Building Peace, Preventing War
News and Events
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World March for Peace and Nonviolence (November 21, 2009)
Project Ploughshares participated with other groups in planning and organizing the Edmonton section of the World
March for Peace and Non-Violence on November 21.
SAGE Award (November 4, 2009)
The Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton (SAGE) is a full service, not-for profit seniors’ organization whose mandate it is to build and maintain a broad range of programs and services that enhance the quality of life for seniors and their families in the Greater Edmonton area.
SAGE presents awards each year to recognize seniors’ contributions to the community in 9 different categories. This is done at a fund raising luncheon.
This year the recipient of the award in the peace and social justice category was Helen Ready, co chair of the Steering committee of Project Ploughshares Edmonton.
Salvos Prelorentzos Peace Award (November 2, 2009)
The Salvos Prelorentzos Peace Award was established in 1996 as a tribute to Salvos, a man who never forgot the horrors of war that he experienced as a soldier during WWII.
The Award is managed by a committee coordinated by Project Ploughshares Edmonton, which presents the Award to individuals in the Edmonton are who have made a significant contribution to Peace, disarmament and human rights.
The committee looks for ordinary people who are extraordinary in their commitment -- the unsung heroes of our city. The initial funding came from Alison Scott-Prelorentzos’ generous gift to Project Edmonton. Further funding is through specified donations.
The Salvos Award this year was given to Michael Phair, well known community leader and tireless human rights advocate.
A long time service award was given to Jean Rogers for her devoted service to Project Ploughshares and related groups.
Guest speaker was Toronto Peace’s James Loney who, when on assignment to Iraq with a Christian Peacemakers Team, was captured by insurgents and held for 118 days before being released.
The ceremonies were held in City Hall.
UN International Day of Peace
A celebration was planned and presented by a coalition of peace and social justice groups to which Edmonton Ploughshares contributed two members.
A proclamation by Mayor Mandel, the raising of the UN flag in front of City Hall, a song by a choir of young elementary children, and a number of speeches completed the program.
Noteworthy was a speech by former Minister of Education, David King, whose theme was the importance of peace education for children.
Ignite! Change Now (July 30 - August 2, 2009)
A Global Youth Assembly for Peace and Human Rights was sponsored in Edmonton by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights.
On the invitation of the organizers, Project Ploughshares formed a committee to read and judge the essays submitted from countries
around the world on the topics:
‘What does it mean to have a peaceful world?’
‘What does peace look like or mean to you?’
‘What can we do as a community or as individuals do to promote peace?’
In addition, Edmonton Ploughshares organized a workshop entitled “Is Canada still In the Peace Business?” and arranged for
Project Ploughshares National Executive Director John Siebert to travel from Waterloo to present it. His workshop was very well attended and received.
Alberta Global Education Forum (April 22, 2009)
Project Ploughshares set up a table
display along with other peace and social justice groups on the invitation of the social justice interest group of
the Edmonton Branch of the Alberta Teachers’ Association.
Peace education materials appropriate to children were chosen for display, and were popular with the teachers
Premiere of the film “The Strangest Dream” (March 15, 2009)
Co-sponsored with the National Film Board, and shown at the Metro cinema.
Discussion co-chaired by Patti Hartnagel and Sen. Doug Roche.
Song, “The Strangest Dream”, sung by the Raging Grannies outside the theatre.
Petitions signed to urge NATO to review its Nuclear weapons policy signed and forwarded to M.P. Linda Duncan requesting that she table it in the Canadian House of Commons.
Some 23 DVDs of the film were sold at the event.
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