Call for Proposals
Gandhi-King Conference:
Overcoming Systems of Violence through the Power of Active Nonviolence
April 10-11, 2015
Memphis, TN
www.GandhiKingConference.org
The Gandhi-King Conference is a two day event bringing together modern visionaries on nonviolence
and social change with community leaders, activists, academics, and organizers to train, learn, plan, and
organize to create a culture of liberation and justice for all. Participants will engage in:
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training and education in nonviolent theory and practice.
opportunities for networking and peer-to-peer learning with movement builders from all over
the country.
working groups that will continue the work throughout the year.
a network of people who are new to the movement and movement leaders to share and inspire
action in a cross-cultural and inter-generational environment.
the opportunity to learn about best practices and develop new ones based upon our shared
experience.
Conference participants will end this transformational weekend in a better position to decide
strategically where to put their energies for maximum effect and with concrete tools to use in their
personal and social movement work.
Conference Theme: Overcoming Systems of Violence through the Power of Active Nonviolence
This point in time in national and international movements for social change we see the physical
manifestations of systems of violence in our daily lives and in our lifelong struggles. The violence in our
economic, social and criminal (in)justice systems foster the violence of poverty and inequality that keep
our communities oppressed. This oppression plays out in our daily lives as our communities struggle
through police violence, gentrification (economic development), and
In looking at the theme of this year’s conference we take our inspiration from Occupy and the ongoing
work that it inspired in communities across the world; in the resistance to police violence that is most
publicized in Ferguson and NYC but is omnipresent in most cities across our country; in the cries for
$15 and a union from our brothers and sisters working in Fast Food; and most importantly in the crossmovement collaboration that is ongoing between these struggles and so many more. But as our
namesake suggests we always take inspiration in the work for personal nonviolence in ourselves and in
our communities.
DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS is February 23, 2015
Notification of accepted proposals will be made by: March 2, 2015
Presentation proposals from professors, activists, community members, students and other interested
parties are welcome.
Proposal Suggestions:
Proposals offering practical tools and skills in areas such as community building, nonviolent
communication, sustainability, nonviolent education, economic, social, and environmental justice,
etc.
• Papers on the philosophy and theology of Gandhi and King; nonviolence and the arts; nonviolent
theory.
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We encourage interactive workshops. Presentations that incorporate stories, art, music, video, or
photographic displays are especially encouraged.
Sessions will be one hour and fifteen minutes in length, with 1-3 presentations and time for discussion.
Presentation Style
Lecture: Didactic presentation, discussion limited to questions and answers.
Interactive/Experiential: Involves presenter-directed verbal and/or physical participation.
Co-Creation: Participants and presenter create learning content together.
Please complete the following form and email or mail to the address listed below.
If your proposal is accepted, we will use the following description of your session in the final program.
Please use complete sentences and abbreviate only if you want the abbreviation used in the final
program listing.
Main Speaker Contact:
Name:_______________________________ Title:__________________________
Ethnic Background:_______________________ Preferred Gender Noun:____________
Organization:______________________________________________
Mailing Address: __________________________________________
City/State/Zip: ______________________________________
Phone: ___________________________
Email:____________________________
Personal or Organization Website: ________________________________
Presentation Information:
1. Session title:________________________________________________________
2. Proposal Narrative
Please address the following in your narrative:
a. Describe the content of the workshop in 500 words.
b. Describe what you hope to accomplish in terms of expected outcomes for the attendees.
Describe the tangible skills, if any, that the attendees will gain from the workshop.
3. Proposal Description
Please write a 2-3 sentence description of your workshop as it will appear in the
program booklet. It is your responsibility to edit and proofread your description before
submitting your proposal.
4. Please write a brief biographical sketch of yourself (100-150 words). Also, please list any copresenters and their affiliations. The main presenter whose info is listed above is responsible for
contacting co-presenters with all pertinent information. All names and titles will be printed exactly as
they are given.
Presentation Style (please check one that best describes your presentation.)
___ Lecture: Didactic presentation, discussion limited to questions and answers.
___ Interactive/Experiential: Involves presenter-directed verbal and/or physical participation.
___ Co-Creation: Participants and presenter create learning content together.
Please submit the form via email to gio@midsouthpeace.org by mail to Gandhi-King Conference, 3573
Southern Ave. Memphis TN 38111 or call 901.725.4990 with any questions.