Peter Smyth
Program Director, Organization for the Prevention of Violence (OPV)
2024
Peter has been a social worker with the Organization for the Prevention of Violence/Evolve Program since February 2021, and was a consultant for OPV starting in 2016. Previously, Peter was the overseer of the High Risk Youth Initiative with Children’s Services, Edmonton Region. He developed a practice framework and philosophy incorporating non-traditional intervention methods to better meet the needs of complex, troubled and street-involved youth population. Peter has written a book, book chapters and articles about issues confronting youth. He provides consultation, training and workshops on engaging and working with youth. Peter is a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work, and at the MacEwan University Social Work Program. The second edition of his book High Risk Youth: A Relationship-Based Practice Framework, was released in early 2024.
The Summit was more than empty words – it made clear that a solution-driven approach is the only way to fight hate. That’s why the working group activities, which are results driven are going to be critical in defeating violent extremism. The Summit brought together the best minds in government, private sector, academia, and civil society. Being surrounded by these experts sparked new ideas – some of which I’ve already implemented or have written about.
