Nonviolent Approach Research Articles

How Much Participation Is Participatory? Opportunities and Challenges of Doing Participatory Action Research With Latin American teachers.

This paper provides a detailed account of a participatory action research project carried out with trainee teachers in Chile. Two participant cohorts embarked upon a research study seeking to identify instances of violence and exclusion in their classrooms. Such exploration was conducted through a series of participatory workshops that explored the link between violence and inequality, as well as how nonviolent approaches might assist in fostering more inclusive learning environments. Both participatory action research (PAR) and workshops as a research methodology constitute novel approaches within the Chilean context, where a large number of studies interrogating issues of inequality and classroom violence are of a descriptive rather than empirical nature. Consequently, this paper gives a rationale for using PAR in the first place, then provides a detailed account of how each iteration was designed, the changes that were made in between and the degree of participation achieved with each cohort. Further, the paper makes an argument for a wider use of PAR as a method that strives for social justice and equity in education, while at the same time exploring its advantages, common critiques, and the challenges encountered during the study. Finally, and in light of what transpired in this study, this paper posits that workshops constitute a sustainable participatory research method that provides space for collaboration, creativity, and self-inquiry, while considering several improvements and modifications for future studies.

Caregiving experiences and practices: qualitative formative research towards development of integrated early childhood development interventions targeting Kenyans and refugees in Nairobi’s informal settlements

BackgroundEvidence is needed to understand factors that influence child development and caregiving experiences, especially in marginalized contexts, to inform the development and implementation of early childhood development (ECD) interventions. This study explores caregiving practices for young children in an urban informal settlement with Kenyans and embedded refugees, and identifies factors shaping these caregiving experiences, to inform the design and development of potentially appropriate ECD interventions.MethodsA qualitative formative study, which included 14 focus group discussions (n = 125 participants), and 13 key informant interviews was conducted between August and October 2018. Purposive sampling approaches were used to select a diverse range of respondents including caregivers of children below three years of age and stakeholders of Kenyan nationality and refugees. Data were analysed using a thematic approach and the Nurturing Care Framework was used as an interpretative lens.ResultsThere was a fusion of traditional, religious and modern practices in the care for young children, influenced by the caregivers’ culture, and financial disposition. There were mixed views/practices on nutrition for young children. For example, while there was recognition of the value for breastfeeding, working mothers, especially in the informal economy, found it a difficult practice. Stimulation through play was common, especially for older children, but gaps were identified in aspects such as reading, and storytelling in the home environment. Some barriers identified included the limited availability of a caregiver, insecurity, and confined space in the informal settlement, all of which made it difficult for children to engage in play activities. Physical and psychological forms of discipline were commonly mentioned, although few caregivers practiced and recognized the need for using non-violent approaches. Some overarching challenges for caregivers were unemployment or unstable sources of income, and, particularly for refugee caregivers, their legal status.ConclusionThese findings point to the interplay of various factors affecting optimal caregiving for young children in an urban informal settlement with Kenyans and refugees. Integrated ECD interventions are needed for such a mixed population, especially those that strive to anchor along caregivers’ social support system, co-designed together with community stakeholders, that ideally focus on parent skills training promoting nurturing care and economic empowerment.

Forging Alternative Resistance Through Empathy in Sahar Khalifeh's Wild Thorns

Until recently, Palestinian nonviolent resistance has historically been overshadowed by the narrative of armed and violent resistance. This article contends that the reality of Palestinian resistance is relatively nonviolent and explores alternative nonviolent approaches drawing on Sahar Khalifeh's novel Wild Thorns. Originally published in 1976 and translated into English in 1985, Khalifeh's novel serves as a blueprint for nonviolent resistance, emphasizing empathy. This research demonstrates how interethnic connections between antagonistic groups, particularly in workplace settings, can mitigate violence by humanizing the face of the perceived enemy. Through documenting the violence of imperial imposition and scrutinizing the means by which a nation can resist its occupier nonviolently, Khalifeh creates a readership that is ready to empathize by acknowledging the trauma experienced by the Other.

Peran pemerintah dalam mempromosikan alternatif penyelesaian sengketa di Indonesia

The Indonesian government has implemented diverse initiatives to foster a nonviolent approach to resolving family law conflicts. The study will examine the involvement of governments and their initiatives in advocating for conflict resolution as a viable method for addressing societal concerns. The aggregation of cases handled by multiple courts led to a prolonged resolution of the recorded concerns. This study will focus on two distinct problem formulations. Firstly, we will discuss the government's role in promoting alternative dispute resolution as a solution to difficulties. Secondly, we will examine why government techniques for implementing alternative conflict resolution are superior to resorting to court proceedings for dispute settlement. This research aims to enhance people's understanding of the government's provision of non-judicial or alternative dispute resolution. The report seeks to analyze the government's initiatives in addressing the issue of Islamic family law. This study will utilize library research and significant data regarding specific government initiatives. This will be accomplished using a legal and normative approach. The study findings indicate that the government is actively promoting alternative methods of resolving disputes, such as mediation. This is being done through the implementation of mediation in the courts, improving legal aid services, enacting laws on a large scale, and encouraging the utilization of information and communication technologies. The strategy is executed by promoting mediation and conciliation in all court proceedings, establishing dispute resolution centers, empowering women to reduce disputes related to women, promoting legal education and awareness, and maximizing the utilization of technology and information.

NONVIOLENT STRUGGLE AND UNCERTAINTY: SOME PERCEPTIONS OF TIBETAN DIASPORA IN DELHI

The present study argues that there is a need to explore peoples perceptions of non-violent struggle and their life experience with non-violent struggle which can enrich the debate of the contemporary relevance of non-violent struggle. To explore this, the Tibetan diaspora from Delhi is taken as a case for this purpose, who have adopted non-violent struggle for more than six decades as of now. In-depth interviews were carried out in a Tibetan settlement at MajnuKaTilla in Delhi. Twenty-fiverespondents were interviewed using purposive sampling.Their views are mostly pessimistic about the non-violent approach, given its high rate of unsuccessfulness and its negligible impact on China. The lackadaisical approach of international peace keeping organisations towards their non-violent approach is also responsible for it.These reasons are compelling some of them to think of violence as an alternative tool to achieve the desired end. To address these radical tendencies, efforts like educating Tibetans about M K Ghandi, Martin Luther king Jr. and Nelson Mandelas contribution and the systematic utilization of non-violent strategies in an innovative way to achieve the goal might help. The study concludes with the fact that International peace keeping organisations especially United Nations can make a significant contribution in internationalising the Tibetan issue and provide peaceful solution.

The Role of Fear and Memory in West Papua's Ethnonationalist Conflict

In the West Papua conflict, fear fuels both Papuan ethnonationalist and Indonesian nationalist sentiment. We argue that this reciprocal fear and memoria passionis plays a significant role in fuelling political violence. On the one hand, it provokes Papuan activists to respond violently to Indonesian military operations. Fear of losing future generations of indigenous Papuans has strengthened their identity as Papuans and encouraged them to join armed movements against Indonesia. On the other hand, fear of West Papuan independence leads the Indonesian military and police to conduct operations against members of the Free Papua Movement and affiliated groups and other activists not in the independence movement. This results in a "reciprocal fear-fuelled nationalism," whereby Indonesian security forces and Papuan separatist activists are drawn into increasing conflict. In this context, fear becomes institutionalized and socially constructed. By understanding the unending violent conflict in Tanah Papua as related to the transfer of emotions across generations, it becomes clear a military operations approach will not be effective in the long term. Non-violent approaches, especially dialogue with separatist groups, will be more effective in breaking the chain of violent memories, resulting in more positive outcomes for conflict resolution in Papua. Learning from negotiations between the government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement in 2005, we support the proposition that dialogue is the best entry point by which to end this prolonged separatist armed conflict.

Modernity, violence and ‘environmentalism of the poor’: the visuality of inauspicious in Orijit Sen’s River of Stories

ABSTRACT Modern and material development in the name of progress has always hindered and displaced a few specific communities like tribal, Adivasis, or indigenous people in India. In a developing country like India, most modern projects are implemented following the Nehruvian model of development, often criticised as ‘flawed.’ Once constructed, while much fuss and hype are made about such ‘Modern’ projects, the sufferings and plight of the surrounding local communities are often neglected, and their voice remains unheard. Analysing Orijit Sen’s graphic narrative River of Stories (1994, 2022), this article focuses on the ‘visuality of inauspicious’ in the form of constructing the Sardar Sarovar Dam in the country. The Dam displaced several Adivasis, and their society also ‘dislodged from its ideal state’ (Sen 2018, 110) and caused environmental degradation in the surrounding areas. This article underscores how the usurping of the villager’s land in the name of modernity, development, and national progress evokes the process of colonisation and its associated violence. The article also explores the environmental movement in the form of ‘Environmentalism of the Poor’ that rose against this project, and while analysing the movement, I discuss in detail how the villagers adopted an eco-conscious and Gandhian non-violent approach.

Prevalence of Parental Violent Discipline Toward Children: Findings From A Portuguese Population.

Despite recognizing the detrimental impact of parental violence on children's mental and physical health throughout their lives, violence remains an all-too-real part of life for many children around the globe. However, data on the child-reported prevalence of experienced family violence are scarce and primarily based on parental reports. This study aimed to broaden the body of evidence and measure the lifetime prevalence of child-reported experience of violent disciplinary practices perpetrated by parents and to identify its associated sociodemographic and economic factors. We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from 5,281 Generation XXI participants recruited from 2005 to 2006 in Porto, Portugal. Parental disciplinary practices were reported by 7-year-old children using the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale. Pearson's Chi-squared test was used to compare differences in child-reported frequencies of violent disciplinary practices by sociodemographic variables. We observed statistically significant differences in rates of violent disciplinary practices according to the child's and parent's gender. Specifically, fathers exhibited a higher likelihood than mothers to engage in psychological aggression and corporal punishment, while mothers were more prone to engage in severe and very severe physical assault. When fathers were the perpetrators, boys were more inclined than girls to report all forms of violent disciplinary measures, and when mothers were the perpetrators, boys were particularly susceptible to severe and very severe physical assault compared to girls. In our study, children reported being frequently subjected to violent parental disciplinary practices, independently of family socioeconomic background. Children were more likely to experience psychological aggression and corporal punishment if they were born into high-income families, while severe and very severe physical assaults were more common among children whose parents had lower educational levels. National public awareness of the negative effects of violent disciplinary practices is urgently needed, promoting child-friendly and nonviolent approaches to discipline.

Facilitation of Young Mosque Activists to Strengthen Moderate Religious Attitudes by Studying The Interpretation of Quran Verses

The study's objective is to enhance the mosque youth's moderate religious stance by examining how the verses of the Koran are interpreted. This study employs descriptive approaches in a qualitative manner. Teenagers who belonged to the youth community of the Al-Falah mosque served as the research's informants. Techniques for gathering data include observation and interviewing. After studying the interpretation of the ayat-ayat al-Qur’an that discuss religious moderation, such as Qs. Al-Baqarah 256, the effects of the mentorship are that there is a shift in the understanding and attitude of religious moderation. The teens at Al-Falah Mosque were first ignorant of the concept of religious moderation because their school and surroundings were exclusively Muslim. The understanding and attitude of religious moderation among youth in mosques changed after talks and a series of mentoring activities. This was demonstrated by the youth's loyalty to their country, their mutual respect, their tolerance and respect for differences, their nonviolent approach to resolving conflicts, and their willingness to participate in and be open to local culture. Religious moderation is crucial because it can unite disparate ideological viewpoints and foster harmony. Religious moderation is an endeavor to restore comprehension of religion in accordance with the values of respecting and maintaining the dignity of religious individuals.

Evaluating the impact of conceptual change pedagogy on student attitudes and behaviors toward controversial topics in Iraq

This study assesses the effect of conceptual change pedagogy on students’ attitudes toward pluralism and related rights within culturally sensitive contexts. Global efforts to address the spread of intolerant ideologies that foment radicalization, discrimination, and violence are fraught with controversy. Prior research on the Middle East and North Africa region has found that efforts to address these challenges in the field of education — including reform to curricula, the promotion of narratives inclusive of religious diversity, and civics education initiatives — have had varied levels of success. Absent from these efforts is the development of an effective pedagogy and the training of teachers to identify and address ideologies and behaviors that foment intolerance and conflict among students. Hardwired Global developed a teacher training program based on conceptual change theory and pedagogy to fill these needs. Conceptual change refers to the development of new ways of thinking and understanding of concepts, beliefs, and attitudes. Hardwired Global implemented the program in partnership with the regional Directorate of Education for Mosul and the Nineveh Plains region of Iraq from 2019–2023. From 2021–2023, Hardwired trained 485 teachers in 40 schools across the region. Following the training, teachers implemented two lessons. A mixed method research study — with a primary focus on quantitative data collected — was conducted to determine the effect of the program on student perceptions, understanding, and behavior toward key concepts inherent to pluralism. Quantitative data consisted of a pre-post survey with four multiple choice questions. Scores on pre-surveys were compared to post-surveys and a two sample paired t-test was applied. We documented statistically significant developments in students’ conceptual understanding of key concepts inherent to pluralism and associated rights, including: respect for diversity in expression inclusion of diverse religious and/or ethnic communities, gender equality, and violent or non-violent approaches to conflict. Qualitative data consisted of semi-structured interviews with teachers and students implemented at the conclusion of the program and observations reported by Master Trainers and teachers during training and activity implementation. Findings suggest conceptual change pedagogy on pluralism and associated rights is a promising approach to education about controversial topics in conflict-affected and culturally sensitive environments.

Fiqh and Contested Authorities: Rethinking the Role of Sole Mediator in Building the Non-Violent Religious Practices According to the Medina Charter

The Medina Charter, also known as the Medina Constitution and was proposed by the Prophet Muhammad in 622 AD, is often regarded as one of the most important legal documents in Islamic history which provides an early example of peace building concepts in Islam, establishing the principles of governance, social relations, and religious tolerance in the early Muslim community. Based on a literature-review method, this paper, indeed, is an attempt to explore the performance of fiqh and its contested authorities which focuses on examining how far the role of a sole mediator (top-level approach) can prove to be effective in dealing with the issue of fiqh within disputing parties. The author contends that the Medina Charter provides a framework for establishing peace and harmony among various religious communities, and that the concept of a sole mediator is critical to accomplishing this goal. The article discusses the key provisions of the Medina Charter and their modern relevance, as well as how the role of a sole mediator can help to promote nonviolent religious practises and peaceful conflict resolution. The article reveals in its conclusion that the Medina Charter is indeed a relevant source of Islamic conception of reconciliation and peacemaking effort. This also evidences that use of non-violent approach by the sole mediator (top-level approach) in resolving the conflict, as is shown by Prophet Muhammad in Medina through the Medina Charter, was remarkably effective. It aides the construction of a peaceful social life age-old conflicts, developing bond of loves among the conflicting groups and restructuring the political power that were essential for developing sustainable peace in the Medina.

Social media, transnationalism and contentious politics: a study of networked public on the Global Naga Forum’s Facebook page

The Global Naga Forum (GNF), a Naga civil society organization, spearheaded the historic Naga solidarity walk on 20 July 2022, to unify the fragmented and dispersed Nagas across borders. GNF’s Facebook page acts as a transnationalizing platform in its attempt to amplify Naga voices and build networks for social and political change. A thematic analysis of 321 textual posts extracted from GNF’s Facebook page reveals key themes such as peace, unity, inclusivity, solidarity, and resilience. Data show that activity spikes around Naga historical landmarks, and the top three types of posts are videos, pictures, and relay posts, with mostly “like” and “love” reactions to videos, pictures, and news updates. The sentiment analysis of the 863 comments reveals maximum positive sentiments in solidarity with the Naga cause and minimal negative expressions attributed to frustration, condemnation, and skepticism. Naga’s contentious politics via social media is constructed as a transnational social movement amplifying their grievances with a non-violent approach. The nationalist factors reveal a strong desire to reclaim the Naga homeland and the right to self-determination. In the role of a choreographer, GNF orients towards the symbolic condensation of the Nagas, based on “a Naga is a Naga” identity.

Why West African states do not go to war with each other: ‘Pan-West Africanism’ and constructivist international relations

ABSTRACT Realism and liberalism theories have had the most significant influence on the analyses for international relations. While the theories have proven useful in enriching understanding of complex situations at the regional level, both are insufficient in explaining the absence of violent inter-state conflicts in West Africa. This article argues that realism and liberalism cannot explain the absence of inter-state conflicts in West Africa. Instead, constructivism offers a more useful explanation by focusing on the values that define state relations. The principle of non-aggression and peaceful settlement of disputes appear more pronounced among the states and define their relations. Adherence to these norms has led to the emergence of a collective identity and a security community among the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) states. The common identity and non-violent approach of the states towards each other is founded on the values of ‘Pan-West Africanism’ that advocates West African unity, brotherliness and solidarity. Pan-West Africanism reinforces a consciousness of a commonly shared colonial history and the construction of a post-colonial victim identity and oppressed members of the international community that requires mutual cooperation devoid of violence.

Mahatma Gandhi’s Paradigm of Peaceful Conflict Resolution: A Critical Assessment

Human life frequently involves conflict, yet man has also tried to resolve conflicts practically since the dawn of time. Conflict can be resolved in one of two ways: violently or nonviolently. Humans always have to decide whether to use violence or nonviolent means to settle disputes. Gandhi is remembered for his decision to choose Satyagraha, or nonviolent resistance, to resolve disagreements. Many scholars and individuals have described the nonviolent approach to settling problems both before and after Gandhi, but Gandhi was the one who not only spoke and wrote a great deal about it, but also exemplified it in his thoughts, words, and deeds. Through the assistance of a mediator, the modern Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) movement has developed a mechanism meant to prevent litigation and give parties to disagreements some degree of control over how they are resolved in a Gandhian spirit. The goal of the essay is to reexamine ADR from a Gandhian standpoint and show how Gandhian satyagraha and ADR techniques are related. Gandhi advocated for out-of-court settlements in numerous situations during his career and in public. Therefore, he might be referred to as the founder of ADR in India.

Decolonising non-violence: what Indigenous wisdom traditions contribute to non-violence teacher education

Knowledge systems and social philosophies from Indigenous communities in the Global South have long promoted non-violence through a sense of shared humanity and community building, and as such are valid counter-hegemonic alternatives to the existing colonial, Eurocentric model of knowledge production in use. This article details the contributions made by two specific Indigenous wisdom traditions – ubuntu and Buen Vivir – to a non-violence education teacher training programme in Chile framed within decolonial epistemologies. Using participatory workshops as a method, this study sought to offer Chilean trainee teachers a set of tools to explore issues of discrimination and exclusion and to deal with tensions arising from these issues informed by non-violent approaches. Participants read and reflected on how these wisdom traditions could contribute to their own teaching practice and later planned and facilitated a session with their peers to help them develop awareness on the principles of ubuntu and Buen Vivir. Results show paradigm shifts in three areas: individual versus collective action; their perception of human interconnectedness and of our interconnectedness with the environment; and how these perspectives could inform their teaching practice to foster greater inclusiveness.

Walisongo and the Notion of Abrasive Strategies in Countering Radicalism in Indonesia

This paper focuses on the role of Walisongo in addressing religious radicalism in Indonesia. Religious radicalism has emerged due to excessive internet consumption in today’s technologically advanced world. Consequently, it necessitates serious efforts to tackle this issue, including exploring local knowledge to counteract religious radicalism behaviors. This qualitative study adopts a library research approach, incorporating diverse sources to explore theories and knowledge related to these phenomena. This study found the importance of implementing strategies that promote wise behavior and nonviolent approaches in reducing religious radicalism. These efforts primarily involve initiating a change in people’s mindset toward Islam. The success of the strategy to reduce the level of radicalism can be carried out through regional management (geographical considerations), arts management or cultural engagement, health management (medical aspects), fostering noble behavior (akhlāq al-karīmah), marriage alliances, and deepening religious knowledge.

Popular Resistance against Israeli Territorial Expropriation: Beita as a Model

AbstractThe Israeli‐Palestinian conflict dates back to the early 1930s. The most crucial factor that prolongs it and prevents any glimmer of hope is Israel's insistence on displacing the Palestinians from their lands and implanting Israeli citizens in their place. Motivated by inference theory, this study aims at investigating the latest wave of popular civil resistance against territorial expropriation in the town of Beita. The study shows that territorial confiscation is carried out systematically by Israeli settlers, aided by the army. It also shows that Beita's nonviolent approach to resistance enhances its legitimacy domestically and internationally and encourages a wider base of grassroots participation. Beita has always employed popular types of civil resistance, such as weekly protests and night‐confusion tactics at Jabal Sabih, to defend itself and expel settlers. Despite the high price Beita has paid and the settlers’ evacuation of the outpost, the Israeli military has turned the site into a base. The conclusion is that popular civil resistance has the potential to challenge occupiers in a powerful way.

Between the ‘Hand-Loom’ and the ‘Samson Stripper’: Fritz Schumacher's Struggle for Intermediate Technology

For twenty years, during which time he started to promote Intermediate Technology abroad and began writing Small is Beautiful (1973), E. F. Schumacher was an economist with the National Coal Board. As such, he led what he called a ‘double-life’. On the one hand, his work at the coal board involved colossal plant, pollution and brute human labour, the difficulty of which could be alleviated only by the adoption of heavy coal-extracting machinery. As time went on, Schumacher became deeply involved in managing and defending the declining coal sector, through the rationalisation and further mechanisation of its production activities. On the other hand, through his personal involvement in the Soil Association, his reading of the Gandhian literature and his exploration of Buddhism and other esoteric interests, he increasingly sought to promote a non-violent approach to economics, based on appropriate technology and gentle, labour-intensive methods, especially in the so-called developing countries. This paper tells the story of Schumacher's growing struggle to reconcile these contrasting spheres of his life, until such time as he could finally leave the coal board, give himself completely to Intermediate Technology and begin writing his influential book.

Optimizing Counterradicalism For The Young Generation In Preventing Terrorist Radicalism Through State Minded In Action

Deradicalization is guided by counterterrorism preventive measures as a strategic effort in neutralizing ideas that are considered radical and can be dangerous through a non-violent approach. This research was conducted with the aim of knowing radicalism in the younger generation, especially in higher education through questionnaires and interviews with related parties. Terrorism is currently a serious problem and endangers national security, so prevention efforts are needed. The target of the spread of radical terrorism that has infiltrated the university environment needs to be prevented and become a common concern, especially university leaders. The development of the radical flow of terrorism in the university environment can endanger the unity of the state because universities are a place for educational candidates for intellectuals, entrepreneurs, bureaucrats, technocrats and professionals. The aim of radicals is to bring about changes to the roots and for this they always use violent methods and oppose the existing structure of society. So that joint efforts are needed in preventing and overcoming the spread of radicalism, transformation of terrorism in universities. Efforts to prevent the various factors that cause radicalism are carried out with policies contained in universities and local governments through strengthening state minded in action among youth.

Divorce amongst Christian couples in Yoruba land: Challenges and implications

Divorce amongst married couples is a disturbing phenomenon amongst the Yoruba people of southern Nigeria. Unfortunately, the church in Yoruba land, which has focused much of its teachings on financial prosperity, has started facing the consequences of these lopsided teachings. Using a phenomenological approach, this study argues that the lack of sexual satisfaction (such as sexual starvation), poverty, activities of fake pastors, infidelity and lies from any of the partners are the major causes of increasing divorce rates amongst Yoruba Christians. Existing literature has not adequately addressed the issue of divorce amongst Yoruba Christians. This study explores the growing divorce rates from the lens of Yoruba Christians and how it impacts on the family, children and the church at large. As part of this recommendation, church leadership should start organising marriage seminars for married couples where they are taught a nonviolent approach to conflict resolution in the family.Contribution: This study indicates that the activities of some churches and their leaders indirectly support divorce, and the consequence is mostly felt by the children. This study argues that divorce is not supported by the church in Yoruba land. The study implicated practical theology.