The Florida Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute For Nonviolence is a state agency legislated into being by the State of Florida. The Institute was created in 1993 as the State of Florida's response to the significant public need to develop methods in addition to current law enforcement responses to curb the use of violence and encourage the nonviolent management of social conflict.
The Institute is dedicated to research, education and training in the principles, philosophy and methodology of Kingian nonviolence. It is a unique public entity promoting:
- Knowledge through formal and informal education, training and assistance to
- involve youth, state and local governments, and adults of all cultures in the preservation and application of the philosophy and techniques of Kingian
- nonviolence to their daily encounters at home, work and in their communities at all levels to promote the
- goal of Dr. King's "beloved community" through the elimination of the social ills of racism, poverty, and militarism and the expansion of social justice through nonviolent means.
Training provided by the Florida Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute For Nonviolence is designed to provide comprehensive information on the skills necessary for effective conflict resolution and to provide a basic foundation for understanding issues and problems facing individuals, groups, and communities. The primary goal of training is to make students "ambassadors for peace" by empowering them to take responsibility for where they live and allow them to develop effective, healthy inter-personal and community relations.
Orientation Workshop (4 hours). An orientation workshop is designed to be a basic introduction to the field of nonviolence. It provides definitions of nonviolence and acquaints the participant with the advantages of using nonviolence in resolving conflict.
Two-Day Training Core (12 hours). A two-day training core seminar is designed as an introductory course in Kingian nonviolence for adults. in addition to covering all aspects of the Orientation Workshop, it provides a summary of the main themes of nonviolence.
Youth Training Workshop (16 hours). The Youth Training Workshop is specifically designed for children attending middle or high school. It teaches nonviolence based on concepts and ideals easily identified with by children within this age bracket.
Leadership Seminar (32 hours). The Leadership Seminar provides an in-depth study of nonviolence. It includes all information covered in the Orientation Workshop and the Two-Day Training Core. Its main focus is to provide leadership and conflict resolution skills based on the Kingian philosophy.
Training of Trainers (160 hours). The Training of Trainers Program is a detailed study of Dr. King and his nonviolence philosophy. In addition to building on the material covered by all other programs offered by the Institute, it takes an in-depth look at the history of the civil rights movement and the role played by nonviolence in effecting permanent change through sound leadership. Upon graduation from the program, participants are certified as Kingian Nonviolence Trainers/Practitioners and are expected to actively participate in furthering the nonviolence movement through training and other initiatives.
For more information, contact:
John Jones, Executive Director
Florida Martin Luther King, Junior
Institute For Nonviolence
5220 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida 33138
305/751-4115
305/751-4048 (fax)
jjones@mdcc.edu.