O 092022Z MAR 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS STATE 022024 
 
 
PLEASE PASS PAO, IRC PLEASE PASS TO AMERICAN CORNERS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KIRC KPAO OEXC OIIP OPRC PREL
SUBJECT: AMERICA.GOV INFOCUS TOPIC FOR MARCH:"ALTERNATIVES 
TO VIOLENCE." 
 
REF: E.O. 12958: N/A 
 
¶1. SUMMARY. America.gov's "In Focus" topic for March 
explores how grassroots organizations around the globe are 
working to confront violence in their communities.  The 
eJournal USA examines the intellectual and religious roots 
of the tradition of nonviolence as it has been practiced 
globally. To assist posts with local programming, a 
PowerPoint presentation will be posted on INFOCENTRAL 
highlighting how groups around the world use traditional 
communication tools and emerging technologies to promote 
alternatives to violence.  END SUMMARY. 
 
------------------------------- 
ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE 
------------------------------- 
 
¶2. Starting March 4, America.gov will highlight innovative 
ways civil society is rejecting violence, promoting 
peaceful resolution of conflicts and building social 
networks to effect change. We will showcase a variety of 
programs and initiatives around the world that offer 
models for peaceful reform. 
 
¶3. Resources: 
 
A) The March eJournal USA on nonviolent paths to social 
change will offer insights into how new technology is 
offering new tools for collective action as well as 
historical perspectives on nonviolent methods to promote 
change and reform. Authors include Clay Shirky, Kathy 
Partridge, David Talbot, Ira Chernus, John Horgan, David 
¶P. Barash, Stephen Zunes and Howard Cincotta. 
 
B) A PowerPoint presentation highlighting how various 
groups based in different regions are organizing and 
mobilizing to counter violence will be available at 
https://infocentral.state.gov/outreach-tools/ power-points 
The presentation offers posts a variety of scenarios that 
could be used to engage local audiences in a dialogue on 
methods to counter violence in their own communities. 
 
C) The America.gov democracy page will feature 
(http://democracy.america.gov/democracy/globa l/index.html): 
 
-- A video excerpt in Spanish and English of an interview 
with Oscar Morales, who mobilized 12 million people in a 
global protest against the activities of the Revolutionary 
Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) via the social networking 
tool Facebook.com. 
 
-- Profiles of specific programs around the world 
dedicated to enhancing mutual understanding, promoting 
peaceful conflict resolution and offering alternatives to 
violence. 
 
-- An interview and podcast featuring Sudanese musician 
Emmanuel Jal, a former child soldier in the Sudan People's 
Liberation Army (SPLA), who now is using his musical 
talent to promote nonviolence. 
 
-- A profile and photo gallery of Eastern Mennonite 
University's Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. 
 
¶4.  Elements of the featured topic of "Alternatives to 
Violence" and eJournal USA will be translated into 
Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Persian. 
 
¶5.  For forward planning, future America.gov "In Focus" 
topics are: 
 
April - Economics of Energy: America.gov will explore the 
new energy economy and the potential for investments in 
alternative energies to transform the economy.  The 
eJournal USA will look at the economics of carbon-based 
energy. 
 
May - The International Financial System: The eJournal USA 
will explore various proposals for managing the 
international financial system. America.gov will tell the 
human story of how people around the world are dealing 
with the various issues raised in the eJournal in their 
own lives and businesses. 
 
¶6. Minimize Considered. 
 
 
CLINTON