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Our panelists want to hear from you! Help us guide the conversation by responding to any or all of the following questions:
Question #1: The Role of Media in Nonviolent Movements and Campaigns
Have you ever engaged in a nonviolent campaign or movement? If so, how did you and the movement interact with the media? How did the media cover the campaign, if at all? What lessons have you drawn from that experience with respect to how the media, in its various forms (commercial, public, social), can help or hinder a nonviolent movement?
Question #2: Leveraging Nonviolent Power Prior to Negotiating
One of the challenges nonviolent movements face is their need to engage in actions and campaigns that escalate conflict (albeit nonviolently), while at the same time seeking a resolution or a negotiated end to the conflict all together. How can nonviolent movements reconcile or explain this tension? What are some examples of how a nonviolent movement escalated a conflict in order to demonstrate more power prior to engaging in negotiations with their adversary?
Question #3: Shifting Default Paradigms on Effective Ways to Engage in Conflict
Research conducted by Dr. Erica Chenoweth and Dr. Maria Stephan (moderator) and presented in their book, Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict, has shown that, historically, nonviolent movements have been successful in achieving their goals 53% of the time, whereas violent movements have only been successful 26% of the time. Despite this track record, far too many individuals and groups still turn to violence as a means to express discontent, challenge power structures, and fight against oppression. Why do you think this is? Why is violence (terrorism, armed insurrection, and war) still viewed, oftentimes as a rational, default and strategic method of struggle? Do you think the media plays a role in this? Do perceptions of power and who gets a seat at the negotiating table play a role in this?
Question #4: What questions do you want to hear our panelists discuss?