Peace Vigil, Institute for Policy Studies, and Split This Rock invite you to a unique interactive session. We will explore with our visiting peace educators from South Africa how movements for justice have successfully applied media other than speech for social change. We will learn of this continuing journey by way of videos, podcasts, mobile app messaging, games, story telling, role play and music. These tools are playing major mobilizing roles in the struggles of immigrants, industrial and agricultural workers, women, indegenous people and refugees. They are being used successfully in actions against racism, xenophobia, fascism and sexism. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the creative tools needed to build and sustain long-term movements for peace and justice. Examples from USA, Canada, South Africa, Sudan, Egypt, Philippines, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal will be discussed. Prepare for an exciting training that will help you look at activism in a whole new light.

To learn more about our trainers visit www.peacevigil.net and read their bios here:

Shirin is a peace educator of over two decades work with children and youth, women, universities, places of worship and neighbourhood initiatives. She uses an interactive approach by applying new media, music, song, drama and play. Her workshops are beautiful experiences that stay with you and help you become better equipped to wage peace. Her training as a journalist and work as a broadcaster have also made her a strong interviewer and podcast host. Shirin has a degree in Women’s Studies from La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia and in Journalism from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi, India. She works in many countries and has lived in the United States, India, South Africa, Australia and the Philippines.

Sameer Dossani has been part of movements for global economic justice for more than 25 years. During that time he has held staff positions at international NGOs. He has lived in six countries and traveled around the world as a resource person for organizations working on peace and justice. He is also a trained musician. Sameer holds degrees in Religious Studies and Philosophy from McGill University, Canada and is currently completing his PhD on the economics of decolonization at the Institute for Economic Research on Innovation (IERI), South Africa.