Building the future: social engagement, resilience, and well-being

To mark the beginning of Peace Days 365, the Peace Network for Social Harmony is organizing an event under the theme “Building a Better Future: Social Engagement, Resilience and Well-Being”. 

This event aims to offer social sector professionals the support they need in the current difficult social climate  (polarization, political tensions and conflicts here and elsewhere, injustices, budget cuts, etc.) to take care of their well-being for a sustainable commitment and continued action towards peace.

When : Monday February 23, 2026,  9:00 – 1:00 PM

Lieu : Centre des mémoires montréalaises

(1210, boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montréal, Qc, H2X 2S5)

The event takes place in three parts:

1- Three discussions on social engagement, resilience, and well-being in the current context, followed by Q&A sessions 

Talk 1: Resilience in the Face of Personal, Professional and Community Challenges

Speaker: Amal Elsana Alh'jooj, Founder and Executive Director of PLEDJ – Promoting Leadership for Empowerment, Development and Justice

Moderator: Brian Bronfman, Co-founder and President of the Peace Network for Social Harmony

(talk in English)

Talk 2: Social engagement and Resilience

Speaker: Steven Laperrière, Executive Director of Regroupement des activistes pour l’inclusion au Québec

Moderator: Anna Krol, Executive Director of the Peace Network for Social Harmony

(talk in French)

Talk 3: Leadership, Resilience, and Well-being

Speaker: El-Hage Habib, Director of the Institute for Research on Immigration and Intercultural and Inclusive Practices (IRIPII)

Moderator: Anna Krol, Executive Director of the Peace Network for Social Harmony

(talk in French)

A question period is scheduled at the end of each talk. You can submit questions in advance (in the box provided below) or on the day of the event. 

2- Reflective workshop on the topics covered during the discussions, sharing of strategies among participants, and feedback in plenary session 

This workshop aims to provide a reflective review of the ideas presented during the discussions. It is a space for sharing practices and tools with a view to helping each other. The workshop will take place as follows: 

• Group discussions will allow participants to exchange their thoughts, strategies, challenges, etc.

• A plenary session will allow members of each group to share their thoughts with all participants.

The results of the discussions will be compiled and a workshop report will be produced and distributed after the event. 

3- The intervention of a wellness professional

Michael Obas-Condé Romain holds a PhD in clinical psychology. Driven by social justice, emotional health, and collective well-being, she focuses her practice on the social and community sectors. She will share her thoughts and advice with participants on the ideas she has heard during the discussions and on how to maintain their well-being at work while remaining engaged and resilient.  

Accessibility

The event is bilingual, with simultaneous translation in French and English. 

The room is accessible to people with disabilities.

Registration and fees

Participation in the event is free for Peace Days Partners, and Members and Friends of the Peace Network. There is a fee for non-partners. 

Space is limited. Do not hesitate to reserve your spot now.

Register

Important: If you reserve your place, please honor your commitment. In case of unforeseen circumstances, please cancel your reservation so as not to incur costs and to give others the opportunity to participate.