About Us
An Introduction
We are very excited to launch Learn Peace Canada (LPC) , a national organization committed to creating accessible, transformational, peace education opportunities for learners of all ages.
What is Peace Education?
UNESCO defines peace education as education for non-violence and peace includes training, skills and information directed towards cultivating a culture of peace based on human rights principles.
Working together, we strive to grow leaders and build strong communities across Canada, integrating the eight pillars of positive peace, creating a world where no one is left behind.
Vision Statement
To build and sustain a universal understanding of peace education to foster harmony with self, family, and community
Mission Statement
We collaborate and empower people through transformational learning to create and establish positive peace within individuals, communities, and around the world
Strategic Priorities
Collaborate to co-develop peace education tools, resources and provide learning for youth, educators, educational institutions, community organizations, its members, and other key stakeholders
To provide leadership development and learning opportunities for young people to foster and understanding of peace and build competencies around positive peace
Values
- Compassionate action
- Empathy
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and a safe space of belonging
- Human Dignity
- Collaboration
- Sustainability
- Innovative
- Transformational Learning
CEO and Founder
Tamara C Larson MA, CWHP - A
Tamara Larson is an impactful leader with a heart for servant leadership. Growing up in a home with a family business, and a mother who was a teacher, she developed a love of education and an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age. Understanding her family was in a position of privilege, she learned the importance of giving back and offering a hand up.
On her journey, Tamara has faced both personal and professional challenges; inspired by this, Tamara has founded two national organizations invested in building strong, safe, healthy communities. Grow Leaders is her social enterprise invested in creating diverse and inclusive cultures that supports Learn Peace Canada.
Using education as a key tool, together, she and her teams create dynamic leadership development opportunities that provide action plans for changemakers.
Choosing to be an upstander and changemaker, Tamara is a Rotarian dedicated to supporting human rights, peace building and conflict resolution; she was named Rotarian of the Year in 2018 for her work in developing leading edge youth programs and risk management protocols.
Today, she is Curriculum Manager for the Rotary Adventures in Human Rights program in collaboration with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, an Empowering Girls Ambassador for Rotary International along with being named a Women United Cabinet Member, United Way Alberta Capital Region.
She was nominated in 2021 and again in 2022 for the prestigious Tällberg-SNF- Eliasson Global Leadership Prize, RBC 2023 Women of Influence nominee and most recently awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.
In August 2023, Grow Leaders was honored to be recognized as at Top Emerging Diversity and Inclusion Company in Canada.
Most recently, she was invited by UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research) to participate in their outstanding Women’s Leadership for Peace program in Geneva (October 2023).
Tamara is a global citizen invested in creating safe spaces as we build sustainable cultures of positive peace and world where no one is left behind.
Board of Directors
Tamara C Larson, CEO and Founder
Taiseer Shareif, Vice Chair
Ingrid Neitsch, Director
Guiscela Perez Arellano Gutierrez, Director
Linda Connor, Secretary
Arshi Mirza, Treasurer
Rick Istead, Curriculum Committee
Get to know us
Taiseer Shareif, Vice Chair
Guiscela Perez Arellano, Director
Ingrid Neitsch, M. Ed, Director
Taiseer is a business analyst and management consultant. She holds a Masters degree in Management with focus on Innovation, Technology & Operations. In addition to post graduate degree in international business, she holds a bachelor degree in accounting and finance and is pursuing a CPA designation.
She nurtures a keen interest in designi
Taiseer is a business analyst and management consultant. She holds a Masters degree in Management with focus on Innovation, Technology & Operations. In addition to post graduate degree in international business, she holds a bachelor degree in accounting and finance and is pursuing a CPA designation.
She nurtures a keen interest in designing and implementing knowledge sharing and strategies to raise awareness about positive peace and peace building activities locally, nationally and internationally.
As a self taught artist, Taiseer believes that art is a great non-violence tool for expression and conflict resolution.
Taiseer has recently accepted the role of Co-Chair and Treasurer with
Rotary Adventures in Human Rights
Ingrid Neitsch, M. Ed, Director
Guiscela Perez Arellano, Director
Ingrid Neitsch, M. Ed, Director
Ingrid is a dynamic educator with over 25 years’ experience in the Edmonton Public School system, with 15 years in high-profile leadership roles including principal of the largest performing arts school in Western Canada. Ingrid holds a Masters of Education degree from the University of Alberta and is committed to her own lifetime learni
Ingrid is a dynamic educator with over 25 years’ experience in the Edmonton Public School system, with 15 years in high-profile leadership roles including principal of the largest performing arts school in Western Canada. Ingrid holds a Masters of Education degree from the University of Alberta and is committed to her own lifetime learning.
A proud member of the Rotary Club of Edmonton West since 2006, Ingrid was honored to serve her District as Governor in 2018-2019. During her Governor year, several new clubs were chartered, the Yukon territory was transitioned into D5370 and Ingrid’s peace initiative to reach Global Peacebuilder status was realized. As Chair of the District Peacebuilder Committee, a Peace video was produced to launch a new Positive Peace Club initiative using a peacebuilder lens. Ingrid is passionate about promoting peace education and peace poles in local communities. She is currently serving as Director on a number of Boards including the Waterton - Glacier International Peace Park Association.
As Coordinator of the Regional Rotary Foundation Resource Team for Zone 28, Ingrid is confident that working closely with District and Club leadership teams, The Rotary Foundation’s mission will be fulfilled.
Ingrid supports the Rotary Foundation as a Major Donor, a multiple Paul Harris fellow, Paul Harris and Bequest Society member, and Benefactor.
From a personal perspective, Ingrid was born in Germany and resides in Edmonton with her partner, Clive. She is the proud parent of fraternal twins: Christopher, the president of an international machine and manufacturing company in Edmonton, and Kirsten, vice president of strategic marketing for a large corporation, based in Houston.
In addition to Rotary events and projects, Ingrid enjoys time with her family, traveling, hiking trails in the Rocky Mountains of Canmore, attending the symphony and theatre, Argentine tango, reading and mindfulness meditation.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingridneitsch/
Guiscela Perez Arellano, Director
Guiscela Perez Arellano, Director
Guiscela Perez Arellano, Director
Born and raised in Durango, Mexico, Guiscela’s life began in a household built by a family of architects. Just like her parents, Guiscela had the architectural spirit in her blood and began to build her own life at a very young age. Wishing to build her own foundation with experience and perspective, Guiscela started to travel. She would
Born and raised in Durango, Mexico, Guiscela’s life began in a household built by a family of architects. Just like her parents, Guiscela had the architectural spirit in her blood and began to build her own life at a very young age. Wishing to build her own foundation with experience and perspective, Guiscela started to travel. She would spend her summers in Los Angeles with her aunt, uncle and cousins, perfecting her English and preparing herself to travel beyond her continent. At the age of 16, Guiscela took part in a Rotary exchange program and had the opportunity to live in Germany and make it her new home for a year. Immediately immersing herself in the language, culture and family that was willing to teach her, Guiscela thrived in her new German environment, learning the language and gaining many new skills that would eventually open up the world up to her.
She then decided to spend a year in Paris, working as an au pair, learning French and exploring her palat by enjoying French cuisine, wine and cheese. Once she returned from France, Guiscela wanted to finish her studies in Public Relations at the University of Guadalajara, where she met her best friend and had many influential experiences; not only academic, but socially and culturally as well.
After her travels and endeavors, Guiscela decided to return to her hometown of Durango and spend a few years there, using her newly gained travel experiences and academic knowledge to work as a teacher, making a difference in her home town and taking the opportunity to enjoy her family. However, that instinctual zest for life and experiences continued to flow through her veins, and eventually Guiscela wanted some more experiences, the kind of experiences that she knew could only be achieved by new adventures, in new countries. She then decided to move to Canada, where she became a citizen, met her husband, ran for municipal office, built a family, and where she has been a proud member of the Edmonton community since 2012.
Arshi Mirza, Treasurer
Linda Connor, Secretary
Guiscela Perez Arellano, Director
Born in India, grew up in Qatar and moved to Canada in 1996. Mother of three kids daughter Kiran, son Sahil and Sameer. Proud mother of these exceptional kids, they are thriving in all walks of life!!
Member of Rotary Club of Edmonton Whyte Avenue serving on committees and co-chair of Service Committee.
Former Campaign chair of Lloydmins
Born in India, grew up in Qatar and moved to Canada in 1996. Mother of three kids daughter Kiran, son Sahil and Sameer. Proud mother of these exceptional kids, they are thriving in all walks of life!!
Member of Rotary Club of Edmonton Whyte Avenue serving on committees and co-chair of Service Committee.
Former Campaign chair of Lloydminster District United Way and have served on many different organizations volunteering time such as Rendell Park School, Parents as Partners executive member. Member and office bearer on Ahmadiya Muslim Women’s Organization Lloydminster.
Proud to be part of this community and always out there to helping people, trying to make a difference in people’s lives.
Linda Connor, Secretary
Linda Connor, Secretary
Linda Connor, Secretary
After learning and teaching for over 3 decades in the classroom, Linda Connor continues to learn and work as the Social Studies Consultant for Manitoba Education. In addition to co-authoring the grade 11 Canadian history textbook, Shaping Canada, Linda has contributed to the grade 7 social studies textbook, The World Today, and the grade
After learning and teaching for over 3 decades in the classroom, Linda Connor continues to learn and work as the Social Studies Consultant for Manitoba Education. In addition to co-authoring the grade 11 Canadian history textbook, Shaping Canada, Linda has contributed to the grade 7 social studies textbook, The World Today, and the grade 9 civics textbook, Canada in the Contemporary World. Linda was on the Manitoba Social Studies Steering Committee and curriculum development teams for grades 7, 9 and 11 Social Studies. She is also the Provincial Coordinator for UNESCO Schools Network, which is committed to creating a culture of peace within and beyond the classroom, and is part of the Speaker’s Bureau for the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba, and co-edits the journal for Manitoba Social Studies educators.
Rick Istead, Curriculum
Linda Connor, Secretary
Linda Connor, Secretary
Rick joined the Rotary Club of Calgary Fish Creek in April 2007 and was club President in 2009-2010. Other club activities included the Stay in School program, Membership Chair from 2014-2016 and is currently the Youth Service Director. At the District level, Rick is the past Chair of the District Youth Exchange and Learning & Development
Rick joined the Rotary Club of Calgary Fish Creek in April 2007 and was club President in 2009-2010. Other club activities included the Stay in School program, Membership Chair from 2014-2016 and is currently the Youth Service Director. At the District level, Rick is the past Chair of the District Youth Exchange and Learning & Development Committees. In 2017-2018, Rick was the District 5360 Governor. , Beyond the District, Rick was a North American Youth Exchange Network (NAYEN) board member representing all of the independent Canadian Districts participating in Rotary’s Youth Exchange program. Rick also keeps active by volunteering weekly at the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank.
Rick is married to Pat and they have two daughters, Laura and Katherine, all of whom are also active volunteers.
Peace Education Creating a Culture of Peace
Greening Education Partnership
opportunities
Transforming Education
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
Ghandi
Education is our most powerful tool for change. It takes a village to create change; support from key stakeholders will truly make a difference.
Interested in supporting or collaborating on peace education initiatives and projects?
Reach out and together we can work together to transform education and build a peaceful world.
testimonials
Empowering girls through sports
Tamara,
I want to express my deepest gratitude for the incredibly impactful session you had with our U15 Softball team. Your teachings on strength, leadership, and inclusiveness will be transformative in the young women’s lives that you collided with that day. It's breathtaking to see how you interact with your audience when driving the importance of inner strength, standing tall in adversity, and believing in one's abilities.
But what truly set the day apart was your unwavering commitment to fostering leadership and inclusiveness. You created a safe space where every athlete's voice was heard and valued, regardless of what they wanted to share. You taught them the power of collaboration and how they can achieve great things by working together. Your emphasis on inclusiveness taught the importance of empathy, understanding, and appreciating the skills and perspectives of others, which will not only shape them as athletes and great team mates but also to shape them as community leaders of the future and world!
Thank you for creating such an amazing experience. It was everything I imagined and our young athletes (including their parents) thoroughly enjoyed your company.
All the best,
Jeff Purdy
U15 Team Manager"