Chris Houston

Humanitarian Chris Houston has delivered vital emergency aid around the world through his work with Doctors Without Borders, the Canadian Red Cross and the United Nations.

The proud Glasgow Caledonian University graduate said it was his experience responding to international emergencies that inspired him to create the Canadian Peace Museum - a new charitable organisation that aims to advocate for peace.

"A common theme in my work has been witnessing the impact of armed conflict,” Chris said.

“I appreciate the relative peacefulness of Canada, but I do not take it for granted. We are opening the Canadian Peace Museum to promote peace and to showcase the links between peace, conflict, equity, cohesive communities, art, activism and climate change.

“The rise of polarisation, misinformation, disinformation, and hatred risks violence and the urgency to provoke important conversations about our individual and collective responsibilities to be peaceful and promote peace is high.”

Before spending more than a decade in humanitarian work and becoming the CEO and Founder of the Canadian Peace Museum, Chris completed a bachelor of Risk Management degree at Glasgow Caledonian.

After graduating in 1998, he worked in risk management in insurance and consulting for several years.

Seeing the devastating impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami prompted Chris to undergo a career switch and begin volunteering with humanitarian organisations.

In the following years, Chris travelled the world, providing vital support to people following major humanitarian crises across the globe from Papua New Guinea and northern Nigeria to Pakistan and Yemen.

Reflecting on his aid career, Chris said one of his biggest achievements was during the 2017 conflict and cholera outbreak in Yemen, where he helped keep international medical supply systems operational.

“We worked hard to keep the cholera supplies flowing,” Chris said.

“I had the privilege to work alongside some of the most dedicated humanitarian workers I have ever met, working in the worst circumstances I have ever seen.”

Looking to the future, Chris is now focused on securing further donations and sponsors to help ensure the Canadian Peace Museum can open as planned by 2025, while continuing to encourage people around the world to actively advocate for peace.