Senator Douglas Roche: A Life Dedicated to Peace

Last Thursday, December 4th, Chandra and I went to Southminster United Church in Ottawa to see Senator Douglas Roche (Retired), who is a CPJ member, speak on “The Human Right to Peace.” Doug is a journalist, politician and diplomat. He is also a former Canadian Ambassador for Disarmament and the current Chair of the Middle Powers Initiative. He recently published his memoirs, entitled “Creative Dissent: A Politician’s Struggle for Peace” in which he details his 35 years of experience as a champion for peace and human security.

Doug was introduced by the Right Honourable Joe Clarke, former Prime Minister of Canada, who gave a portrait of Doug as someone who has tirelessly advocated for the cause of peace and disarmament throughout his long career. He described Doug’s work in the public sphere as being defined by the many tensions in his life: between his personal conscience and the duties required of him as a politician and diplomat; between his private family responsibilities and the demands of his public life; between the religious convictions he was raised with and his ability to live them out through his actions.

Doug gave a powerful presentation on the global crises that currently face humankind: environmental degradation, widespread poverty, climate change, and government military spending that far exceeds that which is spent on peace and social development.

His talk focused on “The Human Right to Peace,” which is also the title of one of his previous books. He emphasized that peace is essential if global social justice and sustainable development are to ever be fully realized. He explained that his political work over the past few decades has focused specifically on nuclear disarmament because the destructive capacity these weapons pose are a far greater threat to humankind than all conventional weapons combined.

But Doug spoke not only of the great challenges that face us, but also of the hope and possibility that exist for change. He described the awakening of a “global conscience” throughout the world as communication technology has increased awareness about threats to humanity such as nuclear weapons. Doug ended his presentation by emphasizing that peace begins within each one of us and that we have a common responsibility to work towards human rights and global security.

I forgot to mention that Doug is also my great-uncle. Growing up, I was aware of the work that he was engaged in and I had heard him speak on many occasions. But that didn’t stop me from being inspired again by his words on Thursday. As he writes in Creative Dissent, “I am determined to use every day that God continues to give me good health to work for at least a better measure of stability, security and social justice in the world. I think I owe this to my grandchildren.”

His tireless effort on behalf of future generations, including my own, is an inspiration for us all.