Call for Applications
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.
The Choice Ahead:
Thriving Communities or Dismantled Democracy
Given everything occurring worldwide, including rising authoritarianism, shrinking civic spaces, attacks, people seeking asylum, black women, and democracy itself, we must prepare for the coming years of struggle. Our ability to develop the capacity for protracted struggle will be directly linked to the outcomes we observe in this world. We have a choice: a dismantled democracy or a democracy that promotes the dignity of every human being. To realize the latter, we must be prepared to fight for it, and the Strategic Nonviolence Academy aims to build a stable of leaders willing and capable of bringing about such a democracy.
How to Apply
Please complete this form to apply to the Strategic Nonviolence Academy.
We invite you to engage in our approach to movement building. It focuses on “whole movements” and “whole-person development” for aspiring nonviolent practitioners. This means deepening your preparation for struggle and integrating the essential elements of the Head (Strategic Thinking), the Heart (Emotional Commitment and Community Connection), and the Feet (Organizing Skills and Practical Action). This comprehensive approach is designed to develop well-rounded practitioners who can navigate 21st-century challenges and build movements that lead to sustainable victories.
Bringing Together the Community to Build Strong Movements
The Strategic Nonviolence Academy is a movement preparation experience and a community-building experience. Through this process, you can build community with other organizers around the United States, learn from each other, and collaborate to build the world you want. You will also have a direct line to several different movement veterans across the country and world who will help you shape your project and ensure that your work is leading in an impactful direction.
Training Format
The Essentials of Strategic Nonviolence is designed as a rigorous, extensive 12-week pilot program. The program will be completely online. If you engage in the core curriculum program, you will:
- Attend one 2 hour session a week with leading practitioners
- (Optional) Attend one learning community session a week for reflection and peer coaching
- Be responsible for a campaign and/or project to be incubated during the 12 weeks
Time Commitment
Why should I join a learning community?
Practice is the best form of learning. To ensure you’re out in the community and building movements, we are creating intentional spaces to help you integrate and implement your learning. Joining a learning community will be a significant time commitment. However, it will increase your chances of success on the ground.
What happens if I have to miss a session?
All sessions will be recorded for you to refer back to. However, dialogue, simulations, and reflections will heavily aid the bulk of the sessions, so you’ll get the best out of it by being on the live sessions.
Who is this for?
We are looking for organizers (volunteer or paid) and movement builders operating in the United States for this cohort.
The Academy is for those who want to develop into well-rounded leaders. To get the most out of this experience, you must want to engage in strategic thinking, community building, and skills practice.
The Academy is for people who are biased towards action. We want people willing to incubate and launch a campaign during their time there. It’s not for spectators.
As a participant, you will...
You will engage in a rigorous development process centered on the Head, Heart, and Feet approach:
You will also:
- Work on an impactful project throughout the curriculum, ensuring practical application of concepts and skills.
- Participate in a learning community for critical reflection and practice across the Head, Heart, and Feet.
- Engage with experts in leadership development, strategic nonviolent action, and organizing skills.
- Have opportunities for peer coaching and mentorship.
- Explore the rich history of strategic nonviolence.
- Learn about essential manifestations of Strategic Nonviolence like obstruction, construction, and transformation.
- Engage with the ethical dimensions of nonviolent action and servant leadership.
Logistics
Key Dates
Fees: Sliding Scale
Questions? Email: info@strategicnonviolenceacademy.org