IIT FAQ

International Intensive Training Frequently Asked Questions:

What is an IIT?

  • A residential workshop
  • An experiential workshop for developing fluency in Nonviolent Communication
  • An opportunity to learn and practice Nonviolent Communication with CNVC certified trainers
  • A safe environment for personal growth
  • A time to make deep connections
  • A group of people from different cultures working together toward transformed relationships and social systems

What will it be like?

  • Unpredictable
  • Informal
  • Challenging and supportive

How will I learn?

  • By listening to presentations about various aspects of Nonviolent Communication
  • By participating in small groups and through informal practice with other participants during meals, walks, etc.
  • By remembering the purpose of Nonviolent Communication
  • By contributing to other participants and receiving their contributions

What does an IIT cost and what do the fees include?

  • IIT costs consist of Tuition plus Accommodations (room and board and facility usage fee).
  • IIT Tuition is 1,500 US$.
  • Accommodation charges vary from one facility to another, but are never optional. Even if you do not sleep or dine at the IIT facility, there will be an Accommodation fee. This is separate from and in addition to the IIT Tuition.
  • Meals begin with dinner on the first day of the training and include lunch on the last day of the training.
  • Additional meals due to early arrival or late departure are not handled by CNVC. Similarly, CNVC does not handle arrangements for lodging before the IIT check-in time nor after the IIT check-out time. Arrangement for these accommodations, and payment for them, is the responsibility of the individual participant.
  • Transportation to and from the training location is the responsibility of the individual participant.

What is the Daily Schedule & Structure?


(Subject to Change)
8:00- 8:30 am Breakfast
9:00- 9:30 am Remembering*
9:30- 9:45 am Logistics and NVC offerings
10:00-12:00 Session One
12:00-12:45 pm Lunch

1:30-3:00 pm Session Two
3:15-5:00 pm Session Three
5:15-5:55 pm Celebrations
6:00-6:45 pm Supper/Dinner
7:30-9:30 pm Session Four

*The Remembering Sessions help participants be aware of the purpose underlying NVC. Participants who wish to share may express this remembering with a short exercise, a ceremony, poem, musical selection, a reading, etc. If you would enjoy doing so, please bring materials to contribute to the Remembering Sessions.

What is the Format and Structure?

To provide participants with a choice of learning opportunities IIT’s typically operate in a manner that is similar to the principles of Open Space Technology. For more information about the principles see www.openspaceworld.org

What are the start and end times?

On (start) day 1: Dinner is served. The scheduled start of the program (first meeting) is at 7:00 pm (19:00hrs).
On (last) day 10:The last meeting ends before lunch. Lunch is still included.

What Payment options do I have?

We request payment in US dollars ONLY.
We accept all credit cards (prefer visa or master card), PayPal, money orders, cheques or traveller's cheques and bank wire transfers.

How to apply for an IIT?

Check the iit schedule. Find the IIT that interests you and download an Application Packet for that IIT which contains additional information plus an IIT Application.
Fill out the application form and send it with payment to the address indicated in the Packet. Please print or type, because incomplete or illegible application forms will not be processed. Applications may be sent by postal mail, fax or email. (with email do not include your credit card info)

Applications received without payment will not be processed, unless you are applying for a scholarship and your application is accompanied by a Scholarship Request Form and is received at the CNVC office before the scholarship application deadline. (See iit scholarships on this page).

CNVC will reserve your place at an IIT based on the sequence in which applications are received at the office and processed. Payment in full is due four weeks prior to the IIT start-date. Registrations that have not been fully paid by that due-date may be cancelled by CNVC. Application forms received after the due-date must be accompanied by full payment (not just the minimum 100 US$) in order to be processed.

Once an IIT is filled, CNVC creates a waiting list. If the IIT is full when your application and payment arrives at CNVC, (1) your name is automatically placed on the waiting list in the order received, and (2) your payment is not processed. CNVC will not cash your check or run your credit card unless/until you are promoted from the waiting list and registered into the IIT. There is no guarantee that a space will open up.

CNVC will notify you of the status of your application. Notification is usually sent 1-7 days after the application is received. Please wait until your registration has been confirmed before making travel reservations.

Can I record the sessions?

Please do not plan to film or record any part of any session at the IIT. Such recording often interferes with the group process or thwarts other participants' expectation of trust and privacy.

How to do advance planning for an IIT?

IITs often fill to maximum enrollment capacity weeks or months before the event. Most people who send an IIT application do receive a seat at the training: however, this is not guaranteed. Since transportation to and from the IIT is your responsibility and may be costly, please wait to book your transportation until AFTER you have received confirmation of your acceptance for the program.

What is the Waiting list procedure?

Once an IIT is filled, CNVC creates a waiting list. If the IIT is full when your application and payment arrives at CNVC, (1) your name is automatically placed on the waiting list in the order received, and (2) your payment is not processed. CNVC will not cash your check or run your credit card unless/until you are promoted from the waiting list and registered into the IIT. There is no guarantee that a space will open up.

What are the IIT cancellations and refunds policies?

CNVC incurs significant expenses with every application processed, so we request that you refrain from applying for an IIT unless your plans are firm, and you are confident of your ability to attend.
In the event that you cancel your IIT application, or do not complete the registration process, CNVC will ask how you want us to handle any monies you have already sent us for the IIT. At your request, prepaid TUITION fees (minus the $100 nonrefundable deposit)  may be donated to CNVC to defray administrative expenses, or refunded. Most ACCOMMODATION charges can be reversed: prepaid accommodation fees can then be donated or refunded as above. However, please note that some accommodation fees are irreversible. CNVC does not refund any fees incurred on your behalf that are not refundable to CNVC.

Does CNVC offer financial support?

CNVC gives a limited number of scholarships to IITs. For more information about scholarships, download the Scholarship Request Form. Scholarship Request Forms must be received by the CNVC office at least 3 (three) months prior to the beginning of the training to be considered.
Download and print an IIT Scholarship Request Form. There are several ways to do this:

(1) 2008 iit scholarship request form in english/MS Word (.doc) (36Kb)
(2) 2008 iit scholarship request form in english/Adobe (.pdf) (568Kb)

I still have a question?

You can connect with the IIT Department
Via email: IIT Department
Via phone: +1 505 244 4041 or 1 800 255 7696 (in the USA only)
Via fax: +1 505 247 0414
Or postal: 5600 San Francisco Rd NE, Suite A, Albuquerque NM 87109