Our basic methodology for community building and adressing diversity is the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP). The AVP workshop program was developed by the Quakers in the 1970’s and has its roots in the civil rights- and anti-war movement of the 1960’s in the United States. For more than 30 years AVP has been used in schools, communities and prisons in over 50 countries worldwide. Although AVP was started by the Quakers it has no religious affiliation and it is used in many different social and religious contexts. The AVP workshops are suitable for everyone, regardless of education or background. The methodology focuses on experiential learning, using the shared experience of participants, interactive exercises, dialogue forms, games and role-plays. The program is structured around five topics that help to build a healthy community: affirmation, communication, collaboration, community and conflict transformation. Together these topics adress issues around self-image, diversity, cooperation vs. competition, leadership and dealing with conflicts nonviolently.

 

In our work we´ll use excersises and other interactive forms from the AVP program as well as use its experiential methodology as our basic framework. Specifically we’ll focus on exercises around racism and intolerance. Two members of the crew are experienced AVP trainers, with one member being a lead trainer in the methodology with international experience.