Building Bridges & Breaking Barriers
Empowering the next generation of leaders to combat hate and foster interfaith harmony across the Prairies
Across Canada—and particularly in the Prairie provinces—communities are experiencing rising polarization, religious intolerance, and hate-motivated incidents affecting Indigenous, racialized, newcomer, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. These trends contribute to social fragmentation, isolation, and mistrust across communities.
The Peace Builders project aims to build bridges and foster interfaith and intercultural understanding through youth leadership, dialogue, and collaborative community action.
This initiative builds on nearly a decade of interfaith and youth leadership programming. It brings together youth aged 16–28, elders, faith leaders, and community mentors from diverse backgrounds to engage in experiential learning, dialogue, and collaborative problem-solving.
The objective of the project is to cultivate youth leaders who are better equipped to navigate the complexities of identities to promote peace and equity. There are two cohorts, one in Edmonton, Alberta and one in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan – where youth partake in a study tour around their respective cities and engage in various (faith based) institutions and learn about their cultures,traditions and practices. These spaces provide the opportunity to learn about what strengthens our communities and combat assumptions and misconceptions.
A Legacy of Peacebuilding
The Peace Builders program at the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights (JHC) has a rich history of fostering leadership, inclusion, and social change among young people across the Prairies. Since its inception in 2015, the program has been delivered nine times, evolving into a transformative, tried-and-true initiative that helps youth navigate interfaith and intercultural complexities. Today, it remains a cornerstone of JHC’s mission, equipping a new generation with the skills to serve as agents of peace and reconciliation in an increasingly polarized world.
HOW IT WORKS: A STUDY TOUR
Learn: Travel through Edmonton or Prince Albert to learn directly from Elders, faith leaders, and mentors.
Engage: Participate in critical dialogue about identity, faith, and the challenges our communities face.
Act: Develop collaborative solutions to combat hate-motivated incidents and promote equity in your hometown through art and present learnings.
GET INVOLVED
For Youth (Ages 16–28)
Ready to lead? If you’re passionate about social justice and want to build a more inclusive Canada, we want you. Join a cohort of diverse peers for an unforgettable experiential learning journey.
For Community Sites & Leaders
Share your story. We are looking for Indigenous, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, and other diverse cultural hubs to host the young Peace Builders. Help us shape the leaders of tomorrow by sharing your values and your journey.