150+ Canadians Day 71: YMCA Peace Week

YMCA Peace Week contributes to peace by annually celebrating and recognizing local contributors to peace. #Canada150

The YMCA has long been celebrated for offering activities and educational programs to help children, youth and adults to explore the many dimensions of healthy living, all of which strengthens peace at many levels.

For almost 30 years the YMCA has been awarding peace medallions during their annual Peace Week to individuals and groups of peacemakers in communities across Canada, who are role models for the building of peace and strong communities. To date, over 1,500 Peace Medallions have been presented to peacemakers across the country.

Among the many recipients across Canada are:

  • Michele Lavin and Don Wilkinson of Owen Sound, Ontario for their work on nuclear disarmament
  • Bridget Toole Grant for her long-time support of peace issues both individually and through peace organizations
  • Puppets for Peace in Calgary, Alberta for their anti-bullying work with pre- school to Grade 6 students
  • Mediating Students from l’Ecole Ludger-Duvernay, Montreal, PQ for using their conflict resolution and mediating skills to create a more peaceful school environment by resolving more than 400 conflicts in their school in one year
  • India Canada Society of Hamilton and Region for promoting peace through an Annual Gandhi Peace Festival that includes a writing contest as well as raising funds for university peace lectures
  • Judi Wyatt of Kingston, Ontario for her work with the experiential learning strategy, The Poverty Challenge
  • …and so many more! Learn more at ymca.ca/peaceweek

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