AN INVITATION TO JOIN
Today, the world is facing a multitude of overlapping and mutually reinforcing crises – an increase in militarization, new wars and violent conflicts, the continuation of long-standing disputes, the climate crisis, growing social and economic inequalities, and increasing authoritarianism. These developments go hand in hand with the legitimisation of violence and violent means of conflict resolution by political leaders. Societies and communities subjected to colonial violence and coercion are particularly affected.
We understand violence in a broad sense, not limited to physical violence but rather including systemic, cultural, economic, psychological, sexual, and gender-based violence, and racist and religious violence. Active nonviolence, on the other hand, is to be understood as a concrete practice, political strategy, and personal attitude of resistance against injustice based in the principle of nonviolence.
In this context, we recognize the need to strengthen awareness, practice, and strategic development of active nonviolence to challenge and oppose the growing international wave of violence. Therefore, we are planning a world gathering dedicated to Active Nonviolence in Berlin in Autumn 2027* to promote nonviolent action.
We invite you and/or your organization to support the gathering through sponsorship, financial/labour support, (co-)organization of events and activities, and promotion. Ideally, we would like to co-create the event with you so that it can become a joint project not tied to any single organization or network, but open to all who support active nonviolence. The aim is to jointly create spaces for exchange, learning, visibility, and strategic cooperation. We are aware of the limited capacities and busy schedules of all, but hope that you consider this a worthwhile endeavour.
We would like to invite you to a Zoom meeting on May 10, 2026, where we will (1) present what has been done so far, (2) share what we envision for next steps and collaboration/co-creation; and (3) give space for questions, comments and feedback. Zoom ID: 83079547092 (times in the invitation above)
All are welcome to join. If you have questions or comments, please contact Luz Jahnen (luzgerm@yahoo.de), Reto Thumiger (rthumiger@gmx.net), or Sean Conner (sean.conner@ipb.org), Sean, Luz, & Reto (on behalf of the International Peace Bureau and Pressenza). Contact for Asia is Decler at OzPeace@proton.me
*Proposed dates for the Berlin 2027 World Meeting for Active Nonviolence are 27 September to 3 October 2027 (2 October is the International Day of Non-Violence/birthday of Mahatma Gandhi)
