Training and Workshops

Over nearly two decades I have organized and led civil resistance workshops—from 4 hours to 8 days in length—for activists and organizers. I have engaged with people from democratic contexts as well as many living under fully authoritarian governments, with a range of causes including fighting for democracy and self-determination; combating corruption; securing human rights; and others.

Presenting at the 2017 James Lawson Institute,
Nashville, TN

Every workshop or training is customized based on audience, geographic context, movement goals, and local circumstances. The choice of topics covered and the balance of presentation, facilitation, and breakout group work are flexible based on these factors.

A sample of workshop topics that can be covered include:

• Movement formation and development
• Strategic planning for civil resistance movements
• Principles of effective nonviolent resistance
• Tactical selection, innovation, and sequencing
• Case studies of specific movements
• Communications and message design
• Building and maintaining unity in a movement
• Movement leadership and organizational structure
• Designing recruitment, training and knowledge management efforts
  

  Leading a workshop in Skopje, North Macedonia in 2014. Photo credit: Roska Vrgova

• Coalition building
• Strategies for dealing with repression
• Making repression backfire
• Fostering defections
• Engaging with external allies
• Consolidating victory

Depending on workshop length and local needs, I can work alone, co-lead with a local partner, or draw from my network to bring in a co-presenter/facilitator to best advance the workshop's goals.

I have significant experience working with simultaneous and sequential translation, as needed.