FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ottawa, ON: April 29, 2008 – The Board of Directors of Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Executive Director, Joe Gunn.
“We are very excited about Joe’s vision for CPJ,” said Janet Wesselius, board chair. “His extensive knowledge of Canadian justice issues will complement the in-depth research CPJ has already done, augmenting CPJ’s strong and unique public justice presence in Canadian policy debates.”
Joe is very much looking forward to joining the CPJ team, having watched CPJ’s development over the years, including the recent move to Ottawa. “I’ve long been attracted to CPJ’s articulation of public justice and work for the common good as essential elements of ‘hopeful citizenship,’” Joe said. “CPJ’s practice of these concepts gives concrete expression to what I experienced in Latin America’s expression of ‘the preferential option for the poor.’ It will be a welcome and exciting challenge to bring this positive message to life through CPJ’s work in Ottawa and across the country.”
Joe’s extensive work experience stretches over the continent. In Latin America, Joe worked in refugee camps and served as a Country Director for Canadian Save the Children. At the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops for over ten years, Joe developed policy and coordinated work in areas of social justice, missions, and Aboriginal peoples. With his latest position at the Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation for the Visitation Province – Congregation of Notre Dame, he engaged in research, public speaking and advocacy.
Joe also served as the founding vice-chair of KAIROS Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, and has been active in the Canadian Council of Churches’ Commission for Justice and Peace as well as their ecumenical health care initiative.
“Especially with CPJ now in Ottawa, Joe’s leadership will build on CPJ’s deeply respected reputation by broadening and cementing our spheres of influence,” Janet stated. “His recognized presence and deep involvement in Canadian justice initiatives will strengthen the relationships CPJ has built over the years.”
Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) is a national organization that promotes public justice in Canada by shaping key policy debates through research and analysis, publishing and public dialogue. CPJ encourages citizens, leaders in society and governments to support policies and practices that reflect God’s call for love, justice and stewardship.
For more information, contact:
Janet Wesselius
Chair, CPJ Board of Directors
(780) 679-1517
Kathy Vandergrift
Vice-Chair, CPJ Board of Directors
(613) 820-0272
