Student Peace Alliance coordinator Aaron Voldman
and Canada counterpart, Stephanie Jensen-Cormier.

Dear all,

This is to thank Aaron, Steph, Peter, Theresa and others who helped with the

DoP project at the 4-day National YOUCAN Conference in Ottawa this week.

The DoP participation in this Convention with 500 youth delegates was
extensive. We were the opening keynote speaker - Aaron and Steph made very
impressive presentations. Their speeches brought us the following day
participants  (age 12 to 15 yrs) in two interactive DoP workshops. The
workshop entitled "Peace Activism and Sept of Peace" involved participation
of 50 youths, these were moderated by Aaron, Steph, Peter and myself.
Presence of our two DoP youth reps was very crucial as this was a conference

with a unique platform where the youths were meant to resolve problems of
other youths.  Next day, DoP was again part of the three "Dialogues"
involving all the delegates. It tackled the theme of ' Peace as a Profession

and as a Volunteer'.  The event also had in the hotel lobby information
kiosks to meet with and distribute relevant material to the delegates. Most
of DoP brochures provided by Victoria chapter were picked by the attendees.

The feedback from both Workshops and Dialogues was useful.  We see a great
potential for youth chapter formation in partnership with YOUCAN (and
independently) over the next 12 months. Peter and I in a couple of weeks
will be meeting with friends in YOUCAN  to discuss the feedback received and

an action plan indicating potential nodes where such youth chapter
development across Canada might be feasible. Some of this feedback will be
also covered in our April 03-05  "Peace as a Profession in 21st Century
Conference", where YOUCAN executive has agreed to participate in one of the
panels.  Peter Stockdale has agreed to take the lead in coordinating the
youth chapter development with YOUCAN.

While Aaron, Steph and Peter will be writing separately about their
impressions of the Convention, this note is mainly to reiterate my grateful
thanks for their great contribution in championing DoP cause at this special

youth platform. I think we have broken some new ground here.

Love and Peace
Bill
Chair of Department of Peace Canada working group and YOUCAN organizer