Albertans Paying It Forward: Development and Peace - Caritas Canada
Image: Development and Peace - Caritas Canada Logo
This story is one of ACGC's five-part series on Albertans 'paying it forward' in their work to make the world a more just, fair, and sustainable place for all. This story centers around the work of Development and Peace - Caritas Canada, which is dedicated to addressing the root causes of poverty, oppression, and inequality by working with partners in the Global South and by mobilizing Canadians in the common struggle for justice and dignity.
NOTE: quotes and details are taken from an interview with Carmen Michaud in July 2024, unless otherwise noted.
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After nearly 60 years in operation, Development and Peace – Caritas Canada has invested millions of dollars in several countries around the world. As the official international development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada, Development and Peace – Caritas Canada is widely recognized. Founded in 1967 by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the mission of Development and Peace has been to aid countries in the global south with both development projects and disaster relief. Click here learn more about Development and Peace’s history.
While many are familiar with Development and Peace’s work internationally, not everyone may be aware of Development and Peace’s work in Canada. Carmen Michaud is Development and Peace’s Animator for Alberta and the Northwest Territories, where she focuses on public and member engagement. “For over 10 years, we have been working to get the Canadian government to introduce laws to curb human and environmental rights violations by Canadian corporations overseas,” says Carmen, referring to the Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise. Carmen notes that while “we’ve been quite successful,” the ombudsperson does not have the ability to prosecute and there is still work to be done to ensure Canadians corporations are held accountable.
Image: Carmen Michaud (center) at ACGC's 2024 Confluence Program
Development and Peace also runs regular campaigns in Canada, which often highlight the work of their international partners, on topics such as fast fashion, rights of small scale farmers, impacts of bottled water, and the role of women. Development and Peace has a massive network of Parishes across Canada, and they are instrumental in driving advocacy and fundraising. Click here to learn more about Development and Peace’s work in Canada.
Justice for Women is one of the areas of focus for Development and Peace, along with Citizen Participation, Ecological Justice, Peace and Reconciliation, and Humanitarian Aid. “We apply a gender lens to all of our projects… gender is a central concern,” which Carmen believes is key to long-lasting change. “We know from experience that women often take the lead in changes within their communities and will often engage and motivate men, by example, to make those changes as well.” In 2017, Development and Peace released a thematic analysis “Women at the Heart of Change,” featuring several case studies of women changing their communities around the world. In the Canadian context, the Catholic Women’s League of Canada has partnered with Development and Peace since 1969, where Catholic women pledge 1% of their expendable income every year to projects supporting women and children. Of the partnership Carmen says, “this goes beyond simple charity to building understanding and connection.”
“Currently we have partners in Gaza [who are] taking great risks to provide shelter, food, and medical aid to the Christian and Muslim communities affected,” Carmen says of the most recent war. Development and Peace’s staff do not work overseas, but instead the organization provides funding and advocates for their partners and the crises in which they work, in line with their values of decolonizing aid. “We believe that people most often have the best solutions to their own challenges, and they most fully understand the context in which they work. We greatly value the insights they bring to their work.” Another example of this was after Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines in 2013. Despite the current practice being to displace the residents in order to properly assist them, Development and Peace supported their local partners in rebuilding on the land and allowing the residents to maintain their connections to their land and communities.
This is what Carmen believes is the way to pay it forward for future generations. “We pay it forward by creating capacities,” especially for women, as women who are empowered are more likely to empower other women and their children. “We also know that societies in which women and men enjoy greater equality are more peaceful and stable,” says Carmen, who also mentions that there is greater legitimacy to peace initiatives when women are involved and have their voices heard.
“We are all products of decisions made by previous generations and what we do matters to future generations.” - Carmen Michaud
To be engaged and take action, despite growing compassion fatigue, which Carmen cites as a huge but understandable issue, takes effort but is well worth the payoff. “The prairies were built on a spirit of cooperation,” says Carmen of the prairie provinces. Considering our neighbours, both at home and around the world, is “in our DNA and culture to do so.”
Image: Carmen Michaud (center) at ACGC's 2024 Confluence Program
Though the organization is part of the Catholic Church of Canada, people of all religious backgrounds are invited to get involved. To get involved with Development and Peace, attend an event, or become a member, please visit here.