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WHAT IS AVP INTERNATIONAL?From its beginnings in New York State in 1975, the Alternatives to Violence Project has become an international organization reaching thousands of people worldwide. The purpose of the International Network is to encourage the development of the program in different countries by supporting each other, sharing information and offering support in maintaining the integrity of AVP. While the Network is independent of any national organization, it has been supported administratively by AVP-Canada. While no statistics are available as yet, there are now hundreds of volunteer facilitators working on AVP programs throughout the world. Thousands of participants in prisons, communities and schools continue to benefit from this work. People from all walks of life, different faiths and ethnic origins and holding different faiths or professing none, have been challenged to seek nonviolent ways of solving conflict and forming viable communities. Transforming Power is the basis of AVP, the power of truth and power within. This must become active and a practical way of life if violence is to be overcome. Bill McMechan, Convener An AVP facilitator's point of viewI have been a facilitator now for five years, and a lead facilitator for two. People ask me "What's it like to run a workshop?" It's a surprisingly tough question to answer. I tell them I don't "run " anything, unless I am the lead trainer, and then I run the paperwork after the workshop! AVP workshops are guided into being, not run by the facilitators. My role is to work with the team of facilitators to create an environment where the participants and facilitators can create a close community. Much of what happens depends on the participants - are they willing to be part of such a community? Each workshop creates a unique community, but the principles underpinning the community and method of getting there are the same. It's difficult how to explain that starting out on the same road leads to a different destination every time, but that's what it's like. Different levels of workshop - basic, second and training for facilitators - have different needs. The relationship between participant and facilitators is different in each case. In a basic workshop, the participants are guided by the facilitators through a series of exercises, discussions and games which explore the themes of violence, non-violence and conflict resolution. In a second level, the participants decide which aspect of violence they wish to explore in depth, and the facilitators select exercises and discussions to respond to that request. On a trainers course, the trainees facilitate, making the line between trainee and facilitator blurred. It's important to realise that simply because there are different levels of courses, this isn't like school where you "progress" from course to course. Although you must complete a basic to participate in a second level, you can then do another second level. The other questions I am often asked are interlinked - Why do you do this and what do you get from this? These questions are asked as frequently put by participants as they are by friends and family. I can only speak for myself when I answer these questions. As a Quaker, I believe there is that of God in all people - or, in non religious terms, I believe there is a drive within us all towards peace. Once you can show people that they, too, have this, it's amazing the learning that comes form that. To me, helping people to see this side of themselves and learn how to use it is a reaffirmation of my beliefs. This reaffirmation is one of the main personal benefits from facilitating AVP workshops. Beth Albright
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