Moncton mediator to speak at Chinese peace event

by SARAH SEELEY

From a young age, Darlene Doiron has been fascinated with the subject of peace.

"It's a concept that has always intrigued me," she said, noting she enjoys asking people how they find peace in their lives. "I think peace comes from within"

Her love of the notice of peace led her into a career of conflict management as a mediator for the federal government and being part of a group that helped to get Moncton, Riverview and Dieppe.

While pursuing a master's degree in peace and conflict at the United Nations' University of Peace she learned about International Cities of Peace and wanted to bring that to Moncton.

She was one of the founding members of the Greater Moncton Peace Leaders Collaborative that helped the Moncton area obtain its peace city designation in 2020. At one point, the collaboration had over 60 members from different sectors contributing.

Now, after years of working in mediation and working for peace in Moncton, she will be speaking at the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Weihsien Concentration Camp in Weifang, China. The event is to commemorate the Liberation of Weihsien - a camp used by the Japanese to intern thousands of civilians from Allied countries living in north China during the Second World War. Doiron is a member of an advisory committee for the International Cities of Peace organization. She and another member of the committee from Nigeria were asked to speak and give a declaration of peace at the event in August. The event is under the theme "Remembering History, Cherishing Peace, Creating the Future."

When asked what she planned to say in her address, Doiron said rather than focusing on the concentration camp she wants to talk about International Cities of Peace, a designation held by 425 cities around the world.

She plans to emphasize how Weifang, which has a peace city designation, has built bridges between its past and creating a future rooted in empathy, understanding and hope in its historic sites, education system and community.

As part of her message, she wants to empower the audience to take initiative in being a "peace leader" in their own unique way to those around them.

"It doesn't always have to be a big thing," she said. "Everybody can still do their own little piece of peace."

Doiron said she has seen examples of peace in Moncton like public talks on peace, concerts for peace, inner peace workshops, Rebecca Schofield's #Beccatoldmeto movement, art pieces inspired by peace, and elements of inclusion in diversity being written into policies in Metro Moncton.

A peace garden is being planned for Mapleton Park this summer with members of the community contributing to the garden design and fundraising $100,000.

"I think we're doing lots to advance peace. There's still a long way to go," said Doiron. "We still have issues that we need to address"

Dorion said she is finalizing her speech and travel preparations, which are being handled by the organizers of the peace event in China, being held Aug. 15-18.

"They're really making us feel very honored or valued ... the process has been very positive," she said.



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