Have you ever had a pen pal? Was it a good experience? Did you learn about where they lived, their customs and culture, or perhaps their life circumstances, including the joys and the sorrows? When I was in grade 7, our teacher decided that assigning pen pals to the class would be a great learning…
by Canadian Friends Service Committee
Latest articles
Watch accomplished experts offer hope on the path to reconciliation
This past November, I was excited to reconnect with Chief Robert Joseph—a hereditary chief of the Gwawenuk people—at an event for the release of his book, Namwayut. He has been Executive Director of the Indian Residential School Survivors Society and an honorary witness to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We first met in 2013 at…
What does theory of change have to do with justice and peace?
You may have heard the term “theory of change” (ToC) used in recent years. There are many perspectives on how to use a ToC, including as: a way to track progress toward goals, an instrument to guide funding, and a communication tool. Since ToC is talked about and implemented in different ways, you might be…
Friends on the move
We’re pleased to welcome CFSC’s new Peace Program Coordinator Sarah Forrest! Sarah joins CFSC having worked for over 13 years in program implementation, project coordination, partnership development, and volunteer coordination in the nonprofit sector. She has worked internationally in Malawi and Ghana. She is currently completing a Master of Arts in Human Security and Peacebuilding…
Keeping up with Friends
New statements and letters Since the last edition of Quaker Concern CFSC has released the following statements and open letters: In response to the immanent threats of forced eviction of the residents of Masafer Yatta https://QuakerService.ca/MasaferYatta On the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples https://QuakerService.ca/UNDeclaration15 Calling…
Elevate the Voices of Those with Lived Experience
When I close my eyes and think about lived experience, I can still hear the words of children and youth I’ve met over the years: “They asked me questions in front of my parents. I couldn’t say anything with them in the room.” “It took me a year to say something to the teacher. I…
The Next Generation is Anxious for Change. They Need Help Getting It.
Young Canadians are worried about the state of the world. A perfect storm of a pandemic, climate change, and a steady stream of images of conflict are contributing to this. With regard to the environment, concern that their parents and grandparents are passing them a world on fire is leading many youth to feel angry,…