Each month, we share the stories of World BEYOND War volunteers around the world. Want to volunteer with World BEYOND War? Email greta@worldbeyondwar.org.

Current Location:

Toronto, Canada

How did you get involved with anti-war activism and World BEYOND War (WBW)?

I first became involved with anti-war activism in late 2023. For years prior I had witnessed a steady progression towards a militarized police and suppression of public expression. The confluence of the evolution of Israel’s apartheid into a full genocide, and my own, more developed views of U.S. imperialism, compelled me into action. I could no longer just stand on the sidelines, shaking my head.

In 2024 I went back to school and obtained my Social Service Worker designation through my Community Worker program. One of my assignments entailed presenting on a global NGO – and this was the first time I even heard of World BEYOND War. I had the pleasure of interviewing WBW Canada Organizer Rachel Small, who elegantly explained the organization’s global, abolitionist mandate, push for education, and necessity of direct action. In fact, this was not my first time meeting Rachel; a year prior, I saw her in action at a protest outside a Toronto-based robotics manufacturer that was shipping components to the Israeli military. Seeing her speak with such passion and conviction and confidence was something that resonated with me. I didn’t know of her involvement at WBW at the time, yet I could tell that being on the ground, effecting real disruption, was something I wanted to be part of.

What kinds of WBW activities do you work on?

I’m currently working on a number of tasks and assignments at WBW. My first assignment was writing an article on Canadian military bases, with an emphasis on the existence of 4 foreign military bases, which go largely unnoticed and unmentioned. It was an excellent learning opportunity as I had never heard of these so-called Operational Support Hubs (OSHs), a euphemism for military supply stations that actively facilitate Canadian and U.S. imperial interests in Germany, Kuwait, Jamaica, and Senegal.

My current project involves researching an international robotics manufacturer that has Canadian operations. It is confirmed that their robots are actively used in Israeli weapons factories – as well as domestic factories in Canada. They go beyond civilian usage as they are implemented into weapons systems through Canadian subsidiaries of U.S.-based weapons companies.

I am also part of a working group involved in drawing attention to, and directly challenging, the new Defence, Security, and Resilience Bank (DSRB), colloquially referred to as a war bank. Canada just recently won the bid to host the new Bank, which is a convoluted scheme amongst 40 NATO countries and allies to funnel public money into private arms manufacturers – at the expense of everyday people – through severe austerity. I wrote an article on an action we coordinated outside the Annual General Meeting of the Ontario (Canada) Teachers Pension Plan (one of the largest pension plans in the world), and helped organize a press conference where guest speakers proclaimed their opposition to the newly-announced war bank.

I am part of the initial talks with a local Palestinian NGO that seeks to equip people with the tools necessary to actively divest from companies complicit in furthering war crimes throughout the world. I am partnered with Greta Zarro, WBW’s Organizing Director, who has a keen interest in Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS). This will surely be another excellent learning opportunity.

I also do administrative tasks, such as supporting our Events Calendar page.

What’s your top recommendation for someone who wants to get involved with anti-war activism and WBW?

Surprisingly, the barrier-to-entry for activism is quite low. There are so many local organizing groups for all manner of social justice-related causes. Find something that you are passionate about. Identify an injustice that speaks to you. There are many more people like you who will support you and who you will find solidarity with.

From there (or you can just skip to the end!), engage with the multitude of resources available on the WBW website. There are 52 chapters in 39 countries and 123 global affiliates. Even if there isn’t one near you, there are so many online learning opportunities that WBW affords. Education is a crucial tool to unlock the knowledge and skills that can make you an effective organizer.

The events page is global in nature, allowing you to plug into a myriad of events like panels, conferences, speeches, protests, webinars, and more.

Start small. Set an attainable goal. The rest will follow, and the energy will build.

What keeps you inspired to advocate for change?

Before I began organizing with World BEYOND War, I struggled with the notion that so much of what we strive for are “nice-to-haves,” that we can dream – and act upon those dreams – but face an insurmountable or impossible goal. Immersed in the world of anti-war activism, I became more aware of the intersectionality and centrality of war and militarism in all aspects of society. It was no longer a dream for me but a necessity. It’s not that we could or should or might do better; we HAVE to make meaningful, significant changes to the default ideology of militarism. We must educate the next generation of leaders. We must compel our governments to take climate catastrophe seriously. We must, we must, we must. I realized I wasn’t an idealist. I’m a realist.

There is no such thing as a contribution too small. The people, united, will never be defeated.

Posted May 7, 2026.

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