The ten-week program teaches the Six Principles of Nonviolence, developed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as basic concepts, strategies and tools that individuals and communities can use to address conflict without resorting to violence. “The training provides a framework for conflict reconciliation management and mediation that can be applied to all areas of conflict in daily life,” Victoria Christgau, Executive Director of the Connecticut Center for Nonviolence, one of the organizers of the program.
The curriculum for the Institute was co-authored by David Jenhsen and legendary civil rights leader Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr., former strategist for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and leading world authority on the discipline of Kingian Nonviolence. The program culminates at a weekend intensive training with the legendary Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr., co-author of the Kingian curriculum, at Wisdom House in Litchfield, CT.
Gathered at the Christian Tabernacle Church in Hamden, CT for the certification immersion in the principles and actions of Kingian Nonviolence are community leaders, organizers, clergy, and New Haven police. “The potential is enormous,” said Sergeant Jacqueline Hoyte, “I already see ways this training can enhance our police work.”
Pastor John Lewis, certified trainer and community liaison for CTCN, continues to build bridges between police, clergy, and the community. He sees Kingian Nonviolence “as an atomic balm because the magnitude of its reach touches millions of lives and travels a multitude of miles.”
“The profound nonviolence teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. deserve serious study. His powerful philosophy and methodology is immediately applicable to conflicts that affect our society and all people, individually and collectively,” said Christgau. “We are excited to conduct the training with funding from CT General Assembly through CTCN collaboration with the Institute of Municipal Policy and Research at CCSU. This training with community and New Haven police represents a significant turning point in our nation’s history.”
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