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YMCA 2026 Peace Week Nominations Open

Celebrating Youth Who Are Building Communities

YMCA Peace Week is a time to celebrate the presence of peace in our communities and recognize the people who are helping to build stronger, more inclusive places to live, work and belong.

For 2026, our YMCA of Cape Breton is focusing Peace Medal nominations on youth ages 15–30.

Across Cape Breton, young people are stepping forward as leaders, advocates, volunteers, mentors and community-builders. They are creating spaces where others feel welcome, speaking up for positive change, bringing people together and inspiring their peers to take action.We want to recognize them.

Know a young person who is making a difference? Nominate them for a 2026 YMCA Peace Medal. Nominations close on Monday, November 2, 2026.

Nominate today!

About the YMCA Peace Medal

As part of YMCA Peace Week, YMCAs across Canada recognize people who demonstrate a commitment to building peace through their actions in their local, national or global communities.

Peace is about more than the absence of conflict. It is built through everyday actions that strengthen relationships, encourage understanding, create belonging and empower people to make a difference.

In 2026, the YMCA of Cape Breton will recognize up to three young people between the ages of 15 and 30 whose actions demonstrate the values of PEACE and who are helping create positive change in their communities.

2026 Theme: Empowering Youth

Young people have an important role to play in shaping the future of our communities.This year’s Peace Medal nominations will celebrate youth who use their voices, ideas, talents and actions to strengthen their communities and empower others.

A nominee might be someone who:

  • Advocates for an issue or cause that matters to their community
  • Volunteers their time to improve the lives of others
  • Creates opportunities for other young people to participate or lead
  • Challenges discrimination, exclusion or barriers
  • Mentors, supports or encourages their peers
  • Inspires others to take action and make a positive difference
  • Brings people together and helps others feel they belong

These are examples, not requirements. Peace-building can take many forms, and we encourage nominations that show the different ways young people are strengthening communities across Cape Breton.

Who Can Be Nominated?

  • Nominees must be between the ages of 15 and 30
  • Nominations should focus primarily on activities or contributions made within the last two years
  • Self-nominations will not be considered
  • YMCA of Cape Breton staff members are not eligible for nomination

Individuals whose professional employment specifically involves paid peace-building work are not eligible based solely on that work. Nominees do not need to be YMCA members or participants.

Peacemaker Selection Criteria

Peace Medal recipients demonstrate the values of PEACE:

  • P = Participation Getting involved and encouraging others to participate in activities that strengthen their community.
  • E = Empathy Listening to and understanding different perspectives while helping create a sense of belonging for all.
  • A = Advocacy Using their voice and actions to encourage positive change.
  • C = Community Building relationships, connections and stronger communities.
  • E = Empowerment Inspiring others and helping people gain the confidence, skills or opportunities they need to succeed.

Nominees do not need to demonstrate each value equally. The selection committee will consider the overall impact of the nominee’s actions and how they contribute to a more peaceful, inclusive and connected community.

Nominate a Peacemaker

Nominations close on Monday, November 2, 2026. Recipients will be recognized during YMCA Peace Week in November 2026.