History of Non-Violence: UNESCO Education

EDUCATION

History of Non-Violence

The term non-violence is commonly used to refer to coercive but peaceful ways of fighting. Protecting the vulnerable, rescuing the assaulted,maintaining civil order,resisting tyranny , and redressing injustices are actions that can be performed using non-violent methords such as persuasion or non-cooperation.

Even if non-violence action has always existed, the two best know proponents of the theory and practice of non violent-action are Gandhi (1969-1948) and Martin Luther King (1929-1968).

In recent decades many theorists of non-violence have attempted to identify characteristics of 'non-violent' societies and relationships. Most of them believe that both violence and non violence are "natural" to men and women, and that both emerge from social conditions.

They contest the view that violence is "naturally"human while non violence is an extraordinary moral feat.

They refer to ethological and anthropological evidence that among humans and many other animals co-operative caring activities are more prevalent than violent ones.

In this sense a statement onviolence was made in 1986, in the framework of an international conference celebrated in Seville, Spain. The Seville Statement on violence is a scientific statement which says peace is possible, because war is not a biological necessity. The statement, written by an international team of specialists, was adopted by UNESCO in 1989.

To know more:
Penser la non-violence by R. Jahanbegloo (French)

Documents

Documents from selected Meetings
Documents from selected Meetings

Selection of Documents and Introduction Janusz Symonides and Vladimir Volodin
Standard-setting Instruments - Major Meetings Publications

Official statements

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