Nonviolence program offered to help cultivate conflict resolutions

03/28/07 - The University of Rhode Island Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies will offer a Summer Institute in hopes of cultivating leaders who will one day put their knowledge to use in society.Facilitated by Bernard LaFayette Jr., the director of the center, the program is geared for students who are "interested in helping to change the world," he said.

The program's focus is on nonviolent conflict reconciliation. Participants will be introduced to principles of nonviolence and exposed to practices in its promotion. In addition, the program will assess and challenge growth personally and within a community.

"Participants will be asked to consider a force more powerful - the active, moral force of nonviolence," LaFayette said.

The program begins with a philosophical approach toward nonviolence.

"We draw from Gandhi, thinkers of the past, Martin Luther King," LaFayette said.

It concludes with ideas for mobilizing peace.

The institute offers two levels of training. Students who complete both levels will be certified trainers in nonviolence, as they have acquired the skills necessary to pass on King's principles to their local communities, with the ability to reconstruct where violence has been commonplace.

The internationally known program has drawn students from all over the world since 1999.

"At the university we've had a number of students finish their Ph.D.s with a focus in nonviolence," LaFayette said.

Nonviolence teachings are applicable in everything from personal relationships to social movements, with an emphasis on justice for all.

LaFayette is an activist for the civil rights movement, a minister and an authority on the strategy for nonviolent social change.

He worked closely with King earlier in his career. LaFayette described the time spent with him as too powerful for words.

"The last thing he told me was that the next effort would be to institutionalize and internationalize nonviolence. Four hours later he was assassinated," LaFayette said.

King was instrumental in inspiring LaFayette.

"What I was able to acquire in skills was an opportunity to make a social movement for change under his leadership," LaFayette said.

LaFayette said people turn to violence because they cannot find another way to express themselves.

"In efforts to destroy someone else, they destroy themselves," LaFayette said. "All violence is suicidal."

The institute invites students to evaluate how violence has manifested in their own lives.

"People draw from experiences in the past and look upon reassessing them," LaFayette said.

A published author, LaFayette has lectured on nonviolence and peace in many countries.

He was appointed by Republican Gov. Donald Carcieri as chairman for the Rhode Island Select Commission on Race and Police-Community Relations and is the founder of the Association for Kingian Nonviolence, Education and Training Works.

Joining LaFayette in the program this summer will be Charles Alphin, retired captain of the St. Louis Police Department, and Rich Tarlaian, retired captain of the Providence Police Department.

The program is open to students in addition to clergy, social activists, counselors, teachers, athletic personnel and others with an interest in nonviolence.

Level I of the Summer Institute, which costs $600, will be conducted from July 8 to 21. Level II will be held July 15 to 21 and will cost $350.

Those interested in attending the institute should call 439-4912 or visit www.uri.edu/noviolence/si2007 for more information.