Non-violence and Conflict Transformation Workshops

A series of workshops training various Sudanese groups in the principles and practice of non-violence.

Description

There were three types of non-violence workshops. Basic Non-violence introduced the theory, practice, history, current uses and religious dimensions of non-violence and gave participants a chance to practise their new skills; Training of Trainers provided more in-depth conceptual understanding of non-violence and its application, and taught participants to lead their own workshops; Do No Harm taught the principles of the 'Do No Harm' theory, and discussed how it can be applied to the work of development organisations and to the Sudan situation as a whole.

Aims / Objectives

Our whole approach to non-violence is new in Sudan: although we have enormous experience of traditional non-violent resolution of conflicts, there is little study undertaken to apply these non-violent methods to solving our daily problems. Due to the various social and economic problems surrounding the target groups, the workshop participants rarely have the opportunity to meet together. Here, they are involved in planning, organising, implementing and reporting on the workshops. They benefit by sharing experiences, analysing problems, discussing and disseminating information, and from the experience of taking joint action through non-violence. This is done with the following aims:

• to develop understanding of the concept, theory and practice of non-violence;
• to discuss how non-violence can be used in Sudan and the rest of the world today;
• to discuss how different religions can support violence and non-violence;
• to train people to lead non-violence workshops, and to share experience of teaching and as workshop leaders.
  
  

Achievements / Learning Points

Achievements:

• Dozens of workshops organised since 1999. In 2005, these reached 353 female and 284 male participants, a total of 637. Many of these subsequently expressed great interest in becoming members of SONAD. We were particularly pleased with the high level of female participation.
• Through the workshops, new initiatives on non-violence and new non-violence groups were developed. In-depth, honest and self-critical discussions about religion were held, and the churches were involved in non-violence training. Members of different Sudanese communities shared experience and knowledge of non-violence.
• This work raised the profile of non-violence in the communities, and allowed the articulation of people’s difficulties, needs, attitudes, feelings and aspirations. It contributed to decreased tension and violence in the communities and in Sudan as a whole. Participants expressed hope that such workshops would continue to empower the downtrodden Sudanese communities.

Learning points:

• Some tribes see violence as part of their life, so non-violence is an abstract concept to them. It is also widely seen as a novel subject for academic study, but one connected to the development of people’s political consciousness.
• Communities acknowledged the value of the workshops, and appreciated the chance to articulate and discuss their views.
  
  

Geographical area of operation

The activities take place in Khartoum with IDPs and other target groups. SONAD is also active in the southern states and the Nuba Mountains.

Achievements / Learning Points

Human resources at SONAD, financial resources through membership and subscription fees and support from the Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation (sweFOR) through the Swedish Mission Council (SMC) and the German Development Service (DED)/Khartoum.

Organisations involved

Sudan council of Churches (SCC), UNDP, professionals from the University of Juba (Centre for Peace studies), University of Khartoum (Institute of Study of Public Administration and Study of Federalism), Sudan Self-Help Foundation (SSF), Sudan Catholic Bishop's Conference (SCBC), Province of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan (ECS), Dioceses of Lui and Mundri, Law Offices of Advocate John Simon Yor, Civil Society Network/Khartoum. Arch Diocese of Khartoum, Gender Centre for Research, Alternative Violence Project (AVP), Eve Society for Women Development, Sudanese Organisation for Human and Rural Development (SUORD), professionals from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology University of Juba/Khartoum.