YMCA Peace Week celebrates the presence of peace in our local and global communities.
Throughout the week of November 12 – 19, 2022, YMCAs across Canada promote ways we can build peace, and highlight the peace-building work that happens all year round, both inside and outside the YMCA. The Y is dedicated to building healthy communities, and peace is fundamental to strong, happy and healthy communities.
In keeping with this year’s International Day of Peace theme of “End racism. Build peace,” YMCA Peace Week 2022 focuses on developing an anti-racist lens to understand conflicts taking place around the globe. We also seek to highlight the connections between ending racism and ending other forms of oppression by engaging in conversations with local and international actors. To learn from our partners from the South, we are hosting speakers from the YMCA Peru, who will speak about the connections between anti-racism and trans inclusion. The goal is that this year’s theme continues to inspire our work throughout the year.
When people act for peace, they build community by promoting a sense of belonging, fostering empathy, and embracing diversity.
An additional way we celebrate Peace Week is our Peace Medal, which is awarded to a local peacemaker every year during Peace Week. When we award YMCA Peace Medals, we celebrate others’ contributions to peace. To nominate an individual or group complete the nomination form below by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, November 10th. See Nomination Form application below.
” At the YMCA, we are committed to doing this work as a healthy community cannot exist without the presence of peace for all.”
