Toronto, October 10, 2006 

The YMCA of Greater Toronto, together with YMCA associations across Canada, is urging people to make peace their personal cause during this year’s annual YMCA World Peace Week 2006, November 18 – 25, 2006, and to tap into the collective power of people who want to make a positive impact in the world.

YMCA World Peace Week was launched in 1984 to annually commemorate peace around the world through participating YMCAs.  Three years later, Peace Medallions were introduced to recognize the contributions of individuals and groups to peace.

“Building peace begins at home, through our relationship with those around us.  By using our values we can shape the way we act everyday with our families, colleagues, friends and people in the community,” says Scott Haldane, President and CEO, YMCA of Greater Toronto.  “Change occurs organically, step by step, day by day, person by person.  One small step often leads to a bigger one.  Once people see the difference they can make, they start to look at making more interconnections locally, globally, or environmentally.”

YMCA Canada and the worldwide YMCA movement have been long time supporters and advocates of peace in all its many forms.  At the 1981 World Council Meeting of the World Alliance of YMCAs, the General Assembly adopted a “Statement on Peace” and decided to observe YMCA Peace Day on the third Saturday of November.  Now YMCAs in 127 countries around the world annually join together on the same day in thought, prayer, and action for peace.  In 1984, YMCA Canada expanded on YMCA Peace Day by adding a full week dedicated to exploring peace from a personal, community and international perspective.  Today, YMCA World Peace Week is eight days long, running from the third to fourth Saturday in November.

“Whether people work in unison with others or on their own, we have the ability and the power to improve the social, economic, political and environmental conditions in the world today,” says Haldane.  “That’s our message for 2006.”

During this week, local YMCA Associations from across the GTA are encouraged to promote activities and educational programs to help people of all ages explore the many dimensions of peace and determine how they can play a role.

Through games and activities, children and youth explore the meaning of inclusion, respect, commitment, building a sense of community, equality and justice.  Using the YMCA Peace Building Activity Guide, children and youth translate values into actions by exploring topics such as cooperation, empathy, respect, positive communication, conflict resolution and parallels between community and global issues.  Parents and educators are encouraged to download this free 107-page guide at http://www.ymca.ca/.

One of the week’s highlights is the awarding of the YMCA Peace Medal to an individual or group who models how each of us can contribute to peace.  In 1987, the YMCA Peace Medallion was developed for Canadian associations to recognize individuals or groups who, without any special resources, have demonstrated their commitment to building peace in their communities and around the world. 

This year’s Peace Medallion recipients will be announced at 12 separate ceremony events in 12 communities across the GTA during YMCA World Peace Week, including: Scarborough, Keswick, Brampton, Etobicoke, North York, Markham, Mississauga, Metro Toronto, and Durham.  The YMCA of Greater Toronto Awards Presentation will take place at the YMCA Charles Street Auditorium at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 23 at 42 Charles Street East (South of Yonge & Bloor).  

About the YMCA of Greater Toronto
The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity offering opportunities for personal growth, community involvement and leadership.  As a values-based charity working in 200 locations throughout the GTA, the YMCA builds strong kids, strong families and strong communities.  The YMCA of Greater Toronto works with more than 400,000 men, women, children, and families of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, in all stages of life involves 5,000 volunteers and enjoys the support of 12,000 donors. 

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