History of the Mauro Institute

The establishment of the Institute was also inspired by the belief that while religion has often been a cause of violence, coalitions of individuals inspired by different religious faiths can be significant peace-builders. Since its inception, the Mauro Institute has hosted dozens of students in the graduate programs, and has had tens of thousands of people from around the city participate in its outreach events.

The Mauro Institute's initial emphases has been the cultural, religious, and philosophical dimensions of peace; social, economic, and environmental justice; peace education; human rights; and the role of international organizations and standards in the quest for peace and justice. The Institute is also interested in the role of the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam in pointing ways for people to live in peace and harmony in a post-modern world.

St. Paul's College

The Mauro Institute is consistent with the College's identity and mission to inspire students to become leaders who are concerned about the world in which they live and who, as per the College's "Statement of Ethos" will be "men and women of right principles, in touch with their times, and in tune with their culture." In 1999, Dr. John Stapleton, former Rector of St. Paul's College, began to lay the groundwork to make Dr. Arthur Mauro's vision a reality. At the College, Dr. Mauro and Dr. Stapleton worked together to recruit a Steering Committee—comprised of prominent citizens from the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, academic, and civic communities—to guide the development of the institute in its formative stages.

The establishment of the institute was also inspired by the belief that while religion has often been a cause of violence, coalitions of individuals inspired by different religious faiths can be significant peace-builders. Therefore an initial focus of the institute has been the role of the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in pointing ways for peoples to live in peace and harmony in a post-modern world.

This ideal was symbolized in the institute's first outreach activity, the First Annual Sol Kanee Lecture on International Peace and Justice, delivered by Prince El Hassan bin Talal of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Dr. Stapleton recalls: "The lecture was organized by a Centre in the Catholic College of the University of Manitoba. It was named after a prominent and well-loved Jewish Winnipeg citizen, Sol Kanee, a former president of the World Jewish Congress. And it was delivered by a Muslim leader and significant thinker and activist in the area of peace and justice. More than 1,700 people attended this phenomenal event. Prince Hassan's message was well received."

University of Manitoba

The establishment of the Mauro Institute is also consistent with the stated values of the University of Manitoba, which emphasize the preparation of scholars and professionals who are dedicated to service and society. Further, the Mauro INstitute and the PhD Program in Peace and Conflict Studies are consistent with the University of Manitoba's strategic plan, "Building for a Bright Future," which places emphasis on research and graduate education that makes a difference to the province, the nation, and the world.

In 2003, University of Manitoba President Dr. Emöke Szathmáry stated: "To have a centre dedicated to addressing the most pressing issues of our day in an environment that insists on using reason, and relying on civility to permit dispute and discussion to foster understanding is an enormous contribution to the university."

Winnipeg

In addition to Dr. Mauro, more than 500 individuals and organizations have contributed to the support of the Institute. As mentioned above, the Mauro Institute is guided by a board of directors that are an important link between academy and the community.

The Winnipeg community is noteworthy for its strong history in the area of peace and justice, with numerous organizations in the city working towards those goals. People have come to Canada from all over the world, often escaping severe political violence and economic hardship. Winnipeg is the largest urban Aboriginal community in North America. Winnipeg has the largest French-speaking community in North America outside of Québec.

Winnipeg has a reputation for social justice advocacy across class, ethnic, and religious lines. The Winnipeg General Strike took place in 1919. During the post-World War II years, Winnipeg women politically mobilized across class and ethnic lines to protest rising milk and food prices.

Menno Simons College of Canadian Mennonite University offers a highly popular undergraduate program in Conflict Resolution Studies at the University of Winnipeg, which is the largest program of its kind in the world. The restorative justice approach for dealing with offenders within the criminial justice system is increasingly promoted in Manitoba. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is to be built in Winnipeg and named in honour of the city's renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, the late Dr. Israel Asper. Winnipeg-born Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, president of the University of Winnipeg, is known for the concept of human security and his work on behalf of the historic international landmine treaty.

As Mauro Institute board member Mr. James Carr put it, "Winnipeg will be a beacon of peace to the world."

PhD Program, Peace and Conflict Studies

In 2005, a PhD Program in Peace and Conflict Studies was established at the University of Manitoba and housed in the Institute was fully approved by the Council on Post-Secondary Education and the University of Manitoba. The first cohort of doctoral students was admitted in January 2006, a second cohort was admitted in September 2006, and a third cohort in September 2007. An interdisciplinary Graduate Program Committee was developed to oversee the PhD Program, and more then 30 faculty from throughout the University, Menno Simons College, and the University of Winnipeg who are engaged in relevant teaching and research have affiliated themselves with the PhD Program as potential advisors for doctoral students.

Outreach

The Mauro Institute has organized a number of outreach events, including the annual Sol Kanee Lecture Series on Peace and Justice, the Search for Common Ground Film Festival, the Winnipeg International Storytelling Festival: Storytelling on the Path to Peace, two Concerts for Peace, as well as a number of specialized lectures and workshops. The Mauro Institute has participated as a co-sponsor for many programs originated by other organizations as well.