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Summary of Conference Evaluations

The “Celebrating Nonviolent Resistance” conference, held December 27- 30, 2005 in Bethlehem, Palestine, received positive feedback along with numerous suggestions on how to improve a future conference. Participants found the speakers to be excellent and the information extensive. Almost all participants gained some knowledge about the Palestinian nonviolence movements, particularly against the Wall, with some even unaware that nonviolence work was occurring among Palestinians before the conference. Many also noted learning about the concept of principled versus pragmatic nonviolence.

There was a tension between whether this was actually an international nonviolence conference, or whether it was a Palestine nonviolence conference. A couple participants complained that a presenter on the Tibetan occupation, for instance, wasn’t given enough speaking time and that all the activists from other movements were seen as providing lessons for the Palestinian movement alone. They felt the conference should have been named differently. On the other hand, some insisted that the next conference also be held in Palestine (a plurality of 8 out of 30) and suggested that grassroots organizations in Palestine be included.

Among those who did not suggest Palestine, 3 each suggested Israel, India, and Tibet, with some proposals of African and Eastern European countries. Many simply answered “anywhere nonviolent resistance and occupation is occurring” to the question of where the next conference should be held. As to who should be included, there was positive feedback on the inclusion of youth, and requests for more workshops led by young people. Some wanted an Israeli presenter, and more Israelis to be involved. There was also a demand for more female presenters and information on women’s movements in Palestine. Additionally, mental health professionals dealing with trauma healing were requested as being an important subgroup to include. Others suggested broadening the scope of people involved by inviting government representatives along with more radical voices. One critique was the heavily North American presence, with fewer people from the Global South attending.

As to the content, people liked hearing about daily resistance like practitioners from Budrus, and there was a demand for more focus on practice and concrete actions than theories of nonviolence. Some wanted a broader connection of nonviolent struggle to capitalist globalization, women, and the environment. A popular topic was the media’s role, and one person recommended inviting journalists and the heads of NGOs to the next conference. Another even proposed broadcasting the conference on international television to gain wider exposure. Others shared the enthusiasm to make the conference more public, though one participant was uncomfortable with the video cameras already.

Nevertheless, a good deal of energy and enthusiasm is represented in these feedback forms, as there were many proposals for internationals to continue to support the Palestinian nonviolence movements, including sharing their stories in home countries, contacting local media, mass coordinated actions at Israeli Embassies, divestment, and pressuring EU and US governments. Not many were very specific, but one recommended a follow-up committee to continue keeping participants in touch – both with each other and with actions by Palestinians on the ground, or providing a central ongoing website.

Logistically, conference staff and volunteers were generally praised for their organization. Next time the Conference organizers should provide name tags for speakers, improved audio translation, and more discipline around cell phones and keeping on schedule (“don’t let 15-minute breaks become half-hour breaks”). Adding another day to the conference was suggested both so that participants could attend more workshops, and to provide a day for participating in a direct action. Finally, multiple people complained about the coldness of the venue.

--
Michael Beer
Director
Nonviolence International
+1 202 244 0951
www.nonviolenceinternational.net <http://www.nonviolenceinternational.net>

“Have you ever wondered why we (women) are not in armed combat against you? It’s not because there’s a shortage of kitchen knives…It is because we believe in your (men’s) humanity, against all the evidence.” Andrea Dworkin

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		Dear CNR Conference participants, Here is a summary of the evaluation forms that were handed in. If you didn't know...the conference was a huge success. Summary of Conference Evaluations The “Celebrating Nonviolent Resistance” conference, held December 27- 30, 2005 in Bethlehem, Palestine, received positive feedback along with numerous suggestions on how to improve a future conference. Participants found the speakers to be excellent and the information extensive. Almost all participants gained some knowledge about the Palestinian nonviolence movements, particularly against the Wall, with some even unaware that nonviolence work was occurring among Palestinians before the conference. Many also noted learning about the concept of principled versus pragmatic nonviolence. There was a tension between whether this was actually an international nonviolence conference, or whether it was a Palestine nonviolence conference. A couple participants complained that a presenter on the Tibetan occupation, for instance, wasn’t given enough speaking time and that all the activists from other movements were seen as providing lessons for the Palestinian movement alone. They felt the conference should have been named differently. On the other hand, some insisted that the next conference also be held in Palestine (a plurality of 8 out of 30) and suggested that grassroots organizations in Palestine be included. Among those who did not suggest Palestine, 3 each suggested Israel, India, and Tibet, with some proposals of African and Eastern European countries. Many simply answered “anywhere nonviolent resistance and occupation is occurring” to the question of where the next conference should be held. As to who should be included, there was positive feedback on the inclusion of youth, and requests for more workshops led by young people. Some wanted an Israeli presenter, and more Israelis to be involved. There was also a demand for more female presenters and information on women’s movements in Palestine. Additionally, mental health professionals dealing with trauma healing were requested as being an important subgroup to include. Others suggested broadening the scope of people involved by inviting government representatives along with more radical voices. One critique was the heavily North American presence, with fewer people from the Global South attending. As to the content, people liked hearing about daily resistance like practitioners from Budrus, and there was a demand for more focus on practice and concrete actions than theories of nonviolence. Some wanted a broader connection of nonviolent struggle to capitalist globalization, women, and the environment. A popular topic was the media’s role, and one person recommended inviting journalists and the heads of NGOs to the next conference. Another even proposed broadcasting the conference on international television to gain wider exposure. Others shared the enthusiasm to make the conference more public, though one participant was uncomfortable with the video cameras already. Nevertheless, a good deal of energy and enthusiasm is represented in these feedback forms, as there were many proposals for internationals to continue to support the Palestinian nonviolence movements, including sharing their stories in home countries, contacting local media, mass coordinated actions at Israeli Embassies, divestment, and pressuring EU and US governments. Not many were very specific, but one recommended a follow-up committee to continue keeping participants in touch – both with each other and with actions by Palestinians on the ground, or providing a central ongoing website. Logistically, conference staff and volunteers were generally praised for their organization. Next time the Conference organizers should provide name tags for speakers, improved audio translation, and more discipline around cell phones and keeping on schedule (“don’t let 15-minute breaks become half-hour breaks”). Adding another day to the conference was suggested both so that participants could attend more workshops, and to provide a day for participating in a direct action. Finally, multiple people complained about the coldness of the venue. -- Michael Beer Director Nonviolence International +1 202 244 0951 www.nonviolenceinternational.net <http://www.nonviolenceinternational.net> “Have you ever wondered why we (women) are not in armed combat against you? It’s not because there’s a shortage of kitchen knives…It is because we believe in your (men’s) humanity, against all the evidence.” Andrea Dworkin TOP