Toronto, Canada

InterChange GTA provides a local coordination function that supports InterChange’s local and international purposes.  Food, laughter, and regular in-person contact are central principles of the local centre’s work.

Vision: Community-based peacebuilders sharing knowledge and supporting one another to nurture and develop dynamic, durable peace.

Mission: To foster and make visible community-based peacebuilding in the GTA and internationally.

We will do this by means which will include:

• Ensuring that people working for peace feel supported, knowledgeable and valued in their work.
• Helping peacebuilders develop the education, resources and networks they need to carry out their activities and improve their practice.
• Inspiring and supporting others to take up the cause of peace and see themselves as peacebuilders.

Administrative structure:

The GTA coordinating group has the following sub-functions / categories of work:

• Events and projects (education, training, skills building; advancing international project themes at a local level; networking AND fundraising to support this)
• Membership and outreach (connecting with our members and involving other peace builders as members, media, connecting with funders, website)
• Fundraising and finance
• Planning and facilitating GTA coordinating group meetings (setting up structure, reminding people of meetings, asking for RSVPs)
• Liaison with InterChange International

The group will regularly to address the above items; task forces can be set up to address priorities that have been identified

Regular agenda outline:

• Go-around and introductions
• Appreciation / celebration (preferably related to InterChange)
• Goals/emphasis of meeting; structural issues
• Liaison with InterChange International (report)
• Events and projects
• Membership and outreach
• Fundraising
• Future InterChange GTA meetings (next date, etc…)

Criteria for an InterChange project/event:

• Builds the capacity and visibility of InterChange
• Builds a community of community-based peacebuilders
• Builds relationships
• Meets InterChange’s definition of community-based peacebuilding
• Meets and promotes InterChange principles

Local activities for InterChange GTA:

• Local education / training / skills building activities
• Networking / relationship building / community support (getting to know each other, sharing stories, etc…)
• Newsletter (submitting articles, member profiles, events)
• Developing research / project activities at local level (e.g. on needs of peacebuilders); link with international if possible

Contact Information
community@interchange4peace.org