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Abstracts and Biographies: 
Practice theory

Non-violence and conflict resolution in Australia
Mark Wayland
A recent investigation of the existing literature on violence and violence prevention, found that much attention has been given to levels and types of violence in Australia over the last ten years. However violence is by no means a unitary construct. Violence can be thought of, discussed and characterised in more ways than one. In fact, notions of what constitutes violence are changing, developing and evolving. Prevention and reduction of violence are important goals and promoting a culture of peace and non-violence is an attractive way to conceive of and build, a desirable and functional society to live in.

The management of conflict (and hopefully it's resolution) before conflict becomes violent is the ideal and probably most effective point of intervention. Moreover, the way we deal with conflict as individuals and groups within communities is important in determining whether the end result of conflict is constructive or destructive. Promoting non-violence as a value and practice is both intelligent and forward looking.

This paper will review definitions of violence and give a brief overview of the main trends in Australia. It will introduce the example of M1 and S11 protests as a lead in to discussion of violent and non-violent political dissent. These protests make an interesting and topical discussion subject because the concerns of protesters are legitimate but the expression of that protest has at times been violent. Do the ends justify the means?
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Mark Wayland

Email markfwayland@hotmail.com

Education

The University of Melbourne (1996 - 1999)

Honours/Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology (completed 1999)

Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology and Philosophy (completed 1998)

Recent Employment/Work

Research Assistant

Dr Simon Cropper (QEII Research Fellow)

Vision Laboratory, Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne (2000 - 2001)

Associate Professor Di Bretherton

ICRC, Department of Psychology, University of Melbourne (2001)

International Conflict Resolution Centre

Editor - Working Paper Series

Research Interest - Violence Project

Moderator - Cultures of Peace News Network (CPNN)
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Updated 21 February 2003