Center for NonViolent Solutions
Helping our Community Build a Culture of Peace

Michael True, CNVS Board President, talks about the mission of the
Center at the Launch Event, October 17, 2009.

Mission Statement

The Center for Nonviolent Solutions provides education and resources for people in the Worcester Area to increase understanding of nonviolence as a way of life and encourages rejection of the use of violence in resolving conflict.

Nonviolence and Human Nature

Nonviolence is a method, philosophy, and strategy for resisting injustice and humiliation, resolving and transforming conflict, and bringing about social change without killing or harming people. Although many people believe that war and violence are an inevitable part of our natural biology, this is not the case. Extensive research over the last thirty years has demonstrated that we are not naturally violent, and that looking out for others is both the norm and a major contribution to personal satisfaction.

Why the Need for Nonviolent Solutions

• Violence in local communities results in death, disruption of family life, the paralyzing of schools and education, and fear and chaos in neighborhoods
• Warfare between nations, civil war and genocide result in military and civilian casualties, permanent psychological damage to survivors, devastating destruction to infrastructure and the environment, degradation of democratic institutions and the violation of human rights
• Warfare and preparations for war result in the diversion of resources from serving the needs of the people, create havoc on national economic systems and often lead to erosion of the protections of the constitution

The CNS Vision

The Center for Nonviolent Solutions envisions that in the next few years, a majority of people in the Worcester area will:

• Recognize the need for and viability of nonviolent solutions to conflicts of all kinds
• Understand the causes of terrorism and strategies for prevention
• Learn and use conflict management skills
• Support political action to create nonviolent solutions at all levels: local, state, national and international

Programs for Achieving the Vision

• Engage in local, state and national advocacy as appropriate to create awareness of nonviolent solutions and to build a Culture of Peace
• Create awareness of the losses caused by violence and of the ways we are manipulated to support violence
• Provide an educational resource center where concerned citizens can obtain information and assistance on nonviolent solutions
• Facilitate collaboration among Worcester area peace groups, religious groups and local groups working for nonviolent solutions and sustainable and just communities
• Advocate for the provision of mediation and conflict management skills at the K-12, college and adult levels