Members in action

Development and Peace has always aspired to be a democratic movement attentive to the voice of its members. These members are the living witness of our Catholic faith, put in the service of International Development.

On September 27th, Janelle de Rocquigny, a committed Manitoban youth member of Development and Peace, was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal at the Government House, where Senator Maria Chaput presented her with the medal. According to the Saint-Boniface University website, Janelle received the award for “her great commitment to environmental issues, giving a voice to Franco-Canadians at the international level and her efforts to find concrete actions for sustainable development.”

The drought and food shortages currently affecting 18 million people in six countries in West Africa are signs of a growing humanitarian crisis in the region. Although this situation is receiving little media attention, Catholics are not waiting for the crisis to worsen in order to start acting. Most Rev.

Each year, Holy Cross High School in Saskatoon holds a Box Lunch Auction to raise money for Development and Peace. Homeroom classes create, assemble, and prepare lunches which are then sold off to the highest bidders. Students gather in the gym in the morning and for one hour lunches are promoted (by a real auctioneer) and then sold - always for a value far exceeding the actual cost of the meal! The spirit that overrides the event is not ‘how much can we get', but ‘how much can we give.' Thousands of dollars are raised as the school comes together in a spirit of community and generosity.

Development and Peace activities in the Alberta region follow a wonderful rhythm, very much like a daily or life cycle. September, thanks to the Fall Education and Action Campaign, is an awakening of the mind, causing a stir in the heart and soul that prompts engagement and action. The Christmas season is the lunch break - a necessary rest stop in the journey to focus on the Creator, one’s family and friends, and oneself.

On Friday, April 6^th, over 250 Canadians across the country will be participating in a Good Friday Fast, organized by members of Development and Peace, in support of the organization’s work in the Global South.

Last Saturday, I participated in a luncheon with the Member of Parliament for my riding of Rosemont-Petite-Patrie, Alexandre Boulerice of the NDP. During the meeting, I had the opportunity to explain to those present that Development and Peace’s financing from CIDA had been drastically reduced and that the future of Canadian international development was becoming worrisome.

Not all the visas have been obtained yet. But, on the eve of Ash Wednesday, we can already announce that the national organizers of the Share Lent Campaign have invited five partners to the country so that they can tell us about the challenges they face.

The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is coordinating and facilitating International Development Week which is all of this week. This is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate citizens who are committed and involved in building a better world through their participation and support to organizations like Development and Peace. It is also a time to showcase the results and achievements made in the Global South.