Mennonite Central Committee Peacebuilding Program Review

CCBR is working with MCCs (Mennonite Central Committee entities) across Canada to review local peacebuilding programs. In this research project, we will identify common themes and learnings across this shared program and offer recommendations for its strategic development.

Peace is at the heart of MCC’s vision and the goal of the work. Peacebuilding is a set of practical tools and practices that are offered and taught through peacebuilding projects; programming with the explicit goal of addressing the root causes of conflict, violence and injustice; and through engagement work. These efforts aim to reduce, prevent, and transform conflict using non-violent approaches, from a macro (i.e., conflict between nations) to a micro scale (conflicts between individuals).  

The project will begin with a desk study, reviewing project planning, monitoring, and reporting documents across the country. Then, in interviews with the six program directors (from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and the national office), we will probe deeper into understanding the past five years of programming and gather ideas for the future. After which, we will conduct two focus groups with program staff from across the country. Finally, an online survey will be shared with program participants, to capture their perspectives.

The final report (for internal use) will summarize findings across interest-holder perspectives by main research question, listed as the following:

1.  What are the common activities and themes across provincial and regional offices?

2.  What impact is the shared peacebuilding program making towards its collective goals?

3.  What opportunities are there to improve the impact and effectiveness of the shared peacebuilding program and its specific projects?

4.  Based on what we learn, what strategic recommendations should be considered for better reaching the collective program goals?

The learnings from this review will help to provide recommendations for strategic development of this program across the MCCs and identify potential for further development of this program in Canada and for collaboration and learning between MCC entities.