1. READ AND DISCUSS BOOKS OR FILMS: Convene a group of people to study and discuss a book or film about the theory or practice of nonviolence or nonviolent social change. Proceed to study and discuss another, and another. EXAMPLES: Books or films about Gandhi, King, social change movements, liberation theology, grassroots community-building, etc.

2. REACH OUT TO BRING THE DECADE OF NONVIOLENCE TO ORGANIZATIONS AND SECTORS THROUGHOUT YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY: Plan an outreach campaign to bring speakers, discussions, action proposals, etc., to existing organizations (e.g., religious congregations, Kiwanis, League of Women Voters), existing community events (e.g., local summertime festivals, arts/crafts events, multi-ethnic festivals, county fairs), governmental units and agencies, media, schools, colleges, and various sectors of the community (e.g., small business, environmentalists, youth). Design outreach campaigns to inform them of the Decade of Peace and nonviolence and involve them in implementing it within their own constituencies and in the larger community.

3. CONVENE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON. EXPLORE HOW THEIR SECTOR OF SOCIETY COULD CONTRIBUTE TOWARD A CULTURE OF PEACE AND NONVIOLENCE: How could your sector of the community help to build a culture of peace and nonviolence? Recruit several persons (not necessarily peace activists) who have something in common (e.g., all with the same occupation or profession, all in the same demographic group, or all working on the same certain social or political concern) to meet to brainstorm and explore how they could build a culture of nonviolence, given what they have in common. They would not necessarily be obligating themselves to act on their ideas -- unless they voluntarily choose to do so. EXAMPLE: If four or five bus drivers were to meet, they could explore how bus drivers could promote peace and nonviolence. OTHER EXAMPLES: A group of teachers; or a group of small business owners; or a group of frequent bus riders; or a group of police officers; or a group of employees in the same workplace; or a group of people of the same racial or ethnic group, or a group of waiters/waitresses; or a group of firefighters; or a group of grandparents; or a group of feminists, or a group of environmentalists, or a group of middle school students. If a small group of any one of these were to convene, its members could generate creative ways they could promote peace and nonviolence in the context of their common role.

4. EXPLORE THE THEORIES TO GUIDE OUR PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES: Changing to a culture of peace and nonviolence would be a gigantic task. How does cultural change of such magnitude occur? If we deliberately choose to change to a culture of peace and nonviolence, how could we nudge it along more effectively, more thoroughly, and more quickly? We could convene a panel of experts in sociology, social change, etc., to discuss this. The audience discusses further through Q&A or in small groups. Each small group could focus on a different aspect of analysis or implementation.

5. UPROOT THE CAUSES OF VIOLENCE: Former Costa Rican president Rodrigo Carazo Odio says, "Violence is in large measure a result of culture. To reduce violence one must reduce all of the contributing causes." Let's hold one or more community-wide forums to bring people together to identify the various sources of violence. The forum could also identify one or a few sources of violence that we can ameliorate. The forum could lead to strategy and action.

6. COLLABORATE WITH YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER IN A READER-BASED FEATURE: Some newspapers occasionally invite readers to submit ideas or experiences on a certain topic, and then compiles them into a feature. We could propose such a feature focused on the Decade of Nonviolence and provide background information and other supplemental materials. (See our separate document fleshing out this proposal.)

7. teach Nonviolent Communication: The methodology taught be Marshall Rosenberg is gaining national and international respect as a very practical way for people to communicate in ways that avoid and resolve conflicts. Workshops and trainings are available in many places. Why not schedule some for your local community? Contact the Puget Sound Network for Compassionate Communication, PO Box 15353, Seattle WA 98115 (206) 382-8576 psncc@psncc.org www.psncc.org

8. HOLD EVENTS THAT SHOW BROAD COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS FOR EVERYONE AND BROAD COMMUNITY OPPOSITION TO hate violence: A community that goes on record as supporting full human rights and human dignity for all people helps to build a culture of mutual respect, nonviolence and peace. Community-wide events, local government resolutions, local media coverage, and face-to-face interactions all help!

9. do something at LOCAL EVENTS DESIGNED FOR Children: Urge kids to turn in violent toys (perhaps in exchange for nonviolent toys). Involve kids in participatory activities, such as the "Hands Are Not for Hurting" campaign, in which they commit themselves to the pledge, "I will not use my hands or my words for hurting others or myself." They also trace both of their hands onto paper, post one on the wall, and take the other with them to keep, along with a copy of the pledge.

10. Urge governments and community groups TO SUPPORT THE DECADE OF NONVIOLENCE by adopting Community Group Resolutions. (We have samples.) This offers great opportunities for outreach and networking with local governments and a wide variety of community groups.

11. Support OTHER EXISTING AND EMERGING CAMPAIGNS TO REDUCE AND ELIMINATE VIOLENCE AND PREJUDICE. For example, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In some communities men are organizing campaigns to urge men take responsibility for working to eliminate men's violence against women. (Men commit most of the acts, but women do most of the work to oppose it.) Support efforts such as the Safe Schools Coalition, which works to make schools safe for students who are - or may simply appear to be - gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Work with groups opposing racism and white privilege. Support efforts for interfaith understanding and cooperation.