DONT WALK 2013 is proud to support the Non Violence Project (NVP) as this year’s
nominated charity. Since its establishment in the wake of the 9/11 bombings twelve
years ago, DONT WALK has supported a number of charities ranging from Invisible
Children to Zamcog, donating upwards of £110, 000. This year, DONT WALK is delighted
to be returning to its roots in some small way by supporting a charity that aims to
anticipate and tackle violence at its source.

Founded in 1993, The Non Violence Project has educated and trained millions of youth
teachers, sport coaches and volunteers in countries all over the world. The NVP
advocates three different training programs, which include Schools for Peace,
Sports for Peace and Youth for Peace. While these programs have identical
structures and themes, they target children and youth of all different ages.
Importantly, in supporting the Non Violence Project, DONT WALK will for the first
time be supporting a charity that is operating on a local level: St Andrews has
become the platform for the European launch of the Non Violence University Project
(NVP-U), which aims to establish a stronger relationship between universities and
their local communities. This provides DONT WALK with a tremendous opportunity to
see and ultimately participate in change on a local level. Already recognisable
throughout the town by its iconic ‘knotted gun’ symbol – created by Swedish artist
Carl Fredrik Reiterswärd, in tribute to the life and work of John Lennon – The Non
Violence Project, and in turn DONT WALK, hope to raise awareness for the work that
must be done both within and without St Andrews.

The collaboration between DONT WALK and the Non Violence Project is one that works
extraordinarily well on a number of levels. One of the most notable similarities
between the two is that both appreciate the necessity to target youth; they do,
after all, represent the future. Moreover, DONT WALK is a young project; it was
created by university students, and has continued to remain a solely student-run
show. We believe that this adds a personal dimension to our partnership - a young
organisation supporting a foundation that targets youth. Beyond anything, both
organizations understand that awareness is best raised through unconventional and
creative means. DONT WALK reacted to the violent attacks of 9/11 with the medium of
art; similarly, the Non Violence Project uses the arts on a daily basis to fight
violence. Self-expression is vital in this process: The Non Violence Project uses
sports, music, art and various other methods of self-expression to motivate young
people and promote a valuable alternative to violent behaviour.

DONT WALK is delighted to be a partner of the Non Violence Project, a foundation
that stands for so many things we believe in. The opportunity that we have to act
as ambassadors for the Non Violence Project’s cause - and further to financially
support the programmes that facilitate meaningful change among youth - is invaluable
to DONT WALK 2013. The Non Violence Project has understood something
fundamental; that education is the most powerful weapon to induce change, and
DONT WALK is privileged to be a part of this stepping-stone to a greater good.