Solidarity… is to fight against the structural causes of poverty, inequality, lack of work, land and housing, the denial of social and labour rights.
— Pope Francis’ address to popular movements, Vatican City, October 29, 2014
The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (also known as Caritas Canada) is one of the most established international development organizations in Canada and is the official international development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada. It was founded in 1967 by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to inspire the solidarity of Canadians towards their sisters and brothers around the world who are most affected by the injustice of poverty. In its 50 years of existence, it has invested $600 million in over 15,000 development projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. It is a strong and diverse movement of Canadians from coast to coast acting for justice so that the poorest can live in dignity and with respect.
Development and Peace is the official Canadian member of Caritas Internationalis, a global confederation of over 160 Catholic organizations, and belongs to several national and international networks, including CIDSE and Kairos, to help build a world of justice.
Overseas
Development and Peace works in partnership with close to 150 local organizations in over 30 countries around the world who are preserving and defending the lives and dignity of the communities they serve and empowering them to act for peace and promote their own development. We believe that those who live in poverty must be treated with dignity and given the opportunity to participate in decisions that impact their lives, and we support them in this endeavour.
In Canada
Here in Canada, Development and Peace organizes campaigns to raise awareness among Canadians of the global systems that create poverty and injustice and to raise funds to support local community organizations working for the life, dignity and rights of impoverished communities. We are supported by an unparalleled network of thousands of members across Canada that give life to our campaigns in their parishes, schools, universities and in their communities-at-large. Over the years, Development and Peace has campaigned on crucial issues, such as apartheid, sweatshops, the right to water, and access to justice for communities affected by the extractive industries. These campaigns educate Canadians and urge them to act for effective, sustainable, and positive change.
Western Region
(Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Yukon)
Contact
For general inquiries, to order materials, or learn about how you can participate in our mission, contact:
Email: dpwest@devp.org Phone: 780-469-1010 ext. 2180 or 1-844-480-3387 (toll free)
For support and service to Catholic Schools, contact:
For support and service to Catholic parishes, universities, ecumenical/interfaith organizations and community groups, contact:
Together We Serve
In addition to receiving donations directly from individuals, Development and Peace receives support from parishes through Together We Serve, the annual charitable appeal in the Archdiocese of Edmonton.
Resources
Development and Peace provides resources on four program areas : ecological justice, mining justice, peace and reconciliation, and food security. We can also provide education and formation on Catholic Social Teaching. For resources and more information, visit www.devp.org.