1994 Nonviolence Gathering

The Australian Nonviolence Network (ANN) gathering this year was an
extravagant affair.  People flocked from across the globe, singing songs of
revolution.  Spontaneously they spoke, they wept, they came up with solutions
to the world's problems - they had strategies to overcome poverty, war and
avarice...and in the afternoon they concluded with a nice cup of tea.

Well, that's not quite as it happened, but this year was no different to any
other, in that we started with an enormously optimistic agenda, we pounced
into action on Friday night and by Monday morning we got beyond the mundane,
the making of plans to get things done by such and such a date, to dealing
with principles and how it is we come together.  Given that nonviolence isn't
'just what you do on weekends', for any of us looking at our common
principles is essentially about  looking at ourselves and where we are in the
world. This was quite a difficult session to work our way through. 
Bernadette is writing a separate article [not received yet, eds] on this so I
will only touch on it in this article where needed for context.

I intend to attempt to give a general, but personal account of the Gathering,
including any agreements made as a group.  This was my third Australian
Nonviolence Network Gathering and it was exciting to see that we continue to
consolidate our links and the range of activities in which people are
involved, and the number of people involved in the network continues to grow.
Early on in the Gathering we compiled a map of activities creatively scribed
and illustrated by Rowan of what was happening which included everything from
research to constructive programmes to direct action. 

It was great to spend time once again at Commonground with such inspiring
company.  This year the gathering included people from Victoria, Tasmania,
Brisbane, North Queensland, New South Wales and Adelaide. 

An exciting realisation of last years gathering is the evolution of the
Centre for Nonviolence and the Facilitation Collective who have facilitated
it happening, which has included lots of hard work over the last twelve
months.  They are hence forth to be known as the FROG, but at the time of
writing I just can't remember the connection between the acronym and the
reality.

How the Gathering was organised.
The facilitation collective had organised the event very effectively.  Some
things were different  from last  year.  People could attend the gathering as
meeting participants or in support roles which mainly meant doing the
catering and childcare.  Although this made things smoother for people
involved in the meetings, the feedback from those in the support role was
that they didn't feel part of the gathering particularly given that there
were sessions happening morning noon and night.  There were as many people
involved in support roles as there were attending meeting times, all of whom
are part of the network.  This needs to be considered further with next
year's planning.  Although the evening sessions were open, there was little
time for general interactions, or catch ups on what had happened during the
day.  There was an expectation that people who participated in the meeting
time would be there for all of it, and that certainly assisted greatly in the
flow of the agenda and getting things done.

In an attempt to attend to the need to 'gather' socially, as well as for
business, following on from a decision made last year there were social days
at the beginning and end of the gathering.  I stayed around for Tuesday and
it was great to just hang about, lurk around by the dam and generally have a
good time.  Unfortunately, not everyone had time to stick around for this
time as the highways called people back...

The other decision made at last year's gathering was that it would be
essentially for people who were already linked into the network as it was a
place for making decisions about where and how the Network is heading.  From
the discussion which emerged around planning for next year's gathering it
seems that there is still more to be said regarding concerns that this may
limit the openness of the network.  This seems to recall the still to be
resolved principles and purpose of the network

So what was it that was talked about and decided on?
As I've already mentioned this was an action, talk and listen affair with an
ambitious but realistic agenda given what's been happening around the
network.  During the course of the gathering we discussed and made decisions
around 'burning issues'.  We discussed these and made recommendations in
small groups and then these were taken back to the whole group for agreement.
I've included who and from where people that were involved in the small group
discussions in case you wish to know how the discussion went regarding that
particular issue.

I've included a longer discussion about 'Representation at National
Gatherings', because it turned out to be particularly controversial, and as I
was part of the small group working on recommendations thought it worth
outlining the issues more fully whilst I am putting pen to paper.

The Ten(?) 'Burning Issues'
1. International Visitors. (Kay-Melb,  Brian-Woollongong, Rob-Melb)
2.Incorporation/Tax Deductibility for the Australian Nonviolence Network -
Yes or No. (Ed-C'ground, Greg-Adelaide, Biff-Adelaide)
3. Representation at National Gatherings. (Sue,Brendan-Melb, John-Melb but
recently moved from WA)
4. Global Nonviolence Network. (Margaret-Melb/Nth.Qld, Greg, Deb-Adelaide,
Norman-Melb)
5. Reaching out to Darwin, Alice and Sydney. (Anthony-Gippsland,
Tom-Brisbane, Louise-NSW)
6. Activist Exchange Programme. (James-NSW, Bernadette-Melb)
7. Phone Link Up. (Jacinta-Adelaide, Jo-Daylesford, Jack-Tas)
8. Network Education and Skill sharing. (Anita, Karen-Melb, Kevin-Nth.Qld,
Glen-C'ground)
9. Structure/Processes for Centre for Nonviolence to support other places.
10. Culture. (Mary, Col-Adelaide, Mark, Rowan-Melb)
11. Database. (Kay-Melb, Brian-Wollongong)

1. International Visitors (adopted)
This decision was particularly pertinent as there has been money made
available to ANN specifically for supporting an overseas visitor.
It was decided that visitors invited by ANN should be chosen with regard to
achieving a balance in terms of age, ethnicity, sex, type and degree of
experience, with a strong preference for grassroots activists, with an
important criterion being no major communication  problems, (e.g. it would be
difficult if visitor didn't speak English and there was no interpreter
available).

Visitors who pay their own way: a member of the Nonviolence Facilitation
Collective (FROG), in consultation with relevant bioregional key contact
people will decide on a case by case basis what resources to devote to the
visit.

2. Incorporation/Tax Deductibility (for further discussion & investigation)
There was no decision made but some recommendations for further action to
explore the implications of incorporation and/or tax deductibility status. 
Ed is writing an article for Nonviolence Today outlining the issues. [not
received yet, eds]
Recommendations: Sit/discuss for twelve months through forums such as the
Phone Link Up and Nonviolence Today.  Ed is to get more information by
contacting the IAC. [the what? Eds.]

3. Representation at National Gathering (work in progress)
Role of the Gathering: a) to connect with other NV activists and theorists. 
b) give direction to the Australian Nonviolence Network.   c) define and more
effectively develop the ANN.  d) define tasks for year to come.

It was decided that next year the gathering would have a similar format and
attendance, with invitation being extended to all those who are actively
involved or intend to be involved in the ANN.  To actively seek more
participation from interstate and to continue to encourage participation of
those who don't attend.

One of the issues arising is that the Gathering will become too large to be
able to operate as it is currently, i.e every one being able to sit in one
circle to discuss issues of concern, and that we may need to look at other
ways of making decisions.  Also that over time there may not need to be the
same number of decisions to be made once we have established the ANN on a
firm footing.  This is particularly so in that the general feeling is that we
are developing a network, to link groups and individuals not a policy and
planning group for our activism (these are more my own observations of this
debate which needs to be raised and discussed during the year and at next
year's gathering as there was the beginnings of quite heated debate regarding
participation).

In 1996 one possibility is to separate the 'gathering' of activists from a
meeting regarding organisational issues.  Our small group made the proposal
that it would look a bit like:
1. National Gathering '96 to meet current role (a) of connecting with other
NV activists and theorists and effectively develop ANN and NV skills with
workshops, talks, discussions and speakers about NV education, conflict
resolution, issues, personal empowerment, strategy, community alternatives
and so the list goes on.  The reality being that not everyone wants to commit
time to organisational issues of the Network, but at this stage the Gathering
is the only time we meet as a group.
2. ANN Meeting maybe consecutively, but not concurrently, with the national
gathering to facilitate b), c), & d).  It was thought that numbers of around
thirty-five are more realistic with participation by the facilitation
collective, with spread of attendance across bioregions and affinity groups
where they exist.  There would need to be effective canvassing of issues from
all groups and individuals before the ANN meeting.
3. Development of bioregional gatherings to facilitate a), b), c) &  d), and
locally to feed into National Meeting of ANN.

There certainly wasn't consensus on this issue.  There's obviously
possibilities for combinations and permutations of this mix of gathering and
meeting which needs further discussion.  My sense is that we need to clarify
what sort of decisions we need to make as a network and how we make them.  At
this year's gathering one of the agreements was around trust.  My feeling is
that in working as a network, we need to let go and trust others' judgment
enough to let smaller groups make some decisions for the network, knowing
that they will do this on their understanding of the general good of the
network.  These decisions would be based on issues discussed and decided upon
at various previous gatherings, or by canvassing views through the network,
using a 'roving consensus' (based on the famous Commonground model). There
are other decisions which are fundamental to the development of the network
in which everyone needs to be given ample opportunity to participate and
consensus reached, e.g. the development of principles.  If you have ideas on
this contact the Facilitation Collective.

4. Global Nonviolence Network (adopted)
It was agreed that:
1. The main priority should be on building networks locally, making sure that
we utilise the opportunities to link up with what is happening, but which
incurs no expense.  No resources to be put into sending people overseas in
the next year, later decisions to be based on nature of conference/event,
needs for networking and ability to react in time.
2. ANN will join International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), which is
a long process.
3. War Resisters International (WRI) - No formal affiliation to be pursued at
this stage however, maintain existing informal links and encourage awareness
locally of its existence.
4. Peace Brigades International (PBI) - Think about how we support PBI to
establish itself in Australia since ANN is not in a position to set up
network.
5. Third World Activists - support should be focussed on Pacific and Asia as
a priority.
Margaret in Melbourne and Deb in Adelaide are following up on these if you
want more information.

5. Developing Contacts in Sydney, Darwin, Alice and other regions (adopted)
* Begin with personal contacts by asking people already involved in
nonviolence, and by offering and assisting interested people the means of
further developing their understanding and use of nonviolence e.g., workshops
and activist exchange.
* What is the contact person's role - acceptance of ANN principles,
facilitating networking and offering nonviolent (ANN) resources, workshops
and database, in bioregion, and reporting from the bioregion: needs etc., to
the network via phone link up and Centre for Nonviolence, distributing
information about ANN.
* encourage subscriptions and readers of NvT and other social change mags.
* finding ways of actively involving new people in ANN including phone
link-up, activist exchange, invite to gatherings, key contact person in
facilitation collective, workshops, exchange information and migration from
Melbourne!!!
* finding ANN contacts within large institutions, i.e. grassroots people.
Margaret is on her way north and Anthony Kelly who is now down in Goongerah
is working on some guidelines for encouraging contacts.

6. Activist Exchange (adopted)
We will have an activist exchange programme.
Mission Statement: Activist exchange is one option for gluing the network
together.  In meeting the responsibility for network maintenance, an activist
may choose to sponsor an exchange to or from or choose to go somewhere off
their own bat.  Enjoy and learn. 
If you would like to find out more or organise an activist exchange James,
Louise in NSW and Bern in Melb., are the people to talk to if you want to go
somewhere or you have something to offer at your place.

7. Phone Link-Up (to be finalised but adopted in trust)
Aim:  To exchange information and inspiration between bioregions in order to
build a strong network with a unity of purpose.  Jo in Daylesord, Jacinta in
Adelaide and Jack in Tassie are writing up a policy which will be circulated
to current phonees and they will also publish information in Nonviolence
Today.

8. Education and Skill Development in Network (adopted)
Identified skills needed for network were - welcoming, inclusion processes,
group facilitation, emotional preparation for actions and debriefings, group
conflict resolution, strategic planning/campaigning, forming and maintaining
affinity groups.  In addition individuals have a range of skills of their
own.
Objectives: Each person is encouraged to develop a clear picture of their
learning needs and undertake at least two ways of addressing these.  Each
region is encouraged to make a map of the skills they possess and those
needed and undertake one method of sharing skills.  Anita, Karen and Glen are
working on getting the policy talked and known about.

9. Structure/processes for Centre for Nonviolence at Commonground to support
other places (adopted)
How can you help the Centre for Nonviolence be more effective?
There was a call for everyone to make a commitment to swapping info and
resources, sending the database interstate, cataloguing of resources to
increase accessibility, sending workshop outlines/kits to centre to share
ideas, making a commitment to work in the Centre, provide money for workers
and day to day running of the centre and distribute information on the centre
to other groups.  Call the Centre for Nonviolence at Commonground, to let
them know what you are able to do.  The other issue is that over time it is
to be hoped that there will be other Centres for Nonviolence in other
bioregions.
Finances: A variety of ideas came up, both old and new - T shirts, pay in
bank account, set up campus Nv groups/clubs, ask unions, etc., for pledges,
benefit night, techno dance party!?, find one friend to pledge, user pays for
library use, wills, charge organisations for our skills, stickers...all we
need to do is make it happen. 
P.S. Deb and Anita are going to put together a schools' education kit, so if
you're interested let them know.

10. Culture Policy (for further discussion)
No policy was able to be developed, but interest expressed and the
acknowledgment that we do have a culture of sorts.  There was quite a bit of
enthusiasm expressed for Mary to come to Melbourne to run some singing
workshops.  Talk to Anita in Melbourne and Mary in Adelaide about developing
culture.

11. Database (adopted)
This is the list of names, skills, interests and resources which Kay in
particular has been working on at the Centre for Nonviolence at Commonground.
It was decided that information provided for the data base is available to
any member of ANN and nonviolence organisations globally.  People will be
informed of this when they complete the data base form.  It was also decided
that information in the mailing list is only to be used by ANN,  as there was
concern about getting yet more catalogues in the mail!!!

Other things on the agenda were the existence of nonviolent radio programmes.
It's happening on the north coast of New South Wales with 2 BOB and James and
Louise, and in Melbourne, Bern is involved in a 'Pay the Rent' radio show on
3CR, (on Wednesday, 10am if you're in Melb). There was a lot of discussion
about accessing radio and developing up networks of shows, swapping tapes,
etc., if you're interested in getting a programme going in your area and want
to know about resources contact James, Louise or Bern.

The other mood afloat is that of the great nonviolent holiday, no it's not a
salt march, but if you're interested in having a good time... see or ring Ed
and Bern.

Well, that is a summary of some of what was said and decided upon at the
Gathering '94.  The issue of developing principles for the Network once again
didn't make it to completion, but the process continues.  Rob and Glen have
taken away the rather onerous task of once again rewriting principles and
purpose, and circulating before the gathering next year.  If you have any
ideas I'm sure they would love to hear from you.
 
The Gathering this year was the basis for not only getting together for
mutual inspiration, but as a springboard for action, for building the network
and bringing about nonviolent social change, (for the better!).  I hope this
article has given people who weren't able to make it to the gathering some
ideas of where to start with things you want to see happen in the Network.
Sue Casey