Language as Violence, Violence as Language
Phase II: Toronto, Canada
Youth Developing Alternatives to Violence through Media Arts in the Greater Toronto Area
The Origin of LVVL:
In 2004, UNESCO's Section for Youth organized a Youth Forum to explore expressions and perceptions of violence through language. The forum was entitled 'Language as Violence, Violence as Language' and was held in Barcelona as part of the 3rd World Youth Festival. Its objective was to explore and develop 'alternative languages to violence,' particularly through those of arts and culture.
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Exposure to violence is increasing worldwide. Young people are often the ones most affected by it. Violence is not only an action or a practice. There are many dimensions to violence. It is a perception. It is an expression. A way to be seen or heard. A form of domination. A mode of discrimination. A lack, absence or decline of communication. All these dimensions are interdependent: violence is a process that prevents young people from developing their full potential as it impacts negatively on development. Violence is a social, economical, cultural and political issue, instilled in language when it acts as a map that mediates and educates reality through everyday communications.
In 2005, TakingITGlobal, in partnership with UNESCO and the support of the Salesforce.com Foundation, developed a range of initiatives around the theme Language as Violence, Violence as Language. With this project's highly acclaimed success, TakingItGlobal, as part of its local engagement program, has taken the steps in implementing it throughout the Greater Toronto Area of Canada through a new partnership with YMCA and UMAYC, the support of the Laidlaw Foundation and the participation of numerous local youth oriented organizations.
Throughout this upcoming summer, TakingITGlobal will conduct a hands-on workshop series that will bring 60 underserved youth together to discuss violence in their communities and alternatives to violence. Through the workshops, youth will create artistic works around this theme, to be displayed locally and online. TakingITGlobal staff will teach the youth participants digital camera skills, photo-manipulation (Photoshop, etc), image composition, critical thinking and project planning skills, as they mentor participants in artistic expression around issues of violence in their communities.
These initiatives aim to enable young people to discuss the manifold forms of violence that young people encounter, perceive and express in their daily social environment and, most importantly, to actively explore and develop alternative languages to violence. Key themes to be explored are:
- Violence as a Daily Language in Youth Reality
- Violence and Media
- Expression of Violence as a Substitute for Communication
- Alternative Languages to Violence
One of the many ways the participants will get their messages out and be heard is by using TakingItGlobal's online platform as a place to post their artwork, share their personal experiences and thoughts on the issue and post workshop progress reports. It will also be used as a portal for them to find inspiration and information by collaborating with past Language as Violence; Violence as Language participants from around the world.
To get inspired, informed and involved in this issue, visit and join:
- The project page (For all project components, updates, documents, participants inputs)
- The TIG group (To communicate and collaborate around this project or issue)
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