“I learned how non-violence applies to everyday life,” said freshman Will Johnson after attending Guilford’s non-violence workshop on Nov. 9 and 10. Students in Vernie Davis’s FYE class attended the conference to receive experiential training in non-violence.

The workshop consisted of various discussions and role-plays that reinforced non-violent thought and action. The group also came up with strategies for developing nonviolent plans.

To run the conference, Guilford brought in Mubarak Awad and Nancy Nie, a married couple who have both visited Guilford on other occasions.

Awad is a graduate professor at American University in Washington DC, and works with Non-Violence International, a group dedicated to educating the world about nonviolent action. Nie, a Quaker, works with Youth Advocacy Program International, a group which strives to improve the lives of children in new ways.

“Those two were great,” said Davis. “I think they were really effective and the students were receptive to them.”

“They were really empathizing with us and trying to connect,” said Johnson. “They never talked down to us. It seemed like they had a lot of experience.”

Awad and Nie challenged the students with tough questions and hypothetical situations.

The students brainstormed with Awad and Nie and came up with strategies for nonviolence. The ideas they came up with included appealing to the good in their opposition, and creating an effective nonviolent action group with a mission statement and a timeline.

“You have to have firm beliefs but be willing to listen to all sides of the issue,” said FYE student Ryan Moss.

Both Nie and Awad have lived in the Middle East, and they had powerful stories about their experiences there.

“Some of the stories they told were really moving,” said Martin. “I learned a lot about what is going on in the Middle East. I got another perspective too.”

Awad was impressed with the maturity and inquisitiveness of Guilford students.

“When he found out they were freshmen he was shocked,” said Davis. “He told me that they were better than most graduates he had worked with.”