Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

My Armenian experience suggests ten principles of social action

By Armen Gakavian - posted Friday, 21 May 2004


The use of violence creates winners and losers, which sows the seeds for counter violence.

This brings us to the eighth principle of social action, which is that social action must always seek, as far as is possible, to create a win-win outcome for all. The oppressors must always be given the opportunity to cease their oppressive behaviour, to recover their own humanity. Thus the aim, method and outcome of social action must be consciously geared towards transformation, rather than punishment. I have tried to keep this principle in mind in my own dealings with people in power in Armenia. In many cases, I have found that a mixture of patient perseverance, firm confrontation and steps taken to show that the outcome would be to the benefit of all, have opened the way to working together towards change.

The ninth principle of social action is that the process of social action is as important as the outcome. The values developed and skills learned during the process of social action are valuable in and of them selves, whether or not the desired outcome is achieved. Final year students at Armenia’s Center for Leadership Development are required to dream of, plan and implement a community project. As I help students through this process, I point them to the importance of what they gain along the way, explaining that the skills that they have developed will allow them to dream, plan and implement other projects in the future.

Advertisement

The tenth, and final, principle of social action is that, although the outcome of social action is not always guaranteed in the short term, persistent social action sows the seeds for future social change. What we do now may simply be our contribution to the long-term process of social change. However tempting it may be to throw in the towel and walk away, to do so will make it harder for those who come after us. Every small action taken, and every individual and group mobilised, prepares the way for social change, either now or in the future.

As I work to bring about social change in Armenia, I find in these principles the strength to start small and think big. I find the motivation to stand alongside those who love their country and their fellow human beings unconditionally. And I find the hope with which to invest in the people who are committed to bringing about change, driven by a vision to build a better future for Armenia and the world.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All

Article edited by Ian Miller.
If you'd like to be a volunteer editor too, click here.

This article was first published in Peace Writes, May 2004, published by the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Dr Armen Gakavian is a graduate of the Department of Government at Sydney University, and a CPACS life member. He has recently returned from Armenia where he spent an extended time working among university students, teaching sociology and Christian spirituality, consulting with NGOs and empowering the young generation to see the possibility of social change. He is currently teaching a course on social theory at the Macquarie Christian Studies Institute, and plans to return to Armenia later in the year.

Related Links
Armenia's Center for Leadership Development
Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies
Article Tools
Comment Comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy