Volunteer Abroad Program wins Peace Medal

The Concordia Volunteer Abroad Program (CVAP) has won a YMCA Quebec Peace Medal.

CVAP took home the award in the “Youth” category, November 19 at Montreal’s Hyatt-Regency Hotel.

The Program was among five awardees given the honour to celebrate their vision and commitment towards a more peaceful and just world.

Other winners included the Tolerance Foundation, the McGill Middle East Program (MMEP), conflict resolution consultant Sophie Langri and spokesperson for anti-poverty group Jeune citoyen engagé de l’OEUVRE LÉGER Jasmyn Beauséjour.

The YMCA describes candidates as, “Working quietly, these individuals are models for their community. Peace is their main focus, and they invest phenomenal energy in bringing it alive. These people are the peacemakers and they inspire us.”  

CVAP sends student volunteers to northern Uganda to work in collaboration with local organizations and members of the community on various projects such as the prevention of HIV/AIDS, the fight against prejudice, nutrition, education, food safety, and housing.

This marks the 24th year the YMCAs of Quebec has honoured local peacemakers. Since 1987, 89 individuals and organizations have received YMCA Quebec Peace Medals.

In 2009, the YMCA awarded an Honorary Peace Medal to Senator and LGen Roméo Dallaire (ret), who also serves at Senior Fellow at Concordia’s Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies. 

Related Links:
•    Concordia Volunteer Abroad Program
•    Concordia’s Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies
•    YMCA Quebec