Think peace. Do it. Inspire it.
The YMCAs of Québec has anually been celebrating ordinary people who demonstrate a vision, creativity and an extraordinary commitment to making our communities, our country, or our world more peaceful and just.
These individuals and groups are models for their community. Peace is their main focus, and they invest phenomenal energy in bringing it to life. These people are peacemakers and they inspire us.
The official ceremony to celebrate the 2012 peacemakers will take place in Montreal on Thursday, November 22, and will be publicized throughout Québec. To mark the event, an honorary medal will be awarded to Michèle Thibodeau-DeGuire, President and Executive Director of Centraide of Greater Montreal.
Reserve your tickets today!
Download the reservation form
Telephone: 514 849-5331, ext. 1297
marie-claude.landry@ymcaquebec.org
Aside from receiving a peace medal, all laureates will also receive a $1000 prize from the Brian Bronfman Family Foundation to be remitted to their charity or an organization whose cause they support.
The categories
The nominees, groups or individuals, must fall into one of the following categories:
- Youth Peacemaker (category reserved for youth aged 25 and under)
- Volunteer Peacemaker
- Local Peace Initiative
- International Peace Initiative
Selection committee
A volunteer selection committee will review all nominations. Decisions will be based on the information provided in the nomination package.
Nominees and nominators will be contacted by The YMCAs of Québec to:
- confirm the nominee accepts the nomination;
- gather supporting materials such as photographs, videos or articles;
- invite the candidates to the Peace Medals benefit luncheon during which the laureates will be announced Thursday, November 22, 2012;
- inform nominees that, if selected as a laureate, they will be photographed and possibly interviewed.
Members Committee
Luc Beaudoin
Video and events Producer
B2B
Brian Bronfman
President
Brian Bronfman Family Foundation
Michel Forgues
Director, Community and International Initiatives
The YMCAs of Québec
Sylvie Mainville
Communications Director, Québec
Manulife Financial
Kathy R. Assayag
Past President
Concordia University Foundation
Frédéric Rivest-Roy
The YMCAs of Québec Youth Leader
Past Peace Medal Laureates
People and groups who have received the Peace Medals have come from all walks of life: artists, volunteers, community or health workers, support groups, etc.
Here is the list of past laureates:
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2007 Honorary Laureates
2006
2005
Before 2005
About the YMCA Peace Medals
The YMCA defines peace as a state where all individuals and communities live free from conflict, violence and war, are able to satisfy their basic human needs, are treated equitably, and are able to reach their full potential in life. Complex factors that lead to poverty, social injustice and instability, conflict, violence and war must be addressed to achieve peace. This sounds like a huge task, but it begins one step at a time with individuals and groups in our local community.
Since 1981, YMCAs in 127 countries around the world have observed YMCA Peace Day each November.
YMCA Peace Statement
The responsibility for peace begins with each person, in relationships with family and friends, and extends to community life and national activities. There are no simple recipes. It is we ourselves who must seek, act and pray for ways to be peacemakers.
World Council of YMCAs, 1981