Six-week online course on Unarmed Civilian Defense (UCD)

Event Date: 12th May 2025
Location: Internet


What should unarmed civilians do when militaries attack or occupy their communities? What alternatives do they have beyond fighting back with violence?

This is one of the most urgent questions facing the peace and anti-war movement — and the global community more broadly. In today’s increasingly militarized world, the need for practical, life-affirming alternatives is more critical than ever.

We invite you to join us for a six-week online course on Unarmed Civilian Defense (UCD), beginning May 12, 2025, offered by World BEYOND War.

 About the course: Unarmed Civilian Defense – Nonviolent Alternatives to War

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to Unarmed Civilian Defense (UCD) — a people-powered, nonviolent approach to protecting communities and resisting violence without weapons. You will explore how UCD has been used to resist military force, invasion, occupation, dictatorship, and war — with case studies from both past and present, including Colombia, Palestine, South Sudan, and Ukraine.

Grounded in real-world examples, practical tools, and visionary thinking, this course shows how civilians are actively preventing violence, de-escalating conflict, and creating space for peace — without relying on armed force.

 Click here to learn more and register for the course
Watch a short video about the course

Why this course matters

From Gaza to Sudan to Ukraine, armed conflict continues to devastate lives, communities, and ecosystems. Yet across the world, ordinary—extraordinary—people are using nonviolent strategies and resistance to save lives, oppose war, and build peace.

This course shows that another path is not only possible — but often more effective, more sustainable, more responsive, and less harmful to both people and the planet. It equips you with the tools, knowledge, and community to understand and support that path.


 What you will gain

  • Insight into the theory, strategy, and practice of nonviolent action
  • Case studies from real-world unarmed civilian defence efforts — past and present
  • Practical tools to apply nonviolence in your work and daily lives
  • Access to a global learning community of peacebuilders, practitioners, and changemakers
  •  Certificate of completion for those who complete six optional assignments


Who is facilitating the course

This course is led by a diverse team of educators and practitioners with decades of field and research experience in nonviolent alternatives to war:

  • John Reuwer, MD (USA) – Physician, long-time advocate for nonviolent conflict resolution, and Board Member of World BEYOND War. John has served with peace teams in Haiti, Colombia, Central America, Palestine/Israel, Ukraine, and several U.S. cities. He also worked in South Sudan with Nonviolent Peaceforce.
  • Karem Kennedy, PhD (Australia) – Peace researcher, educator, and activist. Karem holds a Master’s in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Sydney and a Doctorate from the University of New England (Australia) focused on alternatives to war.
  • Tareq Layka, MSc (Syria) – Researcher, lecturer, and consultant with a background in peacebuilding, global public health, and education. Fellow at the School of International Futures and working with the Peace Leadership Collaborative. He holds an MSc in Global Health, Social Justice, and Public Policy from King’s College London.
  • Marcellina Priadi, MSc (UK) – Coordinator of the Unarmed Civilian Protection and Accompaniment (UCP/A) Community of Practice. Marcellina has worked in Sudan and South Sudan, holds an MSSc in Peace and Conflict Studies from Uppsala University, and is a PhD candidate researching international interventions and civilian self-protection.

More facilitators will be announced soon.


 When and where


 How the course works

The course includes:

  • Six core modules, self-paced and accessible from anywhere
  • Three optional live Zoom sessions with facilitators and fellow learners
  • A final interactive strategic simulation to apply what you have learned

Live session dates are available on the course webpage. Simulation details are coming soon.


What past participants are saying

“This course opened my eyes to the myths that wars solve problems. I learned about many alternatives to war that have been researched around the world — often with higher success rates. The course gave me the confidence to speak out in a way I never could before.”
— Sylvia Vriesendorp, Participant, UCD 2024

“When we finally grasp that war can be abolished, there is so much to learn about how to achieve it. World BEYOND War is a great place to start that journey.”
— Participant, UCD 2024

“The Unarmed Civilian Defense Course went way beyond my expectations. The game at the end was an outstanding way to put into practice what we learned — BRAVO!”
— Participant, UCD 2024

“Invaluable resources and practical applications for anyone concerned about preventing or resisting violent conflict. War is not inevitable.”
— Participant, UCD 2024


 Ready to join us?

We hope you will join us — and many others from around the world — for what promises to be an informative and inspiring six-week journey into the power of nonviolence.
 Click here to register now and secure your spot.


We look forward to learning with you on this important journey.

In solidarity,

Phill


Phill Gittins, PhD
Education Director
World BEYOND War
[email protected]

Find out more – call Caroline on 01722 321865 or email us.