Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT) was awarded the International Peace Award by the Community of Christ Church and the Shaw Family Foundation on April 22 during the church’s international conference.
Honouring CPT’s 35 years of peacemaking, the awarding body said, “We do this in recognition of your significant contribution to peacemaking through nonviolent accompaniment with those actively working for human rights and just peace. Your work includes spiritually centred peacemaking, evidenced by your multifaith relationships and organization. And we recognize that you do all this with a willingness to put yourself in harm’s way.”
Receiving the award, Muriel Schmid, CPT’s administrative director, reflected on the conference’s theme of courage. “The peace award gives us courage and encourages us literally to continue our journey of the work of peace and justice, which can never be done in isolation,” she said. “Your community and our community will continue the walk together. . . . We can be courageous together.”
Sending a message of thanks from Colombia, Milena Rincón, CPT’s program director, highlighted the centrality of “authentic relationships” in CPT’s work of accompaniment which has shaped the accompaniment practice.
“We remain committed to building accompaniment relationships where the voices and experiences of those who are part of CPT and those we accompany continue to be valued, heard and honoured,” she said. “To advance in this commitment, we must continue to reflect on our reason for being CPT, listen when we are challenged and affirmed, and be willing to transform ourselves and be accompanied on this journey.”
A $25,000 cash award accompanied the recognition for CPT to continue the work of transformative peacemaking.
The International Peace Award has been presented annually since 1993.
CPT's award depicts two hands, the smaller hand cradled by the larger, and both cradling a globe. (Supplied photo)
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