Peacebuilders International (Canada)

Peacebuilders is a youth focused, charity based in Toronto. The organization was established to improve the lives of youth, and help them succeed. We provide appropriate access to justice to youth at risk of being charged or currently facing the criminal justice system, help to get them back into school, empower them to overcome their personal challenges, and help them reach their full potential. Our programs foster resilient young leaders, who see the value in contributing to their communities. Peacebuilders’ focus is not solely on what we do, but also on how we do it. Our programs are grounded in restorative philosophies – an approach based on the belief that rehabilitation and healing produce greater and more sustainable outcomes than punishment, and that communities have an essential role to play in supporting the rehabilitation and healing of the individuals who live within them. We use a restorative dialogue process, that we call a Peacebuilding Circle, as the foundation for our work. Various models of circles have been used by cultures around the world for thousands of years, as a process to heal wrong-doing, repair relationships and build community. During our facilitated Peacebuilding Circle dialogue, participants are encouraged to listen to others, step into their shoes, share their experiences and work towards a common goal. This Circle model has broad applications, from simple discussions on decision making to conflict resolution and community building.