Suggestions for a world without violence

I've noticed that conversations about peace or a world without violence can tend to focus on ending warfare or something happening somewhere else than where I am. The inspiring gathering of women who made up the May Unstoppable Women for a World Without Violence gathering made it clear that the experience of violence is widespread, and that it frequently connects close to home. Wherever it touches ground, this is an issue that needs everyone being part of the change. For each of us, creating peace starts with where we are and who we are being.

The stories shared during the evening were powerful, and the suggestions clear and wide-ranging. The following suggestions were recorded from the evening's conversation.

Structural

• be aware of the forms of violence
• understand root causes and disconnects
• understand and address inequalities

• create gender equality
• challenge the futility of war and the building of a national myth that war defines us
• address domestic violence
• address inequalities
• address the historical and ongoing violence against the traditional owners of this land
• address systemic violence - building gratitude, a nice life for all
• address sex industry violence: punishing the victims
• decriminalise sex purveyors, criminalising the buyers
• build support for victims and emergency accommodation

Community

• teach philosophy for children - build understanding
• build connectedness with self and others
• Consider how we can connect with others and not judge
• work with resistance to change 
• build support for Working Against Violence Support Service (WAVSS) and similar
• create spaces and groups for women emerging from domestic violence to not be in victim role
• increase support for victims and emergency accommodation

• work with men and women
• build the momentum of men against violence
• practise and build compassion / support for Muslims
• provide practical immediate and long term support for refugees in our communities
• • including welcome dinners, continuing practical support, connecting with others
  • address disrespect for the English languaging of migrants and migrant speakers.

Peace - from the personal to community: the change comes from within

• build survival skills, autonomy 
• connect with our own power / knowledge
• work on living without worry
• nurture an open heart policy
• explore what is "choice"
• practise nonviolence in diet

• build connectedness with self and others
• consider how we can connect and not judge
• cultivate mindfulness - for self and others
• develop empathy and compassion for self and others
• engage in compassionate conversation / mindful dialogue
• honour and practise peaceful communication

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Useful tools

• awareness
• critical thinking
• compassion and meditation
• mentoring - peer support
• persistence

The Invitation
Make a difference for peace and a world without violence over this next month

• Positive action in any sphere creates a ripple effect.  
• Make a difference: all the way from small daily actions through to large change

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Your thoughts? Those who participated would love to hear.