Expert In Nonviolent Conflict To Visit New Zealand Next Week

Award-winning Television Series "A Force More Powerful" Premiers in October

AUCKLAND, Sept. 24, 2001/MediaNet International-AsiaNet/-- An American authority on strategic nonviolent action, Jack DuVall, will arrive in New Zealand next week for a series of forums and special screenings of the award-winning documentary series A Force More Powerful: A Century of Nonviolent Conflict as well as talks related to the series companion book, which he co-authored.

Those who believe that violence is an effective means of advancing their cause are perversely and tragically misguided, DuVall said in the wake of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. In the past 100 years, dozens of popular movements using nonviolent strategies have achieved power and produced justice and human rights, DuVall said, while those using terror or armed insurrection have almost always failed.

From Washington D.C., DuVall, executive producer and co-author, will speak at events across New Zealand.

DuVall is a television executive and veteran writer who is also co-author of the series companion book. A former counterintelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force, his writing includes speeches for presidential candidates in four national campaigns, and articles that have appeared in literary journals and major newspapers.

His primary message is that if violence is to be removed from the world's conflicts in this new century, it's essential to spread the knowledge more widely than ever before of how nonviolent sanctions can be an effective means of fighting for people's rights or interests. Too many people who face injustice or arbitrary controls, still mistakenly believe that violence is the best way to advance their cause.

The three-part television series A Force More Powerful and the book both tell the story of how nonviolent power was crucial in overthrowing dictators, foiling military invaders, and securing human rights in country after country over the past ten decades. Using nonviolent weapons instead of armed insurrection, civilian resisters overcame repression and paved the way for freedom and democracy in nations on five continents.

Narrated by Oscar-winner Ben Kingsley, A Force More Powerful was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Historical Program in the News and Documentary division. It also won the coveted Gold Hugo Award at the Chicago International Television Competition. A feature-length film version of the series won the Gold Special Jury Award at the WorldFest Houston International Film Festival and the Best Documentary award at the Santa Monica International Film Festival.

The documentary television series A Force More Powerful: A Century of Nonviolent Conflict, written, produced and directed by Steve York, would be premiered in New Zealand on Sundance Channel (Sky TV) over two consecutive Sunday nights beginning 21st October. The companion book of the same name, by Peter Ackerman and Jack DuVall is published in hardback by Palgrave and distributed by Macmillan RRP: $81.95.

Jack DuVall will be touring New Zealand from the 1st 3rd October 2001. He is highly recommended for interview. Tour dates are as follows:

Auckland 1 October Christchurch - 2 October Wellington 3 October

EVENTS

Monday 1 October - Auckland

6.30pm Screening and Forum Main Auditorium, Albany Campus, Massey University

Special Guest: The Hon Matt Robson Sponsored by the Centre for Justice and Peace Development, Peace Foundation and Amnesty International Enquiries: 443 9799 x 9052

Tuesday 2 October - Christchurch

6.00pm Screening and Forum Auditorium, Christchurch Girls High School 10 Matai Street, Christchurch Introduced by: Jim Tully, Head of Journalism, University of Canterbury Sponsored by the Peace Foundations Disarmament & Security Centre and Amnesty International Enquiries: 348 1350

Wednesday 3 October - Wellington

12.00 noon National Press Club Screening and Lunch Beehive Theatrette, Parliament House Wellington To be introduced by The Hon Matt Robson RSVP: gjfuller@ihug.co.nz

ENDS

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