On Tuesday, September 24th, The Rotary Club of Saskatoon Nutana in partnership with St. Anne Inquiry School and Meewasin Valley Authority held its 17th annual Brick Dedication Ceremony at the Peace Plaza in Rotary Park. This year's brick is dedicated to honor 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Awardees Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad and was sponsored by club member Joe Dierker and Louise Rochon.
Out of 331 candidates for the 2018 Prize, these two won for their work to highlight and eliminate the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Nadia Murad was taken from her home in Northern Iraq by ISIS and was sold into sexual slavery until she was able to escape. Dr. Denis Mukwege is from the Congo and has treated tens of thousands of women in a country once called the rape capital of the world. He founded the Panzi Hospital which supports survivors of sexual assault. Grade 8 students from St. Anne Inquiry School prepared the presentation .
Since 2010, the Rotary Club of Saskatoon Nutana, in cooperation with Meewasin, has given people and organizations the opportunity to sponsor bricks recognizing winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. These bricks emphasize the Plaza’s role as a centre for peace activities in Saskatoon, and serve to inspire visitors to the Plaza to follow the Nobel Peace Laureates’ example in working for peace at home and abroad. The continued partnership with St. Anne Inquiry School helps to encourage students to lead by example and that it only takes one person to make a difference in the world. Bricks are available for dedication through Meewasin or the Rotary Club of Saskatoon Nutana.
View the photo album from the day's events here: photoalbums/2024-brick-dedication-ceremony