Essentials of Strategic Nonviolence
The core curriculum experience
Our comprehensive core curriculum is designed to equip you with a deep understanding of strategic nonviolent action. This foundational program is perfect for individuals committed to making a difference through effective nonviolent movements.
**Historical Inspiration**
Learn from the strategies of historical figures like the Ta-Setti Warriors of Kush, Tecumseh’s resistance against U.S. expansion, Rev. James Lawson, and Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement. We also explore Gene Sharp’s revolutionary approach to nonviolence, emphasizing the development of intellectual, emotional, and functional intelligence to effectively navigate conflict.
**Get a foundation on our core principles***
Explore the necessity and intersections of the core principles
- The Head: Strategic thinking—planning effectively, using resources wisely, and understanding the impact of actions.
- The Heart: Emotional commitment—grounding in values, maintaining resilience, and fostering unity.
- The Feet: Practical action—developing skills for deliberate, impactful movement execution.
**Explore the History and Practice**
Delve into the rich history of strategic nonviolence and explore its evolution and practical applications in today’s world. Our curriculum covers essential components of nonviolent action—obstruction, construction, and transformation—for a well-rounded approach to addressing social injustices.
**Engage and Learn**
Participate in interactive sessions that blend historical examples, vibrant discussions, and theoretical insights. Gain the tools necessary to challenge unjust systems, create equitable alternatives, and foster meaningful societal change. Join us at the Strategic Nonviolence Academy and be part of the movement for a more just world!
Why join this experience?
Our comprehensive course equips you with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills vital for understanding and implementing strategic nonviolence. Explore the principles, tactics, and historical successes of nonviolent resistance, and discover how to harness nonviolence as a powerful tool for social change.
Engage in dialogues, case studies, and hands-on workshops designed to enhance your skills. Our dynamic format, including interactive games, fosters resilience, adaptability, and innovation, preparing you to tackle the complexities of contemporary social movements.
Get the needed support to implement your ideas with the support of your community
The Essentials of Strategic Nonviolence
The Foundational Skills for the Work of Liberation
This foundational program prepares you for the disciplined work of liberation. We start with your lived experience, connecting it to a powerful blend of theory and practice through our Head, Heart, and Feet approach.
Our Foundation & Approach
Grounded in a History of Struggle
Our approach is grounded in the history of real-world struggle, beginning with the disciplined nonviolence of Rev. James Lawson and Martin Luther King Jr., the pragmatic organizing of Bayard Rustin and Cesar Chavez, and the revolutionary analysis of Gene Sharp and George Lakey. Their collective wisdom teaches us the same essential lesson: winning liberation requires strategic analysis, principled discipline, and powerful, collective action. But believing in leaving nothing on the table that aids in the work of liberation, we also study the tactical prowess of leaders like Queen Amanirenas of Kush and the strategic genius of Tecumseh.
Get a Foundation on the Core Components
- The Head: Strategic thinking—planning effectively, using resources wisely, and understanding the impact of actions.
- The Heart: Emotional commitment—grounding in values, maintaining resilience, and fostering unity.
- The Feet: Practical action—developing skills for deliberate, impactful movement execution.
How You’ll Learn
Build on Your Lived Experience
Each session is a space to learn together. We blend insights from history, the energy of deep discussion, and the clarity of strategic frameworks—all grounded in the lived experiences of our participants—to build a shared understanding.
Explore Through Practice
Our programs are built for direct application. What you learn in our sessions is designed to be used in the real-world struggles you face.
The Weekly Rhythm
This completely online, 12-week intensive is built around a consistent rhythm of learning and practice. Each week, you will:
- Engage in a 2-hour live session with leading practitioners and strategists.
- Join an optional weekly Learning Circle for peer coaching and shared reflection.
- Develop and launch a real-world campaign project over the course of the program.
What You'll Build
Weave Theory into Practice
Translate foundational wisdom into practical, real-world tools for your struggle
Develop an Integrated Approach
Learn how to unite strategic analysis (Head), principled discipline (Heart), and community power (Feet).
Cultivate a Network of Support
Grow with a dedicated community of peers who will support and challenge you throughout the process.
Strengthen Your Resilience
Cultivate the inner grounding and community building skills needed for the long-term work of building a more just world.
Our Teaching
Process
The Academy employs a participatory and empowering pedagogical approach, drawing inspiration from Myles Horton's "Circle of Learners" and Paulo Freire's
Our learning communities
Within the Strategic Nonviolence Academy, learning communities are crucial for collective learning. These dynamic "contact zones" foster intellectual and emotional engagement,
Start Your Journey Today
Our Teaching Process
The Academy employs a participatory and empowering pedagogical approach, drawing inspiration from Myles Horton’s “Circle of Learners” and Paulo Freire’s “Critical Pedagogy.” This framework fosters a democratic learning environment where learners and facilitators share power through open dialogue. Education is viewed as a catalyst for social change, empowering learners to critically examine and challenge oppressive systems through critical thinking, reflection, and dialogue. The highly interactive and engaging methodology utilizes historical examples, discussions, theoretical insights, case studies, interactive workshops, games, simulations, and dynamic activities grounded in real-world application. Participants are encouraged to actively shape their learning experience rather than passively receiving information.
Our learning communities
Within the Strategic Nonviolence Academy, learning communities are crucial for collective learning. These dynamic “contact zones” foster intellectual and emotional engagement, enabling practitioners to critically reflect on experiences and connect theory with action for liberation. Integral to the academy’s “whole movements” approach, they cultivate strategic thinking, emotional commitment, and practical action. Learning communities bridge online learning and real-world application, fostering a supportive environment for knowledge generation, personal growth, and network building among organizers.
How to Apply
This first cohort will be deliberately small as we craft this new process of developing leaders. So if you don’t make it into this cohort, we will contact you for the next one.
