EXPERIENCING GANDHI is an experiential learning opportunity that focuses on Gandhian approaches to nonviolence, peace education, social activism and community engagement. This program of study is held over the course of a week with a theme for each day. It includes opportunities to engage with local community activists, educators and scholars. 

Experiencing Gandhi is a learning experience that: 
  • allows participants to learn from Gandhian educators and activists about Gandhian principles in practice. 
  • combines lecture, discussion, artistic engagement, and visits to communities of Gandhian practice. 
  • introduces participants to Gandhian principles. 
  • engages participants with practicing Gandhians. 
  • encourages participants to think about Gandhian principles in relation to their life and work. 
  • integrates learning through community art, which is a name for an approach that asks people to use many art forms to engage in real social change through building relationships. 
Course Directors:
  • Jill Carr-Harris, PhD — Gandhian organizer and community educator with over 30 years of experience working in India.
  • Reva Joshee, PhD — educator and activist scholar with over 20 years of teaching and research on Gandhian principles in educational practice and policy.
Location:
CESCI, Madurai, India
Questions? Need more information?
If you have any question about the program, please email us at [email protected].  
Picture
Pictured: Dr. Jill Carr-Harris, Dr. Reva Joshee, and the participants of Experiencing Gandhi 2025
Special Elements:
Shramdan
  • Every day will begin with all participants helping to clean the grounds and buildings. We will explain on day one (Monday) the importance of everyone being involved in the labour of maintaining our community. 
Arts based project
  • Education from a Gandhian perspective means engaging the whole self in learning – mind, body, heart, and spirit. We use a community art approach to engage participants in a project that will help to bring the learning together with their whole self. We will begin the project on day one and provide some time each day for participants to engage with their art. On the last day we hope participants will choose to share what they have created as a way to talk about what they are taking home with them. 
Community visits
  • In advance of visits, we will spend time talking about appropriate protocol during visits and afterwards we will debrief the experience and the learning. 
Costs for the course: 
Pay what you can
  • We believe that this course is worth $1,000; however, you can pay what you can. Your fees support us to offer education and community programs to create a world of peace and nonviolence.
Your own additional costs
  • We estimate approximately $500-700 for accommodation, meals and local transportation
Photo Album from Experiencing Gandhi in November 2025:
Brochure for Experiencing Gandhi 2026:
To view brochure in full screen, click HERE.
We'd love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected].