The Canadian Department of Peace Initiative is proud to announce the first recipient of the Women Building Peace Award – Big Congratulations to Nicole Charron.

The Canadian Department of Peace Initiative in Ottawa in cooperation with the Civilian Peace Service Ottawa hosted the first Women Building Peace Event in October 2008 followed by a Conference in 2009.  One of the goals of this endeavour was to provide recognition and real support to the recipient.  The first Women Building Peace Award, a financial gift, was presented to Nicole Charron on February 15, 2009.  The recipient was to be selected based on their ability to demonstrate their qualities as a peace professional according to the competencies laid out by the Civilian Peace Service Canada.

Nicole has worked in conflict resolution for over 20 years as a mediator, trainer, Director of Mediation Services at the Department of National Defence and now as an independent consultant.  Besides her accreditation in facilitation, alternative dispute resolution, third party neutral, coaching and change management she has 2 B.A degrees and a Masters in project management. She is now working on finalizing her doctorate in the field of identity transformation and peace building.

Her Award sponsor was the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution who described Nicole’s motivation as first, to equip individuals to be conflict resolvers and peace builders and second, to make this world a more peaceful and better place to live.

Her personal statement in describing her values and experience demonstrated a strong empathy with the people she works with and a humble dedicated commitment to resolving peace by peaceful means. She stated:

“Whether in Canada or abroad, I could see that the most noble form of power is revealed in the heart of each person when he or she becomes aware of his or her own responsibility to learn and to be reconciled with himself or herself to achieve a lasting mission of peace.”

As a result of her selection as a Woman Building Peace Radio Canada selected her as Personality of the Week where she appeared on TV and radio.

SEE BELOW FOR ACCEPTANCE STATEMENT IN FRENCH AND ENGLISH

Rêver mieux; c’est d’y croire

Plusieurs jours se sont écoulés avant que je ne saisisse le sens véritable du prix « Les femmes construisent la paix » ayant été si fortement submergée d’émotions depuis cet appel téléphonique m’informant que j’en étais le récipiendaire.   Maintenant, je réalise le sens plus élevé que ce prix symbolise pour moi et voici quelques-unes de mes réflexions. Aussi, je retrouve l’élan à poursuivre des projets qui m’habitaient depuis longtemps.

Ce prix me permet de rêver mieux; il élève ma conscience des choix que font ses nombreuses femmes qui comme moi travaillent passionnément à amener la paix dans nos vies. Que ce soit comme praticienne de la paix, mère, épouse, fille, sœur ou voisine, le choix du non jugement et de la compassion, parfois difficile,  demeure l’un des choix les plus nobles à faire : il contribue à un monde meilleur. Malgré les innombrables manifestations de violence sous toutes ses formes, j’ai toujours maintenu cette profonde conviction que tout être humain a la capacité de choisir ce qu’il a de meilleur à offrir. Rêver mieux c’est d’y croire!

Rêver mieux; c’est de prendre conscience de sa responsabilité collective pour créer un monde meilleur

Que ce soit ici ou à l’étranger, j’ai pu voir que le pouvoir le plus noble se manifeste dans le cœur de chacun lorsque celui-ci prend conscience de sa propre responsabilité d’apprendre et de se réconcilier avec lui-même pour accomplir une mission de paix durable. En tant qu’humaniste, j’ai toujours cru que les individus possédaient en eux la façon de résoudre leurs conflits ainsi ceux qu’ils avaient créés en prenant conscience de leurs besoins humains et ceux des autres.  Rêver mieux c’est prendre conscience de notre responsabilité collective pour créer un monde meilleur!

Un pont entre deux grands rêves : mes projets pour l’avenir

Je me permets maintenant de rêver et quelques-uns de mes rêves reviennent sans cesse: participer à la résolution d’un conflit armé pour arrêter une guerre, en prévenir une autre et travailler auprès du Dalaï-lama;  mais j’ai un rêve tout aussi persistant qui serait que mes enfants qui m’inspirent tant partagent le même but que le mien: soit la quête d’un monde meilleur.

Pour construire un pont entre ses deux grands rêves, voici des projets en cours de réalisation. Comme vous le verrez ceux-ci exigent collaboration et enthousiasme et surtout beaucoup de préparation, de recherche et de persévérance.  Nicole Charon

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To dream better, we must believe

Several days passed before I was able to grasp the true meaning of the Women Building Peace Award. I had been feeling overwhelmed with emotion since the telephone call came informing me that I had won. Now, I understand the greater meaning that this award represents for me. Here are some of my reflections. The award has also motivated me to pursue a number of projects that have occupied my thoughts for a long time.

This award allows me to dream better. It raises my consciousness about the choices made by the many women who, like me, work passionately to bring peace to our lives. Whether we are peace practitioners, mothers, spouses, daughters, sisters or neighbours, choosing to be non-judgmental and compassionate, although difficult at times, remains one of the most noble choices we can make: it helps to build a better world. Despite the countless examples of violence in all its forms, I have always believed that every human being has the ability to choose the best of what he or she can offer. To dream better, we must believe this!

To dream better, we must become aware of our collective responsibility to build a better world

Whether in Canada or in other parts of the world, I have seen that the most noble power is found in the heart of each person when he or she becomes aware of his or her responsibility for learning and reconciling with himself or herself in order to achieve a mission of lasting peace. As a humanist, I have always believed that people carry within them the ability to resolve conflicts, including ones they have created, by becoming aware of their own needs and the needs of others. Dreaming better means becoming aware of our collective responsibility to build a better world!

A bridge between two great dreams: my projects for the future

I am now letting myself dream. Several of my dreams keep coming back – taking part in the resolution of an armed conflict to end a war, preventing another war, and working with the Dalai Lama. But I have another dream that is just as persistent: that my children, who inspire me so much, share my goal of seeking a better world.

Nicole Charron