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Who we are

Who we are

At a glance

Development and Peace – Caritas Canada is the official international development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada.

We are the Canadian member of Caritas Internationalis, a global confederation of over 160 Catholic organizations around the world.

Our 12,500+ members across Canada are the heart of what we are: a democratic movement for international solidarity that acts for social justice.

Mission

The double mission of Development and Peace – Caritas Canada is inspired by the values of the Gospel and more particularly by the preferential option for the poor.

Our mission involves both community development and humanitarian aid around the world, as well as awareness-raising, mobilization and advocacy here in Canada.

Community development and humanitarian aid
overseas

We work in partnership with local organizations in the Global South in the pursuit of alternatives to unjust social, political and economic structures.

We support women in their search for social and economic justice.

Raising awareness, advocacy and action in Canada

We educate Canadians about the causes of impoverishment and inspire them to advocate and act for change.

In the struggle for human dignity, we associate with social change groups in the North and South.

History

Development and Peace – Caritas Canada was established in 1967 by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in response to Pope Paul VI’s call to Catholics living in developed nations “to be in the first ranks of those who spare no effort to have just and fair laws, based on moral precepts, established among all nations.” (Populorum Progressio, 81).

Development, the new name for Peace.

Peace cannot be seen simply as the absence of war. It must be built daily, and it must strive towards a more perfect justice among human beings (Populorum Progressio, 76). That founding principle of Development and Peace is still maintained today.

Discover the milestones in our history and in our work in Canada and around the world:

Governance

Development and Peace – Caritas Canada is a movement of over 12,500 members who are part of a global community committed to achieving justice and equity for all.

By participating in the democratic life of Development and Peace, our members influence the direction, the composition, and the activities of the organization.

Our members come together in local groups, diocesan councils and regional assemblies.

The National Council, composed of 15 directors elected by the grassroots membership, is the main decision-making body of Development and Peace – Caritas Canada.

These 15 directors are volunteers, with a profile of expertise and experience established by the Board, which allows them to successfully fulfill their role.

National Council 2023-2024

Executive Committee

Team

The organization can count on a team of competent and engaged people who are committed to its mission and who work hard, each in their own field of expertise, to reduce injustice and poverty in the world.

The vast majority of our staff work at our head office in Montreal, Quebec.

We also have several regional offices to be close to our members, supporters, and donors across the country.

Management team

Networks

As building a more just world is a collaborative effort, we are part of various Canadian and international networks that share our vision, such as:

Videos

Discover Development and Peace’s international solidarity and social justice work in 1 minute!

Some wishes from members and partners on the occasion of Development and Peace’s 55th anniversary.

A 20-minute documentary highlighting our successes, struggles and key moments in our history over the decades.