Luz Bascuñán, her husband Patricio and their children fled their home of Chile in 1977 during the violent and repressive regime of Augusto Pinochet.  Immediately upon her arrival in Toronto, Luz devoted herself to community work that promotes human rights and peace building.  Today she is an inspirational leader whose school Escuela Pioneros de la Paz (Pioneers of Peace) is creating a new generation of young people educated in conflict resolution and social justice from a Latin American cultural perspective. 

From the start of her life in Canada, Luz has been deeply committed to a number of vital organizations.  She was the Founder and first President of the Toronto Chilean Society, created to defend human rights and promote the return of democracy in Chile.  That project led to the creation of Escuela Presidente Salvador Allende (EPSA), an educational program that sought to develop future community leaders and peace activists within the Latin American community in Toronto. 

Her work as a volunteer rapidly extended to other organizations that promote human rights, social justice and peace, including the Centre for Social Justice and the Community Social Planning Council of Toronto.  In her connection to the Toronto District School Board as a parent, educator and school trustee, she works diligently to make our schools more equitable and inclusive.

Most recently, Luz Bascuñán’s passion and commitment to education has led her to create Escuela Pioneros de la Paz (Pioneers of Peace), a volunteer-based, multi-disciplinary program for children aged 3 1/2 to 14, which promotes a culture of peace and social justice.  The school teaches students how to develop strategies for non-violent conflict resolution, while promoting democracy and equality as part of everyday life.  Offered free of charge on Saturday mornings, the school offers an enriched educational experience in language arts, music, visual arts, dance and movement within the context of Latin American culture.

Throughout her life, Luz Bascuñán has made an enormous contribution to both the Latin American and Canadian communities through pioneering initiatives in education and a personal commitment to peace and social justice.