|
Location: Home > Updates & News
UPDATES & NEWS
02 April 2008
First graduate University program on Strategic Nonviolent Struggle started in Belgrade
CANVAS and Belgrade Faculty of Political Science (FPS) in Belgrade have launched first specialized graduate university course "Strategies and Methods of Nonviolent Social Change". The course is based on FPS post-graduate studies program, as well as CANVAS knowledge transfer program, "CANVAS Core Curriculum" and book "Nonviolent struggle, 50 crucial points".
First generation of 21 students from Serbia will attend classes on six different subjects related to social conflicts, theory of power, strategy of nonviolent struggle, methods and tactics of change and management of nonviolent campaigns, as well as problems of transition after nonviolent change. (See a detailed list of subjects and modules covered by Course Curriculum here).
Post Graduate studies will be led by prominent professors from FPS Belgrade, Cedomir Cupic PhD, Zoran Stoiljkovic PhD and Vukasin Pavlovic PhD, who will work hand in hand with CANVAS presenters Slobodan Djinovic MA, Zivorad Andjelkovic MA and Srdja Popovic.
"Faculty of Political Science is proud to launch this brave and brand new graduate course in the moment when nonviolent struggle shapes the face of the world more and more. We are glad to start it here in Belgrade, 8 years after a successful nonviolent change in Serbia, and we are sure that we can work more towards making this course international" – said Milan Podunavac, PhD, Dean of Faculty of Political Sciences in Belgrade during his speech at the Post Graduate Studies launch event in February.
"CANVAS long-term strategy is related to the production of more Nonviolent Struggle knowledge transfer tools, more research into subject, and building the network of academics related to the subject from all over the world. We are expecting support from our guest lecturers from prominent faculties all over the world" – said CANVAS executive director Srdja Popovic at the opening ceremony held on FPS at March 18th.
16 March 2008
CANVAS training, Portland State University, Sept 9-10, 2008
Application to CANVAS training: DEADLINE: May 1, 2008
There will be a pre-conference strategic nonviolent civil resistance training offered at Portland State University, September 9-10, 2008. The training group, CANVAS (Centre for Applied NonViolent Action & Strategies, www.canvasopedia.org), operates around the world, helping indigenous civil society to shape their resistance nonviolently. The CANVAS trainers are all veterans of struggles that successfully ended a dictatorial regime (Serbia, Ukraine, apartheid in South Africa, etc.) This will be their first training ever in North America. This is some of the most effective and sought-after nonviolence training on Earth.
What we offer:
- Two days of CANVAS training at PSU.
- Housing (local home).
- Complimentary basic admission to PJSA's Sept 11-14 conference at PSU.
What you provide:
- Your transportation to Portland.
- 12 hours of volunteer time during PJSA's "Building Cultures of Peace" conference on Sept 11-13. You choose the volunteer category and times from remaining slots. More info on volunteer needs here.
The CANVAS training is limited to 30 participants. The due date for your application is May 1, 2008. You will be notified by June 1, 2008.
4 March 2008
CTA officials attend talk on Non-Violent Action
The officials of the Central Tibetan Administration attended a talk on non-violent action yesterday at the Gangkyi Staff Mess.The talk was organized by the Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre (TPPRC)...
[ Read the full Article here ]
3 March 2008
Corruption and non-violent youth movements: stories from Serbia and Georgia
In the past ten years, youth movements in Eastern Europe have been instrumental in organising citizen resistance to oppressive regimes. These youth movements have had two principal similarities. First, they have committed to using non-violent tactics and focusing instead on designing creative ways of marketing their message. Second, they have used the adverse affects of corruption on people’s lives in their messages to motivate them to become actively engaged...
[ Read the full Article here ]
2 March 2008
Obama addressing to Serbs
After several actions performed in Belgrade, Serbia, and letters sent, US presidential candidate Barrack Obama responds to the Serbs...
[
Read more at Serbian Special: 2008 LIVE! ]
1 March 2008
Unexpected support from boiling Serbia
Serbian students addressing Barrack Obama in order to support his new policy towards dialogue and tolerance has imposed a nonviolent action in Belgrade.
Less than ten days since US embassy in Belgrade is stormed, another face of Serbia has addressed to US public - supporting Barrack Obama.
[ Read more at Serbian Special: 2008 LIVE! ]
28 February 2008
Serbs riot over Kosovo independence
Members of a Belgrade pro-European group called 'Europe Has No Alternative' carry a framed window to replace the one broken at the Slovenian embassy during riots following.
[ Read more at Serbian Special: 2008 LIVE! ]
27 February 2008
Site updates: New section - SERBIAN SPECIAL 2008 LIVE!
We have added a new section on our web-site:
Serbian Case >Serbian Special: 2008 LIVE!
14 February 2008
Spielberg out as China Games adviser
by: CNN/AP
Film director Steven Spielberg and actress Mia Farrow joined activists worldwide Tuesday in using the Olympics as a backdrop to address human rights concerns, urging Beijing to exert political leverage on Sudan's government to help end the crisis in Darfur.
Spielberg announced he would no longer act as an artistic adviser for the opening and closing ceremonies, saying he could not reconcile working on the Olympics while China and other nations were not doing enough to ease the suffering.
"Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these ongoing crimes but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more," Spielberg said in a statement. "China's economic, military and diplomatic ties to the government of Sudan continue to provide it with the opportunity and obligation to press for change."
[ Read the full Article here ]
04 February 2008
Site updates: New articles in Zimbabwe Page and more...
We have added 3 additional articles in
Battlefield LIVE > Zimbabwe> Reports & Articles
Also, additional article on Otpor was added to:
Serbian Case > Non-Violent Conflict in Serbia (see bottoom of the page)
18 December 2007
Site updates: Multiple updates available
We have added additional articles and links in
Battlefield LIVE > Venezuela > Reports & Articles
Battlefield LIVE > Venezuela > Useful Links (Hugo Chavez video available!)
Battlefield LIVE > Burma > Reports & Articles
Battlefield LIVE > Maldives > Reports & Articles
Battlefield LIVE > Bahrain > Reports & Articles
Battlefield LIVE > Bahrain > Useful Links
Please visit these pages for detailed information.
26 November 2007
Site updates: New article in Venezuela Page and more...
We have added additional article in
Battlefield LIVE > Venezuela > Reports & Articles
Also, The Specials section of our web site has been updated with more material within the Canvas Core Curriculum.
Canvas Special > CANVAS Core Curriculum
15 November 2007
Site updates: New Canvas Book added to Specials
Specials section of our web site has been updated with additional Canvas publication. Once accessed, Specials page will allow you to choose one of two currently available Canvas books. After making a selection, you will be able to access detailed information on the particurlar publication and/or to download it.
09 November 2007
Site updates: Various articles added on our site
Several new articles were added to our site:
04 November 2007
Site updates: Burma added to Battlefield LIVE
- NEW SECTION:
We have added a new country to the Battlefield LIVE section:
02 November 2007
Site updates: Bahrain added to Battlefield LIVE
- NEW SECTION:
We have added a new country to the Battlefield LIVE section:
25 October 2007
Canvas Book - now available in Serbian Language!
Canvas is proud to present Serbian version of its book "Nonviolent Struggle - 50 Crucial Points". Please see our Specials page for more details, and new reviews.
23 October 2007
7th Anniversary of political change in Serbia
For the 7th Anniversary of political change in Serbia and 11 years of Nonviolent Struggle in Serbia Canvas publishes a special review:
From Despair to Democracy:
The Anniversary of the Serbian Victory over Tyranny
By: Cynthia Boaz, Ph.D.
Here in the United States, October 5th, 2007 will probably pass by without much notice. It is likely to be a Friday just like any other. For about 10 million Serbian citizens, however, it is a day to celebrate. It is the seventh anniversary of the day that Serbs officially won their freedom over communist tyrant Slobodan Milosevic and that Serbia joined the ranks of the world’s newest democracies... [ Read the full Article here ]
22 October 2007
Site updates: Maldives added to Battlefield LIVE
- NEW SECTION:
We have added a new country to the Battlefield LIVE section:
- UPDATED PAGES:
New information has been uploaded on Venezuela and Zimbabwe pages, within the Battlefield LIVE section. Minor changes were done to Lessons Learned as well.
21 October 2007
The "Leftist" Attack on Nonviolent Action for Democratic Change
Article by: Stephen Zunes
As a result of the invasion of Iraq and the overtly hegemonic agenda of the Bush administration, there has been growing fears by nationalist governments, progressive activists and others over the possibility of subsequent efforts at "regime change" by the U.S. government. Though such concerns are well-founded, there has recently been a series of articles appearing on websites, in progressive publications and even mainstream periodicals which have erroneously claimed that popular nonviolent civil insurrections of the kind which toppled the corrupt and autocratic regimes in Serbia, Georgia and Ukraine in recent years and which could potentially threaten autocratic governments elsewhere are somehow part of an effort by the Bush administration and its allies to instigate "soft coups" against regimes deemed hostile to American interests and to replace them by more compliant regimes... [ Read the full Article here ]
20 October 2007
Site updates: Ghana & Guinea added to Battlefield LIVE
- NEW SECTIONS:
More material on these countries coming soon.
- MOVED:
Ukraine has been removed from Battlefield LIVE to Lessons Learned section, under Case Studies submenu.
5 October 2007
Stratfor analysis article - Venezuela: The Marigold Revolution?
One of the leading political analysis portals - Stratfor.com has published an article regarding political situation in Venezuela, with special stress on CANVAS and our activities regarding the non-violence in general. We are presenting the original article:
Venezuela: The Marigold Revolution?
By: Stratfor.com
Source: www.stratfor.com/products/premium/read_article.php?id=296367
Summary
Another color revolution may be forming -- in Latin America.
Analysis
Our story begins in 1999, when a small group of Serbian college students took a look at the government of then-Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and decided that enough was enough. They began regular protests against Milosevic's authoritarian rule and began to act as a nexus, coordinating their efforts with other dissident groups and minor political parties. In early 2000 they named their student activist group Otpor.
Within months, Otpor's invigorating and slick campaign tactics helped energize and unite various political factions and bind them together into a confederated anti-Milosevic movement. And in October of that year, Milosevic's government fell.
After its greatest hour, Otpor did not dissolve. It evolved. It remained active in demanding political accountability at home in Belgrade, but also stretched out internationally, seeking training and allies. As the organization's founders graduated from university the group became more nuanced and gradually grew to command a broader and deeper skill set.
Otpor strengthened its connections with Western governments and nongovernmental organizations, which provided the group with funding and limited amounts of intelligence about potential weaknesses in regimes they were already targeting. The tactics used in the crucible in Belgrade were "marketed" in documentaries and training manuals. Otpor became more than "just" a student group and transformed itself into the Center for Applied Non-Violent Action and Strategies (CANVAS). Among the group's strongest allies are Freedom House and the Albert Einstein Institute and, through them, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of State.
In 2003 CANVAS worked with the opposition in the former Soviet state of Georgia and helped foment the Rose Revolution. In 2004 similar efforts merged with a broader international effort to spur Ukraine's Orange Revolution and Kyrgyzstan's Tulip Revolution. Not all of CANVAS's attempts proved successful. Efforts in Belarus, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, for example, bore no fruit. But the group's ability to mobilize and unite disparate factions and strike at the core of authoritarian systems are among the best on the planet.
In 2005, CANVAS turned its attention to Venezuela, and on Oct. 5 -- the seventh anniversary of Milosevic's fall -- five student leaders from Venezuela arrived in Belgrade for training.
Demographically, Venezuela is very young, and thus in political terms student groups are potentially powerful. Additionally, the student movement is probably the most cohesive single faction within the Venezuelan opposition to President Hugo Chavez -- which is itself perhaps the most ineffective and fractured opposition in Latin America. Venezuelan students only recently became active in anti-Chavez activities, and formed the backbone of opposition to decision to not renew the broadcasting license of RCTV, the country's only meaningful private television station.
Success is by no means guaranteed, and student movements are only at the beginning of what could be a years-long effort to trigger a revolution in Venezuela, but the trainers themselves are the people who cut their teeth on the "Butcher of the Balkans." They've got mad skills. When you see students at five Venezuelan universities hold simultaneous demonstrations, you will know that the training is over and the real work has begun.
2 August 2007
Non-violent protest
They shall overcome-but perhaps not always
By: The Economist print edition
In many places, non-violent protest is the only kind that has any hope of succeeding.
But it can still fail.
IT SEEMS a very long way from the grimy neo-classical buildings of downtown Belgrade to the Maldives, an Indian Ocean archipelago best known as an attractive holiday destination.
But for campaigners against Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who has ruled the 1,200 islets for nearly 30 years, the distance is not as great as it seems. Mr Gayoom's critics say they have taken heart from Serbia's October 2000 uprising, in which hundreds of thousands of people converged on the centre of the capital and forced Slobodan Milosevic to admit electoral defeat. “Comparisons can be drawn between Milosevic's Serbia and the current political situation in the Maldives.” That, at any rate, is the eager claim of an anti-Gayoom activist on an opposition website. He argues that in both cases, harsh, unaccountable rule led to miserable living standards... [ Read the full Article here ]
October 2006
5th of October - 6th Anniversary of political change in Serbia
The 5th of October - For the 6th Anniversary of political change in Serbia and 10 years of Nonviolent Struggle in Serbia Canvas publishes a special pamphlet (PDF document is currently available in Serbian language - click here to view it).
6 September 2006
Nonviolent revolution as Serbian Brand
 Washington DC - The book "Nonviolent struggle – 50 Crucial Points", written by Srdja Popovic, Slobodan Djinovic and Andrej Milivojevic has been presented at United States Institute for Peace and George Washington University. The book originated from experience of successful pro-democratic movement from at end of 90s and resulted in a political change in Serbia on the 5th October, 2000. Framed as a manual for those who are part of non-violent struggles around the world, the book is a product of 2 year long work of three authors, which on 150 pages summarises experiences of non-violent movements around the world, from legendary struggle of Gandhi in India, to the South African struggle against apartheid and the recently successful “Coloured revolutions” in Georgia and Ukraine.
"Let's compare results of violent and nonviolent changes at the beginning of 21st of century. Look at Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, where the change was enforced by military intervention and compare them with Serbia, Georgia and Ukraine where the change was achieved by people’s own power and without use of violence. It is obvious that violent change is not leading toward democracy and stability." – said one of authors of the book, Srdja Popovic
Promotion was attended by representatives of non-governmental organizations and state institutions of USA as well as numerous students from few American Universities.
The book was commented, among others, by Mr. Peter Ackerman, Freedom House president and Jim O'Brien, former special envoy for Balkan and one of architects of Dayton agreement.
July 2006
CANVAS in Boston, USA
Canvas Team participates in TUFTs (Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy) Summer Institute in Boston, USA.
June 2006
CANVAS visit Glasgow
Canvas Team participates in CIVICUS Conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
April 2006
CANVAS visit to Colorado and Grinell College
Canvas Team visit Colorado Colege and Grinell College, guest lecturing on nonviolent struggle.
15 June 2005
Three new articles are now placed at Zimbabwe Articles section
- NEW ARTICLES:
- Harare warns against strike
- Zimbabwe crackdown 'nearing end'
- Desperation on the streets
30 May 2005
Additional articles now available at Battlefield Live - Zimbabwe
- NEW ARTICLES:
- Zimbabwe police destroy shanties
- Major Zimbabwe police crackdown
- Human rights defenders under siege
29 April 2005
Eleven new articles were added to Battlefield Live - Zimbabwe
- NEW ARTICLES:
- Zimbabwe economy running on empty
- Mugabe defies ban for Pope burial
- Mugabe tightens grip on Zimbabwe
- Glimmers of Defiance In a Wary Zimbabwe
- Zimbabwe's Enabler
- Zimbabwe Demonstrations Ruled Out
- Zimbabwe Opposition Is Quiet After Vote
- Zimbabwe Vote Tightens Rulers' Grip on Power
- Mugabe's party sweeps to victory
- Hundreds Protest Mugabe's Victory in Zimbabwe's Election
- The mythology of people power
29 December 2004
The Secret to Success in Ukraine - Homegrown revolution
- NEW ARTICLE
Visit our Battlefield Live section to find out more details on the post-election events in Ukraine. Experts from around the globe wrote their analyses on this subject.
27 December 2004
Ukraine's elections reviews are now available
at Battlefield Live > Ukraine > Reports.
Canvas continues to monitor activities within countries where struggle for democracy is taking place. Latest articles on Ukraine's pre-election state have been added on our server.
12 December 2004
CANVAS participated at International conference
"Reconciliation and Human Rights" organised at the Universidad externa Bogota Columbia from 9 to 12 December .
|
