Toronto, November 16, 2007

The YMCA of Greater Toronto, together with YMCA associations across Canada, will celebrate YMCA World Peace Week from November 17-24, 2007 by encouraging kids, youth and adults to create peace by living it, every day, with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues.

“In today’s globalized world, our many connections are defining the world in which we live. Our actions at home have an impact on the people elsewhere in the world. The more we understand these connections, the more empowered we become to make a positive impact, locally and around the world,” says Scott Haldane, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater Toronto.

2007 marks the 20th anniversary of recognizing community peace builders in Canada by awarding them the YMCA Peace Medallion. Since 1987, some 900 individuals and groups have received YMCA Peace Medallions during YMCA World Peace Week.

“The Peace Medallion recipients have led the way in showing how every one of us has the ability or power to create positive social change without special resources. They are a tremendous inspiration for improving the quality of life in a community, either at home or overseas,” says Bahadur Madhani, Chair of the Board.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto will be recognizing 13 YMCA Peace Medallion recipients at 11 ceremonies across the GTA:

Photos and biographies of the 2007 Peace Medallion recipients are available through the YMCA Communications Department (see contact information below).

For more information, please contact:
Jamie Slater
Manager, Association Communications
YMCA of Greater Toronto
Tel: 416-413-1020 ext. 2362
Email: jamie.slater@ymcagta.org