Peace Week

“YMCA World Peace Day” is recognized by YMCAs around the world on the third Saturday of November. In Canada, the YMCA uses World Peace Day as the opening of “YMCA Peace Week.”

In 1987, the International Committee of the Fredericton Y assumed national responsibility for producing the support materials for YMCA Peace Week. These included the institution of the Peace Medallion, now used across Canada–as well as in the US and Mexico–during Peace Week to recognize the achievements of individuals in local communities who–without any special resources–demonstrate in their lives and activities the values expressed in the World Alliance of YMCA’s Statement on Peace (1981), which states (in part):

Peace has many dimensions. It is not only a state of relationships among nations. We cannot expect to live in a world of peace if we are unable to live in peace with those close to us. . . . The responsibility for peace begins with each person in relationships with family and friends, and extends to community life and national activities. There are no simple recipes.

To nominate someone for the Peace Medallion, contact the International and Social Development Department at: 444-3081.

 Origin of the Peace Medallion

Jon V. Oliver is the 2011 YMCA Peace Medallion recipient.

 When nominated for the Peace Medallion, Jon Oliver was described as an “endearing gadfly to city, provincial, and federal officials. Jon reminds politicians of their responsibilities to the common good. Jon has motivated countless individuals, including many young people, to become politically engaged and active whether it is through participating in party politics or community activist groups, defending civil liberties, advocating for the protection of Fredericton’s natural spaces or building community in his neighbourhood.” 

 Jon Oliver was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and studied architecture at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. He earned a Canada Council Fellowship to do his Masters’ degree at the University of Liverpool in Great Britain.

After graduation, he worked for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in Ottawa,   Halifax, and St. John's where he became engaged in reviewing plans for public housing, seniors housing and urban renewal projects. In this role, he became convinced that there was no reason why Public Housing could not be designed and constructed with the same care given to private developments.

After a time in Newfoundland, he came to Fredericton in 1969 to work for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation as the architect-planner. He continued to work on public housing as well as land-assembly projects which led to the development of sub-divisions in the province. He was intent on ensuring that a range of housing be available for people of all income levels. The elimination of financing for these programs by the incumbent federal Liberal government and the disappearance of his job encouraged him to take up an individual private practice in 1976 where he has been since. He is approaching being the oldest practising architect in the province.

He participated in the founding of the “Mysterious East”—an independent magazine which from 1969-1972 provided an alternative voice to the media monopolies in the Atlantic Provinces. Stories on architecture, planning and gardening were informed by Jon’s commitment to social justice and eating.

He is a member of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and is a founding member of the West Platt Community Association. He has worked tirelessly to advocate public policies which bridge gaps of inequality and systemic violence. He has done pro bono architectural work for organizations he supports, including the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, the Fredericton Food Bank, and the John Howard Society of Fredericton.

In front of his house on Northumberland Street—which has also been home to many students at the local universities—there is a community bulletin board and a bench for passersby. He demonstrates in very concrete ways his commitment to developing neighbourhoods in which all feel welcome and safe, where people can enjoy nature and have access to the services due to them. Students who rented accommodations at his house received not only housing but also encouragement to become engaged in their community while excelling in their course work. In the nomination papers, a lawyer from Moncton was quoted as saying that living at Jon’s was just as valuable, if not more, than his four years at university.

For all of his efforts and, especially, for the inspiration he has been to others, the 2011 medallion will be presented to Jon Oliver at a YMCA Peace Week ceremony on November 26 at the Hugh John Flemming Forestry Complex, 7:00 p. m.

I
Medallion Recipients

1987 - Jim and Kay Bedell
1988 - Allayne Armstrong (posthumously)
1989 - Father Monte Peters
1990 - Richard Blaquière
1991 - Saint Paul's United Church Refugee Committee
1992 - Judge Graydon Nicholas
1993 - Concerned Youth for Development [CYD]
1994 - The Staff and Volunteers of Transition House
1995 - Valerie Drury
1996 - Judy Loo
1997 - Robert and Marie Young
1997 - Inez Flemington (posthumously)
1998 - Brian and Elaine Perkins-McIntosh
1999 - Pauline Cunningham
1999 - Juan Montalvo (posthumously)
2000 - Judy Coates
2001 - Lorenzo Fabro
2002 - Comité de l'avenir of the Cercle Français
2003 - Karl McLellan and Charlotte Gallager (posthumously)
2004 - Anna Christie
2005 - Brigid Toole Grant
2006 - Mavis Doucette
2007 – Yvonne Mersereau and Gloria Paul
2008 – The Epsilon Y’s Men and Y’s Mennettes
2009 - Sister Eleanor McCloskey
2010 - Jonhnny Evans