Nonviolence requires a spirit that comes from within which no curriculum can create or implant. The authors describe how the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) organizes experiences to draw forth that spirit and how doing so builds supportive community.

This wonderful pamphlet offers a clear and thorough explanation of why community is often cited as one aspect of the fundamental testimony of Quakers. It spells out what community is, and its relationship to nonviolence and the promises of respect and care for everyone. This is illustrated by how an Alternatives to Violence (AVP) workshop creates community, through affirmation, communication, cooperation, laughter and fun, and conflict resolution. Community lies at the heart of a nonviolent way of life, and the community created by AVP is used to explore violence, the creative and spiritual Transforming Power that can shift a violent situation, and ways and skills of alternatives to violence. This pamphlet is of use to anyone interested in building community. ( )

PHP #322