| Posted: April 29 2005,20:53 |
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PROGRESS: Has your organization seen
progress toward a culture of peace and nonviolence in your domain of
action and in your constituency during the first half of the Decade? |
The
Hampton Roads Network for Nonviolence(HRNN) was established in 2000.
The original and a continuing purpose for HRNN is to celebrate
the Season for Nonviolence, January 30th to April 4th, the
assassination dates for Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
HRNN has evolved over the years and participates and/or supports
several additional programs including The Earth Charter USA Campaign,
the Nonviolent Peaceforce, Virginians for Alternatives to the Death
Penalty, the People United, Virginia Organizing Project, nonviolence
workshop training and Peace Pole planting across Hampton Roads.
HRNN Vision
Every
individual, family and community organization will become aware of the
interconnectedness of all life and begin to work to value and respect
others to create a nonviolent world.
HRNN Mission
To promote peace and nonviolence among all people and among all factions within and outside of Hampton Roads.
Our
progress can be measured in the number of groups and organizations that
joined and the number of events that were sponsored to promote
nonviolence.
HRNN includes in its membership representatives
from the following groups: Asian Indians of Hampton Roads, Barry
Robinson Center, Campus Kaleidoscope at Virginia Wesleyan College,
Center for Child and Family Services, Family Counseling Center in
Virginia Beach, Holy Spirit Parish in Virginia Beach, Human Rights
Commission of Virginia Beach, Jewish Community Center, Office of
Justice and Peace (Diocese of Richmond), PeaceKeepers, Inc., Pembroke
Pastoral Counseling, Playback Theater, Season for Nonviolence Club at
Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, St. Nicholas in Virginia
Beach, St. Pious in Norfolk, Soka Gakkai International (Buddhist
Movement), Tidewater Sowers of Justice, Tidewater Zen Group, Unitarian
Church of Norfolk, Urban League of Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach
Friends Meeting (Quakers), Virginia Beach Social Services, Voices that
Challenge, Ymedia (Virginians against Handgun Violence).
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OBSTACLES: What are the most important obstacles that have prevented progress?
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These
are mostly in regard to finances and human resources. Even though
the members of all these organizations are sincere, time is limited by
professional duties, family commitments, and the many worthwhile
projects being undertaken.
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ACTIONS: What actions have been
undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence during the first half of the Decade?
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Since
the year 2000 HRNN has held yearly opening ceremonies for the Season
for Nonviolence on January 30th at Mount Trashmore, a city park in
Virginia Beach. Concluding ceremonies April 4th were held at the Martin
Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Norfolk. On several occasions Peace
Poles were set up, sponsored by Voices that Challenge. Yearly
youth leadership conferences for nonviolence took place at various
local high schools. Proclamations for the Season for Nonviolence
were issued by Governor Mark Warner of the Commonwealth of Virginia and
by the mayors of Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
The Season for
Nonviolence Club at Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach was
founded in the fall of 2000. The students taught the" Pledge of
Nonviolence" weekly in various afternoon school activities. In February
2004 the Club won an award from the Human Rights Commission of the City
of Virginia Beach for the development, advocacy and promotion of human
rights program in the community.
On March 15, 2001, a workshop
was given by James and Kathleen McGinniss entitled: Creating Circles of
Peace: Exploring alternatives to violence in Hampton Roads, Youth as
advocates and mentors for Nonviolence, and Peaceable families practical
tools. James and Kathleen McGinnis founded the Institute for
Peace and Justice at St. Louis University; creating the Pledge of
Nonviolence for children, youth, families, congregations, schools, and
classes. They developed extensive lesson plans for several age groups
to teach these pledges.
A workshop on nonviolence training took
place at the Sacred Heart Church in Norfolk. The week of October
25, 2001 the YWCA sponsored a local National Week without Violence.
In March the Church of the Holy Family in Virginia Beach led a
discussion on Globalization: Militarism.
Four events were held
in March 2003: The Ymedia Club hosted the Talent Show "Clean up your
act" at Maury High School in Norfolk; the proceeds benefited child
victims of gun violence. At Virginia Wesleyan College the Campus
Kaleidoscope and the Sigma Tau Delta clubs presented: "A Celebration of
Nonviolent Voices." "Satyagraha: Soul Force, The Wisdom of Gandhi
Series took place at the Contemporary Art Center in Virginia Beach.
Many youngsters at Virginia Wesleyan enjoyed a Pizza and Poster
Party to prepare for the April 4th walk for nonviolence.
In the
year 2004, a "Victory over Violence" workshop was sponsored by the
Buddhists: SGI-USA at their Center in Norfolk. On August 23 HRNN
celebrated the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr’s historic
speech, "I have a dream!" at his Memorial in Norfolk.
In 2005
HRNN once again held opening and closing ceremonies for the Season for
Nonviolence. On May 7th will be the third annual Mothers' Day
Rally for Peace at Lafayette Park in Norfolk. The first "Earth
Week Gaiafest" was celebrated by the Tidewater Gaia Circle, an
organization to promote humanity's inseparable relationship with the
living Earth. HRNN has established a library corner at the YWCA
in Norfolk as a resource center with materials to enhance understanding
of Gandhi’s and King’s ideals.
In 2003 HRNN established its website:
http://www.hamptonroadsnetworkfornonviolence.org
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ADVICE: What advice would you like to
give to the Secretary-General and the General Assembly to promote a
culture of peace and nonviolence during the second half of the Decade? |
Establish the Season for Nonviolence on all five continents and in every community.
Also:
1-Offer more tangible support (i.e., money, professional assistance, etc.) to grass roots organizations.
2-Celebrate peaceful conflict resolutions more broadly.
3-Work to make 'good news' more prevalent in the media.
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PARTNERSHIPS: What partnerships and
networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the
global movement for a culture of peace? |
Asian
Indians of Hampton Roads, Barry Robinson Center, Campus Kaleidoscope at
Virginia Wesleyan College, Center for Child and Family Services, Family
Counseling Center in Virginia Beach, Holy Spirit Parish in Virginia
Beach, Human Rights Commission of Virginia Beach, Jewish Community
Center, Office of Justice and Peace (Diocese of Richmond),
PeaceKeepers, Inc., Pembroke Pastoral Counseling, Playback Theater,
Season for Nonviolence Club at Princess Anne High School in Virginia
Beach, St. Nicholas in Virginia Beach, St. Pious in Norfolk, Soka
Gakkai International (Buddhist Movement), Tidewater Sowers of Justice,
Tidewater Zen Group, Urban League of Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach
Friends Meeting (Quakers), Virginia Beach Social Services, Voices that
Challenge, Ymedia (Virginians against Handgun Violence).
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PLANS: What new engagements are
planned by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence in the second half of the Decade (2005-2010)? |
Increase
awareness for the Season for Nonviolence and encourage participation by
organizations, churches, schools and work places in celebrating the
Season and in following its ideals, as given by example from Mahatma
Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
From dialog surrounding
HRNN’s participation in the World Report On The Culture of Peace at our
last monthly meeting, HRNN made a decision to begin to develop a five
year plan for our organization. We will begin this work at our
next meeting in May.
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Postal address of organization
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Hampton Roads Network for Nonviolence
c/o Whitney Peace
227 78th Street
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
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E-mail address of organization
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whitpeace@cox.net
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Website address of organization
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http://www.hamptonroadsnetworkfornonviolence.org
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Highest priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Educaion for a culture of peace
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Second priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Understanding, tolerance, solidarity
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Highest priority country of action (or international)
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we're a local group focusing our efforts within the seven cities that comprise Hampton Roads, Virginia
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Second priority country of action (or international)
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