Hello Friends: In our own efforts at social distancing, we’re cancelling our regular Tuesday night meetings until further notice.
The Viewpoints on Incarceration forum originally scheduled for 28 April 2020 is postponed; a new date will be announced later.
Planning for the Nonviolence Day In The Park continues. A new date, likely in September, will be announced soon! The date is unchanged, taking place on Saturday, 18 July 2020 from Noon to 5:00pm. Registration for exhibitors is now open!
Join us for an inclusive evening with a panel presentation, group discussion, and personal action to achieve nonviolent solutions for people seeking refugee status.
Viewpoints forums try to bring the perspectives of a person with lived experience, a facilitator working in the field, an academic, and a policy maker.
There will be a Question and Answer session after the panel presentation, then we will break into groups with each panelist to discuss common themes and solutions. A spokesperson from each group will then report back to everyone.
Tony Van Giessen, Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support
Dr. Margaret Walton-Roberts, Wilfrid Laurier University
…other speakers to be announced
Public Small-Group Discussion
Planning A Positive Way Forward
Everyone is invited to contribute their experiences, dreams, and unique perspectives. When: Tuesday, 10 March 2020 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm Where: Queen Street Commons Café Location: 43 Queen Street South, Kitchener, Ontario Map
WR Nonviolence wishes everyone a happy holiday, and best wishes for the season!
Our last two regular Tuesday evening meetings in 2019 fall on Christmas Eve (24 December) and New Years Eve (31 December), and so we’ll be spending the time at home with family and friends. Regular meetings resume on Tuesday, 7 January 2020!
What: Regular Meeting for @WRNonviolence When: Every Tuesday from 7:00pm to 9:00pm Where: Queen Street Commons Café Location: 43 Queen Street South, Kitchener, Ontario Map
Jenniefer Stronge came to the Nonviolence Day In The Park on Saturday, 20 July 2019 and interviewed a performer: Bobcat Bartolo and the Liberation; a visitor: Scott Heer; an exhibitor: Mo Markham (KW Animal Save, KW Climate Save); and the organizer, our very own Matthew Albrecht!
On Saturday, 20 July 2019 WR Nonviolence held the 15th Annual Day In The Park. There were community group exhibitors, arts and crafts vendors, kids’ games, meditation and an area for reflection, a labyrinth, and performers all day long in the Gazebo. It was sunny and hot, and everyone had a good time!
Exhibitors Alley
WRN DITP Volunteers at the Welcome Table; photo by the Rotary Club of Kitchener
Acoustic Steel – Music to dance by
The Boys and I (unplugged)
Carnival Games
Walking the Labyrinth
Playing along with the Acoustic Steel Band
Arisha School of Dance
LibreStreets gives away Free Culture
Arts and Crafts in the Fun Zone
Enjoying the performance
Interfaith Grand River
Islamic Information Centre
In the Fun Zone
Basic Income Waterloo Region in the foreground, Waterloo Federal Liberal Association in the background
Vendors Susan Wilmot with Critters and Pauline Finch selling Paulines Things
Listening to concerts
KW Animal Save
Bobcat Bartolo and the Liberation (unplugged)
A customer buys crafts from Diane Veal
Arisha School of Dance – Two Dancers
Amnesty International Group Nine is busy
You can see more pictures from the 15th Annual Day In The Park in our Photo Gallery.
Stephanie Villella from CTV News in Kitchener came to the 15th Annual WR Nonviolence Day In The Park on Saturday, 20 July 2019, and interviewed Matthew Albrecht:
CTV Kitchener
Published Saturday, July 20, 2019 7:51PM EDT
Be peaceful and polite to your neighbours.
This was the message of those attending the 15th Nonviolence Day in the Park.
“Those little times when you feel like you’re objectified are not acceptable,” said Waterloo Region Nonviolence cofounder Matthew Albrecht. “An economic system that keeps people enslaved is not acceptable.
“Anywhere I look there’s an answer of nonviolence and a solution of how things can get better.”
Organizations and initiatives from across the region gathered in Victoria Park Saturday to share these ideas and educate people how to make a change without resorting to violence.
Meditation and religious groups were just two of the options participants learned about at the event.
Albrecht says growing up being bullied in school made him realize violence wasn’t the answer.
He adds that it all comes down to the golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated.
“It’s that dividing line between good and bad,” said Albrecht. “We want to make that clear: don’t treat others like an object.”
You can see more pictures from the 15th Annual Day In The Park in our Photo Gallery.
We’ve got a great lineup of talent at the 15th Annual Nonviolence Day In The Park! There are returning guests, and brand new acts:
Area of Reflection
Walk the Labyrinth – Enjoy yoga, meditation and Zentangle sessions.
Pick your fortune – Express your Gratitude on our Gratitude Tree.
In Our Zen Den
Kundalini Yoga
Three separate sessions of Kundalini Yoga
12:00pm , 12:30pm , 1:00pm – Presented by Peggy McIntosh
Sessions are 20-25 minutes each.
Peggy will offer Anger-tempering and temper cooling sessions in Breath work, Movement and Meditation from the Kundalini Yoga Tradition, as taught by Yogi Bhajan.
Zentangle
2:00 PM : – Presented by Tina Coutts
“The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.” – Zentangle Headquarters
T-Untangling offers the Zentangle method as a way to mindfully focus on the moment, relieving stress and bringing relaxation “one stroke at a time.”
Laughter Yoga
2:00 pm: – Presented by Karen Lord
Please meet by the Labyrinth for this yoga session.
Mandalas
3:00 pm: – Presented by Tina Coutts
Mandalas: Explore simple, basic, techniques to create your own mandalas. Mandalas can be found through out many cultures, expressing spirituality and mindfulness. We will explore some easy techniques and patterns to begin your mandala practice.
On Tuesday, 14 May 2019 WR Nonviolence held its second Viewpoints forum at the Queen Street Commons Cafe, called Viewpoints on Poverty: Exploring Life In The Margins. Matthew Albrecht from WRN hosted, and the discussion panel was:
Matthew Albrecht of WR Nonviolence introduces the evening and the panelists
The discussion panel: Aleksandra Petrovic Graonic, Sandee Lovas, Michael Parkinson
Michael Parkinson from the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council presents first
Sandee Lovas from Alliance Against Poverty tells a personal story of living a life of poverty
Aleksandra Petrovic Graonic tells us of the work the Social Development Centre Waterloo Region does for poverty elimination
Doug McKlusky summarizes his groups discussion
Bob Jonkman talks about his group’s discussion
Organizers and panelists for Viewpoints on Poverty: Exploring Life In The Margins. Front L-R: Peter Jantzi, Sandee Lovas, Michael Parkinson; Back L-R: Aleksandra Petrovic Graonic, Matthew Albrecht, Bob Jonkman
Join us for an inclusive evening with a panel presentation, group discussion, and personal action to achieve nonviolent solutions for people living a life of poverty.
This Viewpoints forum tries to bring the perspectives of a person with experience living a life of poverty, a facilitator working in the field, an academic, and a policy maker.
There will be a Question and Answer session after the panel presentation, then we will break into groups with each panelist to discuss common themes and solutions. A spokesperson from each group will then report back to everyone.
Hello Friends: In our own efforts at social distancing, we’re cancelling our regular Tuesday night meetings until further notice.
Panel Presentations
https://wrnonviolence.org
https://wrnonviolence.org