Peace promotion among ethnically diverse youth: Reflection on an agency's vision

Abstract

This paper is a critical reflection based on my experience as a research consultant with Canadian Mennonite University’s nonprofit Institute for Community Peacebuilding (ICP). The focus of this study is ICP’s, The Gathering: a youth camp, designed to decrease violence in Winnipeg’s inner-city. This review employs Ulrich’s (1983) critical systems heuristics (CSH) framework as a protocol for facilitating effective professional engagement and dialogue among the Gathering’s stakeholders. The analysis highlights underlying assumptions influencing the Gathering and how this may manifest in the organization’s capacity to realize their vision. Implications for program development within the Gathering are discussed.