IAESDP Membership
Ready to join a global network of like-minded professionals?
Who This Is For
Empowerment Self Defense professionals and organizations who believe that:
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The field is stronger when shared standards and accountability exist
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Professional credibility should be earned, demonstrated, and protected
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Growth should be intentional, ethical, and sustainable, not chaotic
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Collaboration across methodologies, regions, and identities strengthens—rather than weakens—the work
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ESD deserves recognition as a legitimate, professional field, not an informal or unregulated practice
It is for practitioners who want to contribute to an industry that is clearly defined, externally respected, and capable of engaging seriously with partners such as educators, employers, researchers, funders, and policymakers.
Who This Is Not For
IAESDP is not for those seeking:
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A marketing badge without professional responsibility
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A single approved curriculum or ideological uniformity
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Control over others’ programs, pricing, or teaching models
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A race-to-the-bottom approach to training quality or instructor preparation
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An organization that exists only to react to crises rather than prevent them
This association does not exist to centralize power, dilute professional standards, or legitimize unsafe or unethical practice.
We offer Empowerment Individual Membership (discounted pricing based on financial need) and International Tiered Pricing. To learn more about these, see below.
If you think you qualify for Empowerment or International Tiered Membership, join with the relevant option below. As ESD Professionals, we trust that you will select the option that best describes your financial need. These funds help us to bring you, our Members, the services and support that you need to grow your ESD Careers, so, we also trust that as your career takes off, you will select the tiers that best represent that growth.
We welcome everyone working in the ESD profession, whether you are an instructor, an instructor-trainer, staff, executive, entrepreneur, volunteer, researcher, writer, artist, or advocate. If you are working in the violence-prevention arena and believe in the principles of ESD, the IAESDP is your home!
It is our goal to find and bring together into this global collaborative every ESD professional in the world. Starting with you!
If you are a violence-prevention professional and are not familiar with Empowerment Self Defense, please check out the About ESD page and see what it is all about!
Membership Benefits
Here are some great reasons to become a member of the International Association of ESD Professionals.
Individual Memberships
There is a pricing Tier to fit everyone, including Financial Assistance when you need it most!
Become an Individual Member
Complete your Membership Application and join today! Maximize your access to our services and partnerships, and become a voting member as we build this Industry, together!
Organization Memberships
Whether you are a grassroots NGO, a large for-profit corporation, or fall somewhere in between, there is a pricing option for you.
A total of 3 individuals from your organization will be Member Representatives. Member Representatives receive all the benefits of individual membership and are voting members of the Association. For your other employees/contractors, they will be qualified to receive discounts on membership, the credential exam, and event registrations.
Benefits for the Organization
Event Discounts: 20% Off Conference Booth Fees, 3 VIP Passes/Year
Features: Your organization will be featured on the International ESD Directory and in future promotional materials and publications as they launch.
Benefits for Organization Representatives
Additional Discounts: 25% Off Credential Exam (in lieu of Individual Membership Discounts), 20% Off Event Registrations
Benefits for Additional Members of Organization
If you’re thinking … “What about everyone else at my organization?” we’ve got you covered!
Discounts: Employees/Contractors in your organization who have not been made Member Representatives will receive the following discounts:
- 20% Off Individual Memberships
- 15% Off Credential Exam (Membership Required for this Discount)
- 15% Off Event Registrations (Membership Not Required for this Discount)
Become an Organizational Member
Help us make Empowerment Self Defense the standard by which all self-defense is taught!