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  fredsundervisning@fredslaget.no
  telephone:
  97509836
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  Norges Fredslag
  Postboks 8922 Youngstorget
  0028 Oslo
  visiting address:
  Grensen 9B (Miljøhuset)

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POLITICAL NONVIOLENCE

IMPORTANT NOTE: political nonviolence is a concept that is misunderstood by many. Used properly, it is an active and effective tool for change. Therefore, unless you are very familiar with the concept, the ideas and practices, we strongly recommend that you read through the introduction to nonviolence.

This introduction includes the following:
- What is nonviolence?
- Five reasons for choosing nonviolent actions
- What kind of power do the people have?
- What can we do if we disagree with what those in power do?
- Examples of successful nonviolent actions (and revolutions) in modern times
- If we remove we must rebuild
- How can the individual contribute to change?
- What must change?
- Who must change?
- When must it change?
- Finding our niche

Particularly in situations where youth feel disempowered and resort to violence to make themselves heard, it is important to take their frustrations seriously, and give them the tools they need to act effectively without violence. Behind the violence is often an acknowledgement that violence itself is an inneffective tool, but the perpetrators believe that they have no other tools available.

Below you find exercises related to education on nonviolence. The descriptions will be opened in Microsoft Word format and can be changed, printed and saved by the user. NB! Any changes made to the documents will not be saved in our database. Feel free to adapt materials for your own use.
(we thank Wolf and Water, Mediation Services Oslo and Save the Children Norway for permission to use their exercises)

NOTE! We are still collecting good ideas for this page. If you have any good suggestions, please send them to us at babs@fredslaget.no.

The activities are marked with colour codes according to the age group they are meant for:

- Primary (6 -9 years)	- Middleschool (10 –13)
- Secondary (14-16)	- College (17+)

Peace-war-peace	Reflection around how difficult it is to go back to the starting point when war already has broken out.
Get into the circle	A simple exercise that illustrates that often the least violent way is the most effective!
One Man, Many Roles	Promotes awareness of the fact that we all have many roles, and are seen differently in the different roles we have. Reflection around the relevence this has to the theory of nonviolence.
Throwing stones	Focus on a very important aspect of conflict resolution. Behind one action there can be many reasons.
9 actions for change	With the help of the ABC conflict triangle, and the triangle of hierachy, participants suggest ways of acting to bring about change
Desert island	Consciousness raising about rules in society and mechanisms of governing in a democracy.
The eternal soldier	reflects around civilian co-responsibility in war situations
The strawtower-game	The students participate in an exercise where they need to cooperate in order to achieve on a common product.