100 participants from the University of Liberal Arts, Bangladesh (ULAB) took part in a webinar during the launch of the On-Line Certificate Course on Nonviolent Communication organized by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti on November 19, 2020.
Initiating the discussion, Prof. Jude William R. Genilo, Professor and Head of MSJ-ULAB spoke about his organization and the value of tolerance the institution promotes. He said, “Tolerance is about opening one’s heart to others. It is about treating all humanely and goes with courage”. Terming non-violence communication as “compassionate and collaborative communication”, he further stressed on the importance of ‘negotiation and dialogue’. “The goal is to identify shared needs and being collectivistic, which develops cultural connectivity.
Echoing a similar sentiment, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director GSDS spoke about the atrocities against the vulnerable groups and said that non-violent communication can address multiple issues of conflicts amicably.
Sharing inputs on the course, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan futher said that the course is aimed to understand the needs of others and engages the participants in tools for negotiation. Terming it a “Life-skill learners self capacity building programme”, he underlined the essence of engaging in dialogue and compassion.
Drawing references from the Indian and Western philosophies, Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer GSDS spoke of methods that improves interpersonal relationships, increases one’s ability to express oneself clearly and develop compassion using skills and tools of non-violent communication. He said, “Nonviolent Communication helps you resolve your deepest conflicts within yourself and with others through the power of empathy, respect, gratitude, compassion, being non-judgmental”, adding, “There are times when we find ourselves resorting to criticism, insult, and blame when trying to resolve conflicts, which only leaves everyone hurting, angry, or depressed. Non-violent communication can transform yourself as well as difficult situations positively by learning how to focus more on treating people with a more profound respect”.
Earlier perspectives were shared by M. Farzana Akther and Marioum Akther of ULAB who necessitated the need to realize how we communicate with others and should address issues with compassion.