An academic course on strategic nonviolent resistance, organized by International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC) in collaboration with PRIO.

Time: 12 – 14 May, 2013.
Venue: Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), Hausmanns gate 7, 0186 Oslo.

Deadline of applications: 01 March 2013.

This intensive course is designed to provide an in-depth and multi-disciplinary perspective on civilian-based movements and campaigns that defend and obtain basic rights and justice around the world with the use of nonviolent tactics and strategies - from Egypt to Russia, from Zimbabwe to West Papua. We will look, among others, at dynamics and effectiveness of civil resistance, strategic planning, tactical innovation, and movement mobilization, backfire and security divisions, violent flank in nonviolent struggle, role of third party actors, negotiations and democratic transitions, and finally, historical and contemporary cases of civil resistance around the world.

The seminar will be led by the academic advisors and staff of the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC). ICNC (www.nonviolentconflict.org) is an independent, non-profit international education foundation that develops greater understanding and disseminates knowledge about the grass-root, popular nonviolent movements that use nonviolent strategies and tactics to obtain human rights, establish justice or achieve democracy.

Participation and course materials are free of charge. An electronic reading list will be distributed a few weeks prior to the seminar. In addition, a number of books and documentaries provided by ICNC will be given to the participants who attend the seminar. The books, among others, will include: A Force More Powerful by J. DuVall and P. Ackerman; Strategic Nonviolent Conflict by Ackerman and Kruegler; Unarmed Insurrections by K. Schock; Why Civil Resistance Works by E. Chenoweth and M. Stephan and Recovering Nonviolent History edited by M. Bartkowski.

The organizers would like to secure attendance of at least 25 participants. Attendance is required for the three whole days.

While attendance is free, participants must cover the costs of their travel and accommodation. No fellowships are availble for this purpose.

Participants will receive a course diploma upon active participation.

Target group: The course addresses students and researchers, as well as policy makers and practitioners with a relevant academic background.

Research course: PhD students can take the course as a research course. Preparation and active participation equals 1,5 ECTS credits. With a course essay, the course qualifies for 5 ECTS credits according to the standards of the University of Oslo.

Application: Registration by e-mail to Kristoffer@prio.no by 01 March. Please include

  • your name and affiliation,
  • a CV (or a brief overview of your academic and professional background,
  • a few lines on your motivation to join the course, and
  • a stated commitment to participate throughout the whole course – 3 days.

Lecturers:

  • Dr. Maciej Bartkowski- Senior Director, Education and Research, ICNC
  • Erica Chenoweth- Assistant Professor at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver; Co-Chair, ICNC Academic Advisors Committee
  • Ivan Marovic, - Consultant on non-violent resistance with a background as one of the leaders of the OTPOR movement in Serbia against Slobodan Milosevic
  • Jack DuVall- President, ICNC

At PRIO, the course is organized in collaboration between the Research School in Peace and Conflictand the projects Effective Non-Violence? Resistance Strategies and Political Outcomes; Non-Violent Strategies: Protest, Resistance, Intervention (PRIO Strategic Initiative); and Imagined Sovereignties: Frontiers of Statehood and Globalization (upcoming, RCN FRIHUM).