ARTHUR ROMANO; Exploring Nonviolence

ARTHUR ROMANO; Exploring Nonviolence - Wolfman Productions

Biographical Information for Arthur Romano

Arthur Romano is a certified nonviolence trainer and accomplished international educator who has worked globally to challenge violence and promote peace. Arthur focuses on social issues and helps non-profit agencies and schools design, plan and implement programs for a variety of causes. He most recently worked with university students and staff from more than fifty nations implementing key community building projects that challenged violence on campus and supported peaceful ways of living. Arthur has spoken several times at the United Nations and has collaborated with the Department of Public Information to promote the Gandhi-King Season for Nonviolence and the International Day of Peace. In 2004, he was awarded the prestigious Rotary World Peace Fellowship for the study of conflict resolution and he has conducted research on university level peace studies programs in India, Japan, the US and the UK.

In the days following the violence of September 11th, Arthur joined with a group of concerned citizens to counteract the narrowing national debate and increasing calls for retaliatory measures in response to those attacks. The World Peace Walk resulted with members walking more than three hundred miles from the former site of the World Trade Towers to the Pentagon. During that time Arthur met with people from all walks of life and helped to provide a space for communities to grieve and explore the possibilities for nonviolent responses to those acts of hatred. Arthur continues to work to further cross-cultural and interfaith understanding, including efforts to promote dialogue between Americans and people from abroad with focused interest on increasing direct face-to-face diplomacy and exchange.

Call to Conscience: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Message of Nonviolence Today
International peaceworker Arthur Romano honors the legacy and struggle of Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr. by bringing his teachings to life and illuminating their relevance. This compelling introduction highlights King's understanding of the basic principles of nonviolence and his ideas about social change. In this talk, Kings life and teachings are not relegated to the history books but instead are brought to bear on pressing contemporary global issues.

Filled with stories of peaceworkers from around the world, it serves as an invitation to look at the difference that every individual can make.

Celebrating The Season for Nonviolence: January 30 - April 4
This talk provides an opportunity to honor the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr by considering the power of nonviolence to heal, transform, and empower our lives and communities. Join with people from around the world during this 64-day educational, media, and grassroots campaign aimed at raising consciousness about the practice of nonviolence. International peaceworker Arthur Romano reflects on the memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi (January 30) and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (April 4) offering insights into the vision of these two great men and their work for peace. The relationship between Gandhi and King are highlighted through a moving multi-media presentation. This talk is filled with various chronicles of nonviolent struggles from around the world and engages with ideas about creative action, collaboration, and strategies for social change.

Your Peace Event
All of Arthur's presentations can be followed by a workshop where students are invited to co-create an event and plan a peace pole dedication ceremony thereby leaving a lasting legacy of peace on-campus. This session provides an exciting and practical opportunity to reach out to the community and address social justice related issues. Arthur facilitates creative brainstorming sessions and offers support and informational resources to all those interested in becoming active.

Information about the Peace Pole Project:
www.peacepoleproject.org

The Peace Pole is a hand-crafted monument that displays the universal message May Peace Prevail on Earth on each of its four or six sides, usually in different languages. They serve as constant reminders for us to visualize and work to promote world peace. To date, the peace pole is the most widespread peace monument with more than 200,000 Peace Poles in existence, including at least one in every country in the world! Peace Poles can be found in town squares, city halls, schools, places of worship, parks, and gardens - any place where the spirit of peace is embraced by people of good will.

Testimonials

"Arthur is fantastic and absolutely worth every penny! We need him here every day."
~ Armstrong Atlantic State University - Savannah, GA

" I was moved by the workshop...in Omaha last fall. I often think of the hope inspired in that room during the time we spent together."
~ Lynn Anderson De Mott, L.C.S.W., L.I.M.H.P, University of Omaha, NE

"I attended a workshop facilitated by Arthur Romano last night. The Workshop was absolutely exceptional, I must say that I have never been a part of something so invigorating and eye opening in my entire life. Kudos to Mr. Romano!"
~ Aronya Downing - Student, Rider University, NJ - Teacher: Washington Elementary School

"Thank you so much for ...a workshop, which lead to barriers being broken. Initially, I had no idea what to expect coming into the room. At first, I felt reluctant to share anything, but soon after, I found myself engaging in conversation with people I did not know. Thank you! The most intense part of the workshop was the line exercise... I was definately moved by the questions, and the amount of honesty everyone displayed. It is true, you can never judge a book by its cover!"
~ Justin Leonard - Student, Rider University, NJ