Publications
in Social Entrepreneurship
“He has been instrumental in erecting bridges between cultural communities and fostering goodwill and understanding.” -Prime Minister Stephen Harper
publications in social entrepreneurship
Please take your time to go through the articles below for excerpts and links to full articles.
Source: weeklyvoice.com, February 6, 2018
TORONTO: Noted lawyaer and legal luminary Mark M. Persaud has been awarded the Canada 150 Anniversary Medal for outstanding contributions in his chosen field.
Mark M. Persaud, LL.B., LL.M., LL.D. honoris causa is a member of the Ontario Bar and held a broad range of positions with the Department of Justice as a prosecutor, counsel to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and civil litigation counsel.
He studied political science at York University and obtained his law degrees from Osgoode Hall Law School.
He also studied at the Center for Study of Values in Public Life at Harvard University. He is the recipient of many awards and recognitions for his civic and public sector contributions including a Public Sector Law Gold Key Award in 2007 from Osgoode Hall Law School, both the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals for leadership and significant service to Canada and being nominated by the diplomatic community for the prestigious 2006 Seoul Peace Prize.
By Jasminee Sahoye, The Caribbean Camera, June 4, 2009
He fled Guyana 25 years ago with just $80 for a safer and better life and even though it has not been an easy path for Mark Persaud, his contributions to fostering social cohesion among communities have not gone unnoticed.
At a tribute dinner in his honour early last month, Prime Minister Stephen Harper joined in congratulating Persaud saying “he has been instrumental in erecting bridges between cultural communities and fostering goodwill and understanding.”…
By Paul Lungen
When members of the Jewish and Somali communities held a press conference last year to announce a mentorship program, Mark Persaud was there to lend his support.
Though neither Jewish nor Somali, Persaud was instrumental in bringing the two sides together in an effort to promote goodwill between two communities that, at first blush, might not be considered the most natural of allies.
Persaud, president of the Canadian International Peace Project (CIPP), an organization that fosters pluralism and inner-community relationships, said that ever since the terrorist attacks on 9/11, he had “looked for an opportunity to bring Jews and Muslims together and build relationships at the organizational level.”
His efforts to promote inter-community goodwill will be recognized at a tribute dinner May 7, as CIPP and friends “celebrate 25 years of exceptional contributions and public service to Canada.”
By Linda Spark, Canadian Immigrant Magazine, April 2007 Issue
Turning adversity into a rewarding experience has become a way of life for Mark Persaud. In 1988, during a time of civil unrest, Persaud and thousands of others fled to Canada from his home country of Guyana. He was allowed to leave with $200.00 Guyanese which amounted to $80.00 Canadian. Sice he was not allowed or receive social assistance, he found himself homeless. The winter of 1983-84 was a particularly cold one and he was on the street for months before someone saw him shivering and insisted he go to the Scott Mission for help. Many shelters are filled with those with psychological and alcohol problems and can be frightening for refugees, says Persaud, but he was so cold that he put aside his trepidation. At the Scott Mission, he met Eileen Brown, who provided him with a jacket and food. She dedicated herself to finding ways to help the young Persaud the factors that were preventing him from integrating. Years later, when asked why she had paid particular attention to Persaud, Brown told him “because a lot of people I see have given up on life but I say that you still had that spark.”
By Sheila Dropkin, Lifestyle Magazine, Fall 2009
If someone were to make a film about Mark Persaud’s life, although the story would resemble the American Dream, the star would be pure north…
By Samuel Getachew, The Huffington Post, 09/26/12
Long before Mark Persaud became the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal winning activist, the noted Toronto lawyer spent many trying days as a new immigrant on the streets of Toronto, homeless.
He opens up on the early days as an immigrant, his law career, why he is a patriotic Canadian and the reason why he is committed to peace and justice in Canada and abroad via the Canadian International Peace Project.
Mark , You have had a storied Canadian life. Tell us about your journey so far.
By Samuel Getachew, The Huffington Post, 09/26/12
Long before Mark Persaud became the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal winning activist, the noted Toronto lawyer spent many trying days as a new immigrant on the streets of Toronto, homeless.
He opens up on the early days as an immigrant, his law career, why he is a patriotic Canadian and the reason why he is committed to peace and justice in Canada and abroad via the Canadian International Peace Project.
Mark , You have had a storied Canadian life. Tell us about your journey so far.
By Paul Lungen, Staff Reporter, Canadian Jewish News– November 6, 2008
The Jewish-Somali Project launched last week at a Toronto high school. Announcing the initiative were, from left, James Morton, Mark Persaud, Bernie Farber, Howard English and Digal Haio.
TORONTO — Its proponents didn’t quite bill it as a light unto the nation, but they came pretty close.
Last week, representatives of Jewish and Somali community organizations announced a joint mentorship program that they suggested could serve as a model of ethnic co-operation for other Canadians.
Spokespeople for Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and the Canadian Somali Congress (CSC) gathered at Kipling Collegiate Institute in the city’s west end to announce the partnership. The project was initiated under the auspices of the Canadian International Peace Project (CIPP), one of whose governors, law professor Ed Morgan, is past president of CJC and an honourary patron of the CSC.
“The Jewish-Somali project presents a paradigm shift in our approach to multiculturalism wherein two very different and diverse groups are working together to assist in building stronger communities,” said Mark Persaud, president and CEO of CIPP. “For Canada to avoid the serious problems of integration of diaspora communities as currently being experienced by European and other countries, it is imperative that as Canadians we exercise bold and innovative leadership to promote greater social cohesion. The CIPP is providing such important leadership.”
By Irene Becker, 3Q Leadership Blog, September 17, 2018
I think that it is especially important to honour those who have lived a life of service and whose work has changed and saved many lives. Mark Persaud is such a man, and I am delighted to share his answers to my 3 trailblazer questions. And, if you want to get inspired, skip to the bottom of this post for his biography. Kudos, Mark Persaud for being a change-maker and trailblazer who has not only inspired many and changed their lives, but also represents leadership in the truest sense of the word. – Irene Becker
Success Leaves Clues. 3 important questions, and equally important answers from Mark Persaud and his inspiring bio!
What is your favourite quote? “Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.” – Norman Cousins
What do you want to be remembered for? I want to be remembered for fearlessness, passion, resilience, compassion and love of animals
Source: Canadian International Peace Project Website
Mark Persaud, Amanda Lindhout and Ahmed Hussen at First Christian Reformed Church in Red Deer, AlbertaThe Canadian International Peace Project and the Canadian Somali Congress represented by Mark Persaud and Ahmed Hussen and Professor Hussein Warsame of the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary were invited by Amanda Lindhout to support the launch of the Somali Women Scholarship Program at the First Christian Reformed Church in Red Deer, Alberta, the Lindhout family church, on Sunday, May 16th, 2010.
By Samuel Getachew, Huffington Post, 09/26/2012
Long before Mark Persaud became the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal winning activist, the noted Toronto lawyer spent many trying days as a new immigrant on the streets of Toronto, homeless.
He opens up on the early days as an immigrant, his law career, why he is a patriotic Canadian and the reason why he is committed to peace and justice in Canada and abroad via the Canadian International Peace Project.
Mark , You have had a storied Canadian life. Tell us about your journey so far.
I was a student activist involved in opposing the government at the time in my country of origin. Like thousands of others, I fled the civil and political unrest after the assassination of the leader of the political party I supported. The regime was also targeting all its political opponents. I came to Canada to seek safety. The plan was to stay in Canada and eventually join my family in the United States. We were awaiting American visas to immigrate there but I was at risk, so my family sent me to Canada. The regime in my country of origin only permitted us to leave with $200 (CDN$80.59).
How was it being an immigrant to Canada?
My immigration status in Canada did not allow me to work or receive any form of social assistance so I ended up homeless on the streets of Toronto. I spent many a winter night travelling on the TTC or in coffee shops to keep warm.
By Paul Lungen, Staff Reporter, Canadian Jewish News, November 6, 2008
The Jewish-Somali Project launched last week at a Toronto high school. Announcing the initiative were, from left, James Morton, Mark
Persaud, Bernie Farber, Howard English and Digal Haio.
TORONTO — Its proponents didn’t quite bill it as a light unto the nation, but they came pretty close.
Last week, representatives of Jewish and Somali community organizations announced a joint mentorship program that they suggested could serve as a model of ethnic co-operation for other Canadians.
Spokespeople for Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and the Canadian Somali Congress (CSC) gathered at Kipling Collegiate Institute in the city’s west end to announce the partnership. The project was initiated under the auspices of the Canadian International Peace Project (CIPP), one of whose governors, law professor Ed Morgan, is past president of CJC and an honourary patron of the CSC.
“The Jewish-Somali project presents a paradigm shift in our approach to multiculturalism wherein two very different and diverse groups are working together to assist in building stronger communities,” said Mark Persaud, president and CEO of CIPP. “For Canada to avoid the serious problems of integration of diaspora communities as currently being experienced by European and other countries, it is imperative that as Canadians we exercise bold and innovative leadership to promote greater social cohesion. The CIPP is providing such important leadership.”
By Nicholas Keung, Immigration/Diversity Reporter, Toronto Star, 2 Sep 2006
Mark Persaud has yet to set foot in Afghanistan, but photos of smiling schoolchildren in front of the Shah Mardan Mosque tell the Toronto man and his aid group that their efforts to help rebuild the war-torn country count.
The children in the photos — 78 boys and 20 girls — graduated in July from the first literacy class taught in this little village of Andkhoi in a long time.
It was made possible by the Toronto-based Canadian International Peace Project.
The non-governmental organization was founded by Persaud in 2001 to foster interfaith relationships in the aftermath of 9/11 and the retaliatory war on Afghanistan’s Taliban government.
The country is still in turmoil, with Taliban insurgents wreaking havoc on both civilians and foreign peacekeepers.
At least 19 Canadian soldiers have been killed to date.
But grassroots efforts like those of Persaud’s group have increased hope for the rebuilding of a normal life for the Afghanis.
Since its inception, the peace project has rallied support from major Christian denominations — from Anglican to Lutheran, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and the United Church — as well as other faith groups including Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Muslims and Sikhs.
“Canada is often thought of as a great multicultural society that’s tolerant and accepting, but the time has come when we have to refine our approach to multiculturalism by getting our own diverse communities to work together, instead of merely coexisting,” said Persaud, a member of the United Church of Canada.