From our Subscribers Dear NvT When Groundswell was initiated in 1982, there was a feeling at the national nonviolence gathering that nonviolence was going to boom soon: a groundswell. The actual progress has been much slower and more difficult. Promoting a nonviolent world is a lifelong process that requires commitment and patience. In Australia, Groundswell/Nonviolence Today has been part of that process. Enormous commitment has been required to keep it going. The effort, in my opinion, is well spent. The magazine - its contents and its very existence - continues to inspire me. Brian Martin Dear NvT Congratulations on the 10th anniversary of NvT/Groundswell. What a sterling effort on the part of a small band of dedicated workers to keep production going for all that time... You demonstrate a rare quality I call "stickability" - many thanks from an appreciative reader. There's always more to learn about nonviolence which is best practised as a way of life, rather than merely as a political tool, effective though that may be. I enjoy being reminded of the philosophy, clarifying the principles and learning of groups and individuals in action. It's always encouraging to know that the power of small groups (or of one!) to challenge the status quo is being utilized, if not always successfully. I'm so glad that there seems to be a resurgence of interest in nonviolence training workshops around the country, urgently needed in the aftermath of deliberately provocative behaviors during anti-Gulf War demonstrations. One point of interest I've noted over the years is that direct actions on environmental issues are less likely to be sabotaged than those on war/militarism/international issues. I can guess at reasons for that, but am wondering if others have noticed this too? Jo Vallentine Dear NvT NvT's most important role has been as a focus for the nonviolent movement in Australia to centre on its evolution in an Australian context, rather than having to digest international material that dwells on experiences almost totally in Europe, North America and India. The key is that it is an evolving experience and therefore a regular publication which can follow ideas and developments over a period of time; no mean feat in a part of the world which sees the almost monotonous rise and fall of alternative publications, including in recent years Peace Magazine Australia and New Zealand's Peacelink. As for the future direction of the movement, there are two main problems beyond the usual one of too few people scattered over too large a land area * danger of isolating theory from action * the hostility nonviolent action (NvA) faces from certain cadres dedicated to exhibiting their own rage with the system by being equally violent while maintaining that they are not being violent = the other side is at fault, not them. In a country like Australia, protest can only be effective through NvA on both pragmatic and ethical/social grounds. We need to promote NvA through more people giving time to running workshops for a part of their life as full time activists; constant evaluation; applying NvA to campaigns in Australia; ongoing networking; writing regional case studies so that we perceive NvA as an Australian / Pacific experience too, maintaining international networks and intervisitation, and training. In this context, NvT fulfils a vital role in news, theory and networking. Here's to the next decade... Peter D. Jones Dear NvT Congratulations on the tenth birthday of NvT! I always like to view nonviolence in the context of present day social and political struggles. Nonviolence Today with its critical examination of theory and practise has helped me evaluate the effectiveness of various nonviolent campaigning methods. The magazine served a vital role in this respect at a time when governments and indeed many in the social change movements remain committed to violent means of conflict resolution. I fervently believe that Martin Luther-King's quote, "The choice is between nonviolence and non-existence" is more relevant now than ever. Despite the receding nuclear threat, no continent is currently free of massive violent conflict including our own (e.g. Bougainville). The ecological and resource crises at the root of these conflicts cry out for nonviolent, win-win solutions. Nonviolence Today points the way. Mark Taylor Dear NvT Well done Groundswell/NvT. To achieve a solid ten years of unbroken publication in this area means an untold story of dedication and massive energy inputs from (I'm sure) too few people. For me the arrival of NvT always signals a time when my outlook is going to pull back more to the centre of process and macro issues (patriarchy, for example) and away from the day to day issues of forest campaigning and how we are going to stop the magnificent forest giants of Tasmania being turned into woodchip-rubbish. My contact and understanding of nonviolent action and theory began before the Franklin campaign more than ten years ago, but I'm pretty certain it would have withered on the vine without the refreshing vigour of Nonviolence Today. Jack Lomax Dear NvT ... I feel that the nonviolence movement needs to broaden its focus beyond "training", "actions", and even "politics". Of course this is easy to say and very hard to do, given all the constraints that we have to operate within. I certainly congratulate the editors of NvT for their persistence and energy in continuing with the magazine over all these years and trying to present as best they can the breadth of nonviolence. Although I have tended to wish otherwise, it is clear that social and political change do not happen quickly. Although there are the short momentous events now and then, these always seem to have long gestation periods of struggle by large numbers of unrecognised and ordinary people. Although it is easy to get discouraged, we have to maintain our enthusiasm for years, even decades to achieve the change we desire. In this regard the team behind NvT has been an inspiration in their efforts to continue to promote nonviolence despite all the adversities of modern life. I hope that it will still be around in another ten years. Gordon McAllister Note: We plan to publish the full text of Gordon's letter in a future issue.