Development and Peace (Canada)
Development and Peace is the official international development arm of the Catholic Church in Canada. It is a member of Caritas Internationalis, and Halifax Initiative.
History
Peace is not simply the absence of warfare, based on a precarious balance of power. It must be built daily, and it must strive towards a more perfect justice among human beings (Populorum Progressio, 65). That founding principle of Development and Peace is still maintained today.
Members
Development and Peace has 13,000 members across Canada. They contribute to educating the Canadian public and Canadian politicians to social justice and international development issues, they organise fundraisers and they participate in the governance of the organisation. Members elect representatives to the National Council and its various committees. Members elect representatives to the National Council and its various committees.
Currently, the President of the National Council is Ronald Breau, member of Development and Peace from New Maryland, (New Brunswick).
International Programs
The organisation's regular programming spans 33 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Individual projects are proposed by partner organisations - generally local non-governmental organisations or social movements. The programs and projects are meant to support the poor as they improve their living conditions in a sustainable way and increase their participation in their country's development.
Several times a year, program officers from Development and Peace's main office in Montreal, Quebec, visit the partners to evaluate progress, provide training and resources, foster networking between organisations and plan future activities.
Emergency Relief
Development and Peace's emergency program exists for one purpose: to provide aid to needy individuals and communities. Development and Peace is the Canadian member of Caritas Internationalis, one of the world's largest humanitarian aid networks.
Education Campaigns
Each year, in the fall, members organise an education campaign within Canada. The campaign is targeted at members of the Canadian public and at Canadian politicians. In 2007 and 2008, Development and Peace campaigned to make Canadian mining companies responsible for their operations abroad. Due to lax laws in developing countries, Canadian companies often get away with violating human rights and destroying the environment.
Since the beginning of the campaign, over 200,000 Canadians sent postcards to the Canadian government asking that it legislate corporate social responsibility. Since 1994, Development and Peace has been a member of the Halifax Initiative, a coalition of Canadian non-governmental organizations for public interest work and education on international financial institutions.
Share Lent Campaigns
Share Lent is the annual fundraising campaign of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace.
Share Lent helps partner communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.