Upgrading Our Skills

At the National Gathering we held a short discussion about the issues around
teaching nonviolence workshops.  We discussed two possible models for
increasing our skills, knowledge and effectiveness as nonviolence teachers. 
The first model is the traditional teacher-student model where we learn
additional skills in a "trainers training" situation.  We felt, however,
extremely uncomfortable with the term "trainer".  The second model is people
who are already teaching or wanting to teach getting together in peer based
discussion groups or workshops and sharing experience.  There is also the
'apprenticeship' model currently used by the Melbourne Network.

We agreed that ALL these models were useful and important if we really wanted
to move forward.  And we agreed to explore the possibilities for finding
funding for a ten day course.

There were concerns raised that in order to take ourselves seriously as a
network, we need to ensure that nonviolence workshops don't get "watered
down" through lack of skilled and experienced teacher/facilitators. 
Teacher/facilitators need a balance of practical activist experience,
theoretical understanding and facilitation skill.  Because of time and
campaign pressure "trainers' trainings" in the past have meant an automatic
license to teach.  To some extent this has led to some misconceptions about
nonviolence that exist in the social change movements.

There was much joking about an "accreditation" system.  We haven't yet
decided to set up the "Australian Nonviolence Institute" but the point was
well made. 
Margaret Pestorius