What are you doing for Peace One Day?

We are proud to participate in this global day of peace, by holding as many workshops as possible.

AVP actively works for peace, and we will be supporting International Peace Day on Sept 21st with workshops around the world. We all need peace to live, and this day of global ceasefire and non-violence is a chance to recognise and work with others towards peace in our world... More »

AVP Nepal's journey towards self-reliance

One of our newest programmes continues to grow and develop

After a pause of about a year and half AVP Nepal has rejuvenated its journey towards self-reliance. The pause provided valuable time for nurturing ideas and reinvigorated the possibilities within us... More »

International Gathering 2011 - Guatemala

Our global AVP/PAV family came together in Antigua, Guatemala, for the 2011 International Gathering.   Our theme was weaving the threads for stronger community, capacity and impact worldwide... More »

Nairobi AVP Benefit Concert - Sat July 2nd

AVP Kenya is preparing for a substantial workshop programme, in the run-up to fresh elections in Kenya in August 2012. Our Nairobi benefit concert at the German School on Saturday 2nd July raised funds and awareness for our work... More »

Peace Talks Radio covers AVP

Peace Talks Radio, the anchor program of Good Radio Shows, Inc. , recently devoted a one-hour program to AVP... More »

AVP/USA Annual Gathering

MOVING FORWARD!!!  Building Communities   Welcoming Diversity    Exploring New Tools for the Future The 2011 AVP/USA Annual Gathering will be in Belmont, California, May 27-30th. For more details and registration visit www... More »

In Memoriam: Stephen Angell

Smiling Steve, who spread AVP to many new countries around the world, has died aged 91

Stephen Angell became involved in the early years of AVP.   He was instrumental to its subsequent growth and spread, including to England, the Balkans, Africa, Latin America and Australia... More »

PAV Encuentro Internacional 2011 - Guatemala

El Comité del Encuentro Internacional del Proyecto Alternativas a la Violencia (PAV) se complace en anunciar la confirmación de la sede y fecha del Encuentro Internacional (EI) de 2011: Tejiendo la tela de una comunidad con capacidad e impacto mundial más fuertes. Llegada: Domingo 2 de octubre de 2011... More »

announcing International Gathering 2011 - Guatemala

The AVP International Gathering Committee is pleased to announce that a date and venue have been confirmed for the 2011 International Gathering (IG): Weaving the threads for stronger community, capacity and impact worldwide. Arrival: Sunday Afternoon October 2, 2011 Departure: Saturday Morning October 8, 2011 Location: Posada Belen, Antigua Guatemala The venue is a beautiful 17th Century building, now used primarily as a Catholic retreat centre, run by the Belencito order of nuns... More »

A light has gone out... Peg Erlanger

Peg Erlanger has imprinted her personality on the office of president of the Alternatives to Violence Project USA, the organization she loved so dearly. As we try to describe this wise warm loving woman our hearts are heavy... More »

Cheering the first AVP workshop by Korean facilitators

The first AVP workshop was held at Helmon Retreat Center in Daejeon City, located 2 hours from Seoul. The reason why we, as facilitators, felt some feeling tension mixed with expectation was that this was initiated by Korean facilitators for the first time... More »

Growing impact of AVP for youth in KZN, South Africa

For 11 years, the University of KwaZulu-Natal has been teaching non-violent methods of conflict resolution in schools and communities throughout KwaZulu-Natal by means of the internationally-acclaimed Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), which the University’s Student Leadership Development initially introduced to the Province. AVP also forms one of the electives in the Certificate in Education (Participatory Development) (CEPD) courses run by the Centre for Adult Education (CAE)... More »

Choosing the Other Way

It was during the decade (1995-2005 A D) long Maoist-government armed conflict in Nepal that took the life of about thirteen thousand people. In December 2000, a 46 year old man was missing since ten days for no known reason... More »

Our new program in Nepal on its first birthday

A brief update, as AVP Nepal recently (and quietly) celebrated its first birthday of existence. In April and May of 2008, the first 2 Basic workshops were held in Nepal's capital city, Kathmandu... More »

Healing the Rifts

The Rift Valley of Kenya experienced violence and displacement, after disputed elections in December 2007.   Participations in a Healing and Reconciliation workshop from different tribes committed to work together and rebuild several  homes which were destroyed, welcoming back their displaced neighbours... More »

Innovative youth programmes in Australia

Because of the large number of workshops and the ‘low bullshit tolerance’ of young people Sydney HIP has become a melting-pot for innovation. Sydney AVP community and prison workshops have benefitted greatly from the innovation and the inclusion of restorative practice stemming from the HIP program... More »

new work with Somali refugee camps around Daadab

After a long, bumpy, six hour journey from Nairobi, the first group of facilitators alighted at the Hagadera Refugee Camps. This marked the start for important new work for AVP within Somali communities... More »

New programme in Jordan established

The AVP Iraq-Jordan program builds momentum with refugee youth and adults, training our first new facilitators in Amman.   This is a key first step for localising AVP work within a Middle Eastern context... More »

AVP Globetrotter

The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that has travelled throughout North America spreading positive messages in schools (earning the nickname the 'Ambassadors of Goodwill'). AVP Globetrotter was created in the same tradition... More »

AVP - International Coordinating Committee

Within the 2008 International Gathering in Kakamega, many of us worked hard to figure out what should be the face and structure of AVP International to respond to needs in today's often violent world. To insure that all voices were heard, we held a plenary session where all delegates chose a group that identified with their concern and vision for such an organization... More »

AVP International Gathering 2008 - Kenya

The International Gathering brought together about 120 people from 23 countries, in Kakamega, Western Kenya. It was extraordinary to spend 5 days with creative, innovative, dedicated people who are all committed to AVP... More »

AVP in Nepal

For thirteen years, Nepal had been beset by escalating levels of violence as the Maoists increased their pressure on a corrupt and ineffective monarchy and administration. In the spring of 2006, an historic agreement was reached to hold free elections... More »

Meeting challenging needs after the Kenyan elections

Kenya erupted in violence, following the disputed elections of December 2007. AVP has been extremely active, running hundreds of workshops at short notice, mainly with youth and communities affected by the violence... More »

AVP International Gathering 2006 - South Africa

At the start of spring, 104 people from 23 countries have gathered at Hartbeespoort Dam between Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa: a rainbow gathering in the Rainbow Nation. We have come together at The Good Shepherd Retreat Centre, a place of welcoming hospitality, peace and spirituality... More »

Doncaster Mind

One of our long-standing partnerships is with Doncaster MIND, which hosts AVP workshops for clients with mental health needs.

"Doncaster MIND as an organisation has benefitted tremendously from the partnership in terms of our enhanced reputation locally as the only provider of effective conflict resolution. " Jackie Lewis, Director... More »

Engage for Change, Newcastle

We worked with community groups in the East End of Newcastle, training members to deliver mini-sessions on nonviolence with local young people.

"Engage for Change in Newcastle has valued working with AVP because it has taken time and gained the trust of the people in the community. In a very difficult and sensitive area of our lives they have very successfully engaged with a substantial number of us to look for and work for change in our relationships... More »

Catherine's story

After a violent incident, Catherine chose to help solve social issues around her. She supports AVP with her professional skills.

I became involved with AVP about three or four years ago and support the organisation with its communications and outreach work. My journey to AVP began after I was a victim of violence when my local shop was held up at gunpoint while I was in there... More »

David's story

David is the Director of AVP Britain, and supports the growing work of our volunteer facilitators.

"As AVP's Director I feel like a wildlife gardener - I try to make sure AVP is watered with funds and that our volunteers have what they need to run our workshops well. I'm a volunteer facilitator myself so sometimes I'm also helping with the work programme... More »

Jennifer's story

As a facilitator, Jennifer started by working on her own issues, and now loves seeing the changes in herself and others.

"I became involved with AVP in 2002. I had just started working in prisons, and felt that it would be useful if I trained as a facilitator... More »

Roger's story

As a prison inmate, Roger found that AVP offered him a turning point, and helped him become a better person.

"Aggression being the biggest make up of my personality, somewhere along the line it had to change. Having completed seven anger management courses, it never seemed to work as there is always a one way answer... More »

Karen's story

Struggling with handling intense emotions, Karen found AVP workshops helped her a lot. She has now trained as a facilitator.

"The switch in my head had been pushed. The switch that reads above it, ‘Violence, Warning, Do not touch!’  Too late though, my switch had been flicked and a chain of violent behaviour began... More »

Rebecca's story

Attending AVP workshops have improved Rebecca's confidence, and helped her stand up for herself.

"My sister recommended AVP to me.   She had come across it through her charity work with the Quakers and was a facilitator... More »

Carta del Encuentro Internacional del PAV 2011

Tejiendo la tela de una comunidad con capacidad e impacto mundial más fuertes.   Carta del Encuentro Internacional del PAV Antigua, Guatemala, Octubre 2-8 de 2011 A  todos los amigos del PAV y amantes de la paz y la noviolencia en todo el mundo: Les enviamos nuestro cariñoso saludo y noticias desde la hermosa ciudad de Antigua, Guatemala... More »

The Governor's story

Jon Parkin is a former Governor of HMP Wymott, and says that AVP has been a major contributor to the success of the prison.

“I have seen a real change in many of the men who have undertaken the project. It seems to give them better understanding of self and an ability to help other people deal with issues and problems... More »

video about AVP in prisons

Information about AVP's work at HMP Grendon, and the thoughts of the Governor at the time.

"After an AVP workshop prisoners are enthusiastic about skills and the experience of fellowship.   They realise they have the capacity to manage situations much better than they thought in the past... More »