Date: May 26, 2010

Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm

Location: Room 308, West Block, Parliament Hill

MPs and senators are asked to RSVP to Senator Mobina Jaffer at (613) 992-0189.

We ask that supporters of a Canadian Department of Peace request the presence of their MPs at this event to discuss the opportunities and challenges that this initiative offers for domestic and international conflict resolution and its relationship with government plans involving the economy, military expenditures and peace-building projects.

THERE IS NOW AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MPS TO SIGN ON TO MOTION M-463 TO ENDORSE THE PRINCIPLE OF THE BILL. THE MOTION READS:

M-463 — November 2, 2009 — Mr. Siksay (Burnaby—Douglas) — That the House endorse the principle of the establishment of a Department of Peace as part of the structure of the federal government and cabinet with a mandate to advocate for the non-violent resolution of conflict at home and abroad, the professionalization of peace work by Canadians, and the development of a culture of peace in Canada and internationally.

M-463 — 2 novembre 2009 — M. Siksay (Burnaby—Douglas) — Que la Chambre appuie le principe de la création d’un ministère de la Paix au sein du gouvernement fédéral et du Cabinet avec pour mandat de promouvoir la résolution non violente des conflits au Canada et à l’étranger, la professionnalisation du travail de paix accompli par les Canadiens et le développement d’une culture de la paix au Canada et à l’échelle internationale.

To read in full Bill in English or French, please go to:

<http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=4116951&Language=e&Mode=1>

CDPI -CPSC MEDIA RELEASE: 30th Sept. 2009

For an interview with the proponents of the Bill, for the English version, please go to:

http://cid-9ed012460ecdafc3.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/DEPARTMENT OF PEACE – RCI – THE LINK – OCT 15 2009.mp3

Pour la version française, voir:

http://cid-9ed012460ecdafc3.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/MINISTÈRE DE LA PAIX – RCI – TAM TAM CANADA – 19 OCT 2009 .mp3

Private Members Bill for Department of Peace by Hon Bill Siksay , MP (Douglas-Burnaby)

The first ever legislative Bill for a Department of Peace in the Canadian Parliament, BILL C-447,  was tabled on Sept. 30 in the Parliament as a Private Members Bill by the NDP MP Bill Siksay (Douglas-Burnaby), and seconded by the Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis (Scarborough-Agincourt). The Bill calls for a Federal Department of Peace, headed by a Cabinet level Minister.

The proposed Department in the Bill is along the lines of a Model legislative Bill proposed by the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative(CDPI) . Since 2004, CDPI has been promoting a strategic focus for sustainable peace within the Federal Government, working towards a Culture of Peace at home and abroad and through its Minister provide the Prime Minister with advise and recommendations on effective conflict transformation through nonviolent means.The Bill advocates through the creation of a Civilian Peace Service a specialized cadre of peace professionals, a new form of capacity building trained in prevention, mediation, and reconciliation at cutting edge of problems, instead of current sole reliance on “suits” and “boots”. Diplomats and Soldiers are not generally trained to work on dealing with the problems of root causes of conflicts at the ground level. Additional elements of the Bill seek within this Department a special profile on important issues such as Nuclear Disarmament, Human and Economic Rights, Peace Education and Prevention of Violence in Canada.

CDPI is a part of the world wide movement of Global Alliance of Departments/Ministries for Peace with civil society representation from 40 countries. Its fourth Summit was held this month in San Jose, Costa Rica where President Arias announced the establishment of a Ministry for Justice and Peace making Costa Rica the third country with a Peace Department. Nepal and Solomon Islands are other two countries with Ministries for Peace. This is a tremendous progress for the Global movement in having convinced in five years the governments in three countries the usefulness of a Peace Ministry in the government.

We see the Canadian Private Members Bill as an important initiative that will revitalize Canada’s role as a global peacebuilder.

CDPI has currently 10 active chapters (and additional 2 without chairs) across Canada and has been endorsed by over 30 prominent peace and social justice organizations. For more information, please visit: www.departmentofpeace.ca or contact CDPI National Co-Chairs: Dr. Saul Arbess (250-383-5878) and Theresa Dunn(613-897-5055), and in Ottawa CDPI Co-founder Dr. Bill Bhaneja (613-244-1979)

For more information on Civilian Peace Service Canada (CPSC) visit the web-site www.civilianpeaceservice.ca, or contact CPSC Co-Chairs Gordon Breedyk (gbreedyk@rogers.com and 613-721-9829) or Hans Sinn (hans1nn@xplornet.com and 613-264-8833).

 COMMUNIQUÉ

September 21, 2009

 4th Global Alliance Summit for Ministries and Departments of Peace

San Jose, Costa Rica, Sept. 17-21, 2009

 The 4th Global Alliance (GA) Summit was a resounding success with 200 participants attending from more than 40 countries, enhanced by a live streaming video link to the world. The Summit was inspired by Costa Rica’s declaration, earlier this month, of a Minister of Justice and Peace, making it the third country in the world to have such a Ministry. The President of Costa Rica, Dr. Oscar Arias, addressed the opening of the Summit, and told us that:

 “The task is only just starting; the creation of a Ministry for Peace…is not the final achievement, merely the making of a road to achieve sustainable order that would allow resolution of human conflicts without violence.”

The mission of the GA is to support the establishment of Ministries and Departments of Peace in all nations. The Summit, in order to prepare itself to work with governments to build national infrastructures for peace, heard from experts in the fields of : Unarmed Civilian Peace Services and Youth Engagement in Peacebuilding; Academies for Peace, Restorative Justice Practices; Peace Economics; Innovation in the Use of Media; Nuclear and General Disarmament; Civil Society and Government Cooperation; and, Networking with the UN and Business.

 The GA also established strategic direction and an action plan for its next phase and formed a dynamic Leadership Council, with membership from 6 continents, to carry its mission forward, partner with other international sister organizations and plan its next Summit.

 Rita Marie Johnson of the Rasur Foundation in Costa Rica, Summit convener, summed up the achievement of the Summit, stating, “The GA members embodied peace as they took a quantum leap toward national peace infrastructures by presenting a detailed picture of hope for the world. We know what to do and we will do it – together in the name of peace.”

 The Summit concluded with a determination to witness the formation of at least 2 more Ministries or Departments of Peace by the time of the next Summit to be held in 2011.

 Contact: Dr. Saul Arbess

Email: saul.arbess@departmentofpeace.ca ,

Phone: 250-383-5878 in Canada

<www.gasummit.org>

The 17^th Annual Mahatma Gandhi Peace Festival & Peace Walk (Hamilton, Canada)

From: The Centre for Peace Studies, McMaster University

Phone: (905)-525-9140 ext. 23112; peace@mcmaster.ca; www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/gandhi

Hamilton, ON.—Saturday October 3^rd hundreds will gather to celebrate the 17^th Annual Mahatma Gandhi Peace Festival and participate in a peace walk downtown at McMaster University, Down Town Centre (DTC) (50 Main Street East, Hamilton). In celebration of the 100^th Anniversary of Gandhi’s seminal book “Hind Swaraj (Home Rule)”, the theme of this year’s festival is “Swadeshi: Gandhi’s Economics of Self Reliance.” A special panel discussion will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church at 1140 King St West, Hamilton.
 

While promoting non-violence, peace and social justice the festival will offer the unique opportunity to explore connections between peace and the economics of self reliance and sustainability. The festival will also mark the International Day of Non-Violence (October 2) as declared by the United Nations in 2007. The day corresponds to Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday and will recognize Gandhi’s important contributions to building peace and the continued relevance of his philosophy today.

All are welcome to attend the celebrations from 10:00am to 3:00pm that brings together peace, social justice and community organizations from the Hamilton community in a demonstration of solidarity. There will be entertainment, guest speakers, a peace walk downtown and a free hot vegetarian lunch.

Keynote speaker Rajmohan Gandhi, historian, scholar and Gandhi’s grandson, will provide valuable insight into living in harmony with local produce and environmental sustainability. Rajmohan will deliver the twelfth Annual Gandhi Lecture on Friday, October 2, 2009 at McMaster University from 7:00-9:00 pm as well make a brief presentation at the festival on Saturday.

Admission is free and participants are encouraged to bring banners that support the Economics of Self Reliance, peace and “local before global” as they join the peace walk.

In addition to the Festival, MAC Peace Week will complement the festival with a series of events about peace and self reliance that span form September 28th to October 2nd .These events run by McMaster University students to increase peace education, build solidarity among collaborating campus organizations and foster a culture of peace. More details can be found on the Gandhi Peace Festival website.

Festival Activities:

Location: McMaster University, Down Town Centre (DTC) (50 Main Street West, Hamilton)

Saturday October 3, 2009

10:00am-11:00am – Peace and Justice Fair of Community Organizations

11:00am-12:00pm – Welcome and Greetings – Mayor Eisenberger

Keynote Speaker – Rajmohan Gandhi (Historian, Scholar, Gandhi’s grandson)

12:00pm-1:00pm – Peace Walk Downtown Hamilton

1:00pm-3:00pm – Free hot lunch (Indian Food), and Entertainment

The Gandhi Peace Festival is co-sponsored by the Centre for Peace Studies (McMaster University), The India-Canada Society (Hamilton), and the City of Hamilton.

For more information, please contact the Gandhi Peace Festival coordinator at

Gandhi.peace.festival@gmail.com or visit http://www.humanities.mcmaster .ca/gandhi/

September 21 – October 03, 2009 

The Canadian Department of Peace Initiative (CDPI), together with the United Nations Association of Canada – NCR Branch and other Ottawa peace organizations invites you to take part in a 13-day Third Annual Festival of Peace.  All events are without admission fee, and subject to change due to weather/unforeseen circumstances.

*Monday Sept. 21: 11.00 – 12.30 pm:   Pacifest – UN’s International Day of Peace at Victoria Island with Circle of the All Nations. The event will commence with a Peace Walk at the Peacekeeping Monument on Sussex Drive and end at Victoria Island where Proclamations on the International Day of Peace and Ottawa as a City of Peace will be read. (Peter Stockdale, cityofpeaceottawa@rogers.com , 613-852-4527 and Anita Rizvi,  arizvi@rogers.com, 613-841-9785).

*Tuesday Sept. 22: United Nations Association of NCR to launch ‘Dear United Nations Secretary-General Writing and Art Contest’ for secondary students (Grades 9-12).  (Pino Buffone, Pino.Buffone@ocdsb.ca, 613-596-8211/ext 5211).  7.00 – 9.30 pm: Civilian Peace Service Canada Forum, Amphitheatre, Saint Paul University, 223 Main Street. Program will have peace songs, poetry and a presentation on CPSC. (Gord Breedyk, gbreedyk@rogers.com, 613-721-9829).

*Wednesday Sept.23:  7.00 – 9.30pm:  A Forum: ‘How can our world religions promote/advocate for peace?” Saint Paul University Auditorium, 223 Main Street. (Qais Ghanem, dialoguewithdiversity@rogers.com, 613-265-4654 and Brian Strom. edcicr@ustpaul.ca, 613-235-5800)

*Thursday Sept.24:  7.00-9.00pm: Forum on ‘Corporatism and Peace’ hosted by ‘No War-Paix’. 150 Isabella Street (just south of the Queensway, corner of O’Connor), 9th Floor, Executive Boardroom, National Component, PSAC. (Larry Rousseau, rouslar@gmail.com , www.no-war-paix.ca, 613-565-1915).**  6.30 – 9.30 pm: A Music Concert for Peace at Amphitheatre, Saint Paul University, 223 Main Street.  (Daniel Mauro, peacefest@sympatico.ca, 418- 934-2661).

*Friday Sept.25: 6.00– 9.00pm: 35th Annual General Assembly Trade Show, Crowne Plaza Ottawa Hotel, 101 Lyon Street. The show in support of ‘Sisters in Spirit’ features work of a wide range of Aboriginal female artists and artisans.(Deborah Chansonneuve, chansonneuve@travel-net.com ).

*Saturday Sept.26: 3.00 – 5.00 pm:  Forum: “Buddhism In Action – A Proposal for Peace” at 237 Argyle Street. (Monica Bachmann, monicabachmann@rogers.com , 613-232-1100). **1.00-5.00 pm: An Exhibition of ‘Meditation as Art’ paintings at TRIKArts851 Gallery on 1390 Clyde Ave., Room 206 (near crossing of Clyde and Merivale Rd). (Shiban Raina, shibanraina@trikarts851.com , www.TrikaArts851.com, 613-224-9179). 

*Sunday Sept.27: 2.00 – 4.30 pm:  Celebration of Mahatma Gandhi’s 140^th Birthday and UN International Day of Nonviolence, Kailash Mital Theatre, Carleton University. Free parking: Lot P1. (Jagmohan Humar, email: Jag_humar@carleton.ca, 613-736-0783). ** 1.00-5.00 pm: An Exhibition of ‘Meditation as Art’ paintings at TRIKArts851 Gallery on 1390 Clyde Ave., Room 206 (near crossing of Clyde and Merivale Rd).(Shiban Raina, shibanraina@trikarts851.com , www.TrikaArts851.com,  613-224-9179). 

*Monday, Sept.28:  5.00 – 8.30 pm:  A self-discovery playshop entitled: “Can we be both rich and free of war?” 91A, Fourth Ave., Quaker Centre, Doors open at 5.00, supper at 5.30, playshop begins at 6.30. (Gianne Broughton, qpasc@cfsc.quaker.ca, 613-798-8182).

*Tuesday Sept.29: 7.30 am – 9.00 am:  Murray Thomson, O.C. to speak on “What have Ottawans been doing to prevent Nuclear War? What can you do?”  NCPC Breakfast speaker series, Donna’s Express cafe, 322 Churchill Avenue, North on the corner of Scott St & Churchill Ave. (Daniel Stringer, thestring@rogers.com, 613- 792-1431). ** 5.00 – 8.00 pm: “Arctic Future Forum : Cooperation or Confrontation”. Hosted by Rideau Institute with Friedrich Ebert Foundation at National Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street (Steven Staples, sstaples@rideauinstitute.ca , 613- 565-9449).

*Wednesday, Sept.30: 7.00-10.00pm: A Seminar: “This precious Life–My Conscious Creation”. The importance of the knowledge of the principles of the creative process. Public Library, Emerald Plaza, 1574 Merivale Road ( Vesna Scott: vesna@sympatico.ca, 613 224 5489).

*Thursday, Oct. 01: 6.00 – 9.00 pm: Screening of NFB film ‘The Strangest Dream’ on Nuclear Disarmament Movement, Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe Street. (Iman Ibrahim, imanibrahim@rogers.com, 613-276- 6764)

*Friday Oct. 02: 5.30 -7.30pm: Panel Discussion and Book Launch on “Afghanistan and Canada: Is There an Alternative to the War?” by Rideau Institute. Colonel By Room, City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West. (Steven Staples, sstaples@rideauinstitute.ca , 613- 565-9449).

*Saturday, Oct. 03: 10 am – 4 pm:  7th Annual Friends for Peace Day at City Hall. A full day program of music, speeches, food and display tables, and presentation of peace awards. (Ian Prattis, 613-726- 0881, iprattis@cyberus.ca , www.friendsforpeace.ca);   ** 11 am – 5 pm: Islamic History Month Canada  launch of  Multicultural Expo, Canada Science and Technology Museum. (Iman Ibrahim, imanibrahim@rogers.com,613-841-6764)

During Festival,  visit two peace Exhibits:  *Sept.15 – 30: An Exhibit on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. collated by National Capital Peace Council at Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe St. (Daniel Stringer, thestring@rogers.com, 613 792-1431). Also, *Sept.21- Oct03: “No War-Paix Conceptual Art” An outdoor Peace Exhibit, 250 Range Road, Sandy Hill (Terry Stavnyck, terry.peace@gmail.com, 613-565-1915).                                                        

For further information, contact Festival Convenors: Bill Bhaneja, billbhaneja@rogers.com , 613-244-1979 and Peter Stockdale, globalbridge@rogers.com, 613-863-4527, and for individual events, respective coordinators identified in the program. Program also posted on www.departmentofpeace.ca, www.civilianpeaceservice.ca, and www.cicr-icrc.ca/

Congratulations are due to Rita Marie Johnson, Founding Director, and her team at the Rasur Foundation, the principal NGO voice for the Minister of Peace, who worked for 3 years on this project. She has particularly noted that holding the Global Alliance Summit in CR accelerated and added impetus to the passing of this Bill. The  Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace has shown its ability to assist in moving forward our objective to create ministers of peace in all nations. 

In Japan, where the 3rd Summit was held in September 2007, that Summit assisted in the further strengthening of the threatened Article 9 in the Japanese Constitution, the article that prevents Japan from acting as a belligerent against any other nation and renounces war as a vehicle of resolving conflict. To date, despite considerable pressure from the US and the wishes of the conservative parties in Japan, Article 9 remains intact as a model clause for every nation’s constitution.

Thursday, 06 August 2009

By Carolyn Girard

Published in the Catholic Register

 A private members’ bill to establish a Canadian Department of Peace will soon be before Parliament, perhaps as early as the fall.

British Columbia MP Bill Siksay jumped on board the six-year-old campaign advocating for a Department of Peace just a few years ago, and recently volunteered to write the legislation for the private members’ bill he hopes to table in September.

“We need to clarify the role of the armed forces and peace building in our foreign policy,” Siksay told The Catholic Register. “Does that run counter to having a military? I don’t think so. People often join the military because they have a desire to make the world a more peaceful and safe place.”

A news release from the Department of Peace Initiative said the department would attempt to “increase the coherence and co-ordination of peace-related policies in the federal government,” rebuild “Canada’s role in international peacebuilding, UN peacekeeping and peace diplomacy including disarmament,” it would seek to de-escalate “violent conflict, the risk of nuclear weapon use and the proliferation of these weapons” and reverse “the recent trend towards militarism as manifested by the growth of military budgets and Canada’s war-fighting posture in the world.”

Sr. Mary Alban Bouchard, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph working on peace initiatives in Haiti, thinks the creation of a peace department is very important to Canada’s longstanding image as a peacekeeping nation and for a continuing role as peacekeepers in the world. Bouchard spent 17 years as her order’s representative at the United Nations.

“We had learned the art of compromise,” she said. “But I think we are losing that and we need to reclaim what people thought and hopefully still think of us.”

“The best we can hope for first of all is to raise the profile of our initiative enormously,” said Dr. Saul Arbess, one of the founders of the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative. He emphasized it is a non-partisan group and seeks support from all political parties.

Arbess is concerned that Canada is beginning to pale in comparison with small countries like Costa Rica, which has advanced its peacekeeping initiatives significantly over the past few decades.

But Arbess is optimistic that a September summit will help raise its profile significantly at the international level. The Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace will hold the summit in Costa Rica. Previous summits were held in Japan and Victoria.

However, critics suggest that a Department of Peace could have a divisive impact in Canada. Unlike Costa Rica, which abolished its military in 1949, Canada continues to foster its peace initiatives through the Department of National Defence. A peace department would make Canadian troops partially answerable to two departments, which could be both a bureaucratic nightmare and a morale killer, said David Welch, CIGI Chair of Global Security at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and political science professor at the University of Waterloo.

“If there’s one thing we have learned through the history of peace activism, it’s that governments are more often than not the problem, not the solution,” Welch said.

Welch believes DND handles peacekeeping and peacebuilding tasks well, even though its contributions to blue-helmet peacekeeping operations have faded.

But a more obvious obstacle to the success of a peace department, he added, is that peacekeeping falls behind issues like health care and the deficit in the eyes of Canadian voters, which could delay support of the initiative for years to come.

Nathan Funk, assistant professor in Peace and Conflict Studies at Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo, suggested that schools with peace and conflict programs could play an important role in discussions surrounding a peace department. He also said the initiative may not be well understood as previous attempts made by a crown corporation to advance the proposed department had a limited mandate and a narrower focus than what the Initiative is currently advocating for.

“Canada does indeed have a critical mass of expertise in the domains of knowledge and practice that the Department of Peace would seek to advance,” Funk said. “What we lack at the present time is a vehicle to help reinvigorate collective efforts and leadership that is willing to evoke the vision and provide the necessary resources.”

The Department for Peace Initiative currently has chapters in Ottawa and Victoria, with other chapters developing as the Initiative’s co-chair Theresa Dunn makes a speaking tour across the country over the summer.

To find out more about the Initiative, visit www.departmentofpeace.ca .

Mr Speaker:

How does a society institute a culture of peace?

The Canadian Department of Peace Initiative focused on that question last weekend in Hamilton, Ontario.

Peace activists from across Canada showed our support for a major realignment of federal… government priorities away from militarism and violence and towards peace.

The Department of Peace Initiative proposes the establishment of a federal Department of Peace to place the promotion of peace at the heart of the operation of our government by redirecting the machinery of government towards the promotion of peaceful conflict resolution, nonviolent intervention, and mediation.  As well, establishing a Canadian Civilian Peace Service, to professionalize peace work by Canadians, would significantly improve Canada’s role in charting a course to peace at home and around the world.

New opportunities exist to recommit to peace, given the coming end to Canada’s participation in the war in Afghanistan and new interest in nuclear disarmament.  A broadly mandated Department of Peace will entrench Canadians’ hopes for a peaceful world in the work of our federal government.

Theme: Building a Culture of Peace in Canada and Abroad
Friday, April 17, 7:00-9:30 PM

The evening featured a stimulating and provocative talk by Linda McQuaig, entitled: After Afghanistan: Reinvigorating Canada’s Role as a Global Peacebuilder. She spoke of a rising militarism and the growing military-industrial complex in Canada and saw
a department of peace as an antidote, stating that war is obselete. She was introduced by Borys Wresnewskyj, MP, a staunch supporter of the CDPI. Bill Siksay, NDP-MP, spoke of his work in drafting a Private Members Bill calling for a department of peace.
There were two excellent and joyful choirs that sang, the Children’s Ensemble from Helen Detwiler School and the Sudanese Canadian Cultural Association Singers.

Simon Mach, speaking of his experience in Sudan, reminded us that peace is more than the absence of war; it is the love of husband and wife, the love of parents for children, the love we have for one another.

Saturday, April 18, 9:30 AM -5:30 PM

The 2008-9 Activity Report was given by Bill Bhaneja, outgoing Pan Canadian Co-chair and brief reports on a Civilian Peace Service, on Women Building Peace, on a Youth Peace Camp, on Cities for Peace, and on Nuclear Disarmament, followed by a panel of Bill Siksay MP (NDP), Jim Karygiannis MP (Liberal), and Steven LaFrenie (Green Party candidate) on how we can work together for a culture of peace. Each stressed the importance of a non-partisan approach among the political parties. In the afternoon we had a panel on the Department of Peace’s domestic, local and municipal potential with a report on our current initiative for a Hamilton Culture of Peace Commission, with Brian McHattie (Hamilton City Councilor, Ward 1), Gail Rappolt (Hamilton Culture of Peace Network), and Dick Preston (Hamilton Chapter, CDPI), The rest of the day was devoted to strategic planning for the CDPI over the next year.

Sunday, April 19, 10 AM-2:00 PM, AGM Business Meeting

There were reports from each of the chapters attending and from the Pan Canadian youth coordinator, indicating the richness and variety of activities undertaken. Further discussion ensued on how to increase youth participation by developing peacebuilding as a professional career path and working more closely with YOUCAN, a Pan Canadian youth organization that has been interested in the CDPI.

The Minutes of the April 6, 2009, AGM, were approved. The Activity Report from the Co-chairs was tabled. The Financial Report was adopted with amendments.  The report on possible federal incorporation of the CDPI, now registered as the Society to Promote Departments of Peace in British Columbia, was discussed. It was agreed that further research was required and that we would remain with the status quo for the time being. The CDPI is seen as a federation of chapters each having local autonomy within the framework of the agreed-upon goal of promoting a Canadian department of peace.

Theresa Dunn was selected by acclamation as the new Pan Canadian Co-chair for Eastern Canada in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the CDPI.

An Action Plan, 2009-10, was developed in draft form. Chapters agreed to take on certain tasks related to the plan.

Generally, it was agreed that we keep our focus on establishing a Cabinet-level Minister and Department of Peace, with both international and domestic responsibilities, while pursuing intermediate steps such as a Cabinet-level Minister of State for Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention within Foreign Affairs.

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

_____________________________________________
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