacemakers Summit Meeting Leads to Creation of Shanti Sena Network

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By Mary Hanna     Portland, OR –Seventeen people from across the United States and Canada, committed to nonviolence and teaching the tools of third-party nonviolent intervention, gathered this weekend at the Whitefeather Peace House in Portland, Oregon to discuss unifying their efforts to create a nonviolent response to violence in their local areas.  The three-day… read more

Conflict Escalation Curve

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Given a scientific approach to nonviolence we want to use the proportional approach to the degree of conflict we are facing. It would be wrong to reach for an extreme method like fasting too early or carry on with introductory level methods like letter writing past the point where it can be effective. Tempers flair… read more