Purpose and Role of the Cambridge Peace Commission

The Cambridge Peace Commission promotes peace and social justice within Cambridge – at the personal, neighborhood, and citywide levels – and in the wider world. It challenges local forms of discrimination that foster violence and promotes ideas and programs that affirm diversity and build community within our city. It links peace groups, social justice efforts, anti-violence coalitions, communities, and the municipal government.

The Commission pays special attention to violence affecting young people through creative programs such as restorative justice. It works with schools and communities to ensure that difference is understood and celebrated, that sources of violence are recognized and confronted, and that everyone can be part of an effort for equity.

The Commission celebrates local people and efforts with programs and events, and raises awareness through forums, educational sessions, and presentations. It supports Cambridge’s sister city relationships, including those with San José Las Flores, El Salvador and Yerevan, Armenia.

Brief Background and History

Officially the "Cambridge Commission on Nuclear Disarmament and Peace Education," the commission was established by the Cambridge City Council in 1982 to address the concerns of war and peace in the age of nuclear weapons.

The Peace Commission promotes peace education by addressing issues of war and peace, promoting intercultural understanding and cooperation, supporting nonviolent conflict resolution and equality, and challenging local forms of discrimination that foster violence. The Commission also promotes ideas and programs that affirm the diversity of Cambridge and build community within the city.

For the full text of the ordinance establishing the commission, see Chapter 2.90 of Cambridge Municipal Code, available online at: http://library.municode.com/HTML/16889/level2/T2_C2.90.html

Membership of the Cambridge Peace Commission

As established by Chapter 2.90 of Cambridge Municipal Code, the Cambridge Peace Commission consists of up to twenty members, appointed for a term of three years:
• Commissioners must be residents of the City at the time of appointment.
• The Commission shall be representative of the socio-economic, racial, and ethnic populations of the City.
• Members of the Commission are appointed by the City Manager from recommendations provided by the Commission.

Contact Information: Cambridge Peace Commission 51 Inman Street, 2nd Floor Cambridge, Mass. 02139 617.349.4694 voice 617.349.4766 fax Monday: 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.          Friday: 8:30 a.m. - Noon

Department Head: Brian Corr, Executive Director bcorr@cambridgema.gov 617.349.4694 voice