Inspired by the famous Non-Violence sculptures around the world — also known as the Knotted Gun sculptures — the Non-Violence Project is dedicated to encouraging youth around the world to solve conflicts through conflict management, self-esteem building and non-violence.
In 1997, when Riz first interviewed His Holiness The Dalai Lama at his home in Dharamsala, in the mountains of northern India, the pair discussed the concept of non-violence. Only four years before that interview, in 1993, The Non-Violence Project (NVP) had been registered by its founders, Jan Hellman and Rolf Skjödebrand - who have since become dear friends of Riz.
“The Dalai Lama told me that non-violence was not simply an absence of violence, but that it required an active approach to compassion that would prevent violence. 16 years later, in Stockholm, Sweden, a friend of mine, Therese Engström, tied a cloth band around my right wrist that read ‘NON VIOLENCE: The Non Violence Project,’ alongside the iconic image of a knotted gun – to this day, that band remains there, tied to my wrist.”
- Riz Khan
Riz would soon become one of the Ambassadors of NVP – joining other top names including: the widow of John Lennon, Yoko Ono; his former Beatles members, Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr; and a host of other international stars who recognize that changing the hearts and minds of the young is the real key to a world without violence.
Since its conception, NVP has reached out to over six million young people, teachers, and sport coaches worldwide, providing them with the tools necessary to pass on crucial esteem-building and conflict management skills. Having received over 70 awards for best practices, NVP successfully connects with varied organizations across dozens of industries to extend its reach as far as possible.
Click on to learn more about The Non-Violence Project!