Win a place at Scotland's Nonviolence Conference

Are you aged between 18-25 years old and interested in buiding peace and nonviolence? If so, Justice and Peace Scotland are providing a funded place at the Scottish Nonviolence Conference - 'Reclaiming Gospel Nonviolence'. The conference will take place at St Mary's Monastery, Kinnoul, Perth from 14-16th July 2017. For more information on the conference and details of how to enter our competition.

The broad theme of the conference is to explore the centrality of nonviolence to Christianity. Recent Roman Catholic thinking at the Vatican conference in April 2016, and in the 2016 Papal message for the International Day of Peace show signs of a move away from the just war paradigm. The Anglican Communion in its marks of mission vows to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation. The World Council of Churches recently commended the study and adoption of the principles and practices of active non-violence, as the most legitimate and appropriate means of countering discrimination and oppression and of breaking the cycle of violence.

This conference will look at ways in which Christians and other faith communities are acting non-violently, and also provide space for discussion and planning as to how we can act in Scotland so that Gospel nonviolence can become more of a reality for individuals, the church and our wider society. For more information follow the links below:

Catholic Nonviolence website
https://nonviolencejustpeace.net/2016/05/09/first-blog-post/

Church of Scotland
www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news_and_events/events/events/reclaiming_gospel_non-violence_the_centrality_of_non-violence_in_christianity

Pope Francis Message
http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/04/11/pope_francis_message_to_peacebuilding_conference/1221968

Nonviolence website
www.centerforchristiannonviolence.org

To enter the competition all you have to do is submit a short presentation on nonviolence. This presentation can be in the form of a video/audio presentation (which should be no more than five minutes in length), or a written presentation (no more than 1200 words). You can email the link to your video/audio presentation or email your written submission to: Office@justiceandpeacescotland.org.uk. The closing date for competition entries is Friday 12th May 2017. Good luck!
DON'T forget to add your contact details, name, address and a telephone number to your entry. The winner will be informed in the week beginning 15th May 2017.
Below are four example topics which you may or may not wish to use in your presentation:

- Is direct action compatible with the teachings of Christ and/or the teachings of the Church?

- Compare traditions of Christian Nonviolence across two or more denominations.

- Explore the teachings and actions of a prominent figure in Christian Nonviolence.

- Is the Just War tradition of the Catholic Church compatible with the teachings of scripture?