SPEAKING OF VIOLENCE: Mapping The Terrain

WEBINAR I Speaking of Violence: Mapping the Terrain
Date: 29 January 2025
We introduce the series with a first webinar exploring different categories of collective violence and examining the roots and manifestations of this, and how these are understood and experienced by social movements.

Social justice movements worldwide navigate a complex terrain, facing multiple forms of violence; from war to oppression, surveillance to discrimination and beyond. How do people organise and resist in such realities? How can they succeed?

This six-part webinar series invites activists, scholars, policymakers, and the public to explore the complex roots, manifestations and dynamics of violence, and the transformative role of social movements in acheiving justice and building peace.

Strategic and sustained non-violent action has proven to be one of the most powerful tools for confronting state and institutional violence and addressing the underlying conditions that fuel conflict and oppression. Understanding the conditions that often lead to violence, and the many forms in which it manifests can help us to de-escalate and dismantle.

Each webinar will deliberate on the roots and manifestations of violence, and the strategic approaches that movements employ to resist and organize. Through the course of these deliberations, we aim to explore the practical and strategic dimensions of non-violent action, learn how to support and amplify these efforts, fostering broader solidarity and systemic transformation towards more just and peaceful societies.

Read more about other upcoming webinars below!

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WEBINAR II In Another’s Land: War and Militarization
Date: 5 February 2025
Exploring dynamics of war, militarization and the influence of private companies and business interests in contemporary geopolitics; how it impacts world peace and how nonviolent movements organise in the midst of war.

WEBINAR III The Violent State: Dealing with Repression
Date: 19 February 2025
Looking at the nature and mechanisms of state violence . What role do social movements play in confronting it? and how can they be supported in their efforts to combat state oppression.

WEBINAR IV Uncivil Society: Ending Violence in People vs. People Conflicts
Date: 5 March 2025
This webinar explores the concept of "uncivil society"—forces within communities that disrupt harmony and democracy. We’ll discuss civil conflict, majoritarianism, and how social movements navigate and respond to these challenges.

WEBINAR V The Peaceful Play of People’s Power: Violence, Nonviolence, and Social Change
Date: 19 March 2025
Non-violent resistance has proved to be the most effective way to confront and change unequal power structures. However, the meaning and limits of violence itself is contested. In this webinar, we will deepen our understanding of strategic non-violent action and civilian based defense structures for social movements.

WEBINAR VI Towards a People’s Peace: Pathways to a Just and Peaceful World
Date: 9 April 2025
Location: Global People Power Conference, Copenhagen
We conclude the series by bringing the various threads together in order to map out the contours of a contemporary global peace movement; promising approaches an how people’s movements can be supported to create just and inclusive peace.

The Social Movement Webinar Series is hosted by MOVE: The Global Social Movement Centre, a collaboration between ActionAid Nigeria, MS TCDC, Tanzania, ActionAid Denmark and ActionAid Association, India.