Dean is a mathematics educator with a passion for advancing the understanding and appreciation of mathematics through teaching excellence, coaching and mentoring. A leader of mathematics dedicated to the improvement of education through roles of influence at the school board, university and provincial levels.

• Lecturer at the University of Waterloo for the Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
• A secondary school mathematics educator for 30.
• Executive Secretary of the Grand Valley Mathematics Association after being Chair for many years.
• A recipient of the Prime Minister's Award for teaching in Mathematics, Science and Technology.
• Life Membership to the Society of Descartes Medallists for Signal Service to Mathematics in the Province of Ontario.
• Teacher Recognition Award from the Descartes Foundation for outstanding teaching.
• Astronaut Colonel Chris A. Hadfield named Dean as an influential teacher in his life.
• Co-author of a Grade 12 Calculus textbook used widely in Ontario and a Mathematics Resource Manual for High School Students and Undergraduate Studies.
• Author of numerous resources for teachers and students including Wired Math www.wiredmath.ca.
• For over a quarter of a century he has created and reviewed problems for the Canadian Mathematics Competitions.
• Also validates several of the contests and is a chief marker for some contests.
• A leader who coordinates Teacher Development Courses and the mathematics teaching option at the University of Waterloo.

Dave Bidini’s first book, published in 1998, was the popular and critically acclaimed On a Cold Road, about what it’s like to tour Canada in a rock ‘n’ roll band. He has since written several more books, including Tropic of Hockey (2001) and Baseballissimo (2004). Bidini was the rhythm guitarist for the much-loved Canadian band the Rheostatics. He also starred in the Gemini Award-winning film The Hockey Nomad. For Those About to Rock was his first book for young adults. Dave’s most recent books include Around the World in 57 ½ Gigs, a travelogue of Dave’s solo tour around the world, published by McClelland and Stewart, and For Those About to Write, a guide to writing for young adults, published by Tundra Books. Dave Bidini lives in Toronto with his wife and two children.

Samantha Nutt is a medical doctor with more than 10 years of experience working in war zones. She has helped children in some of the world's most violent flashpoints, working with War Child Canada, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Iraq, Afghanistan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Iraq, Burundi, northern Uganda and the Thai-Burmese border.

A specialist in Maternal and Child Health in zones of armed conflict, Family Medicine, Public Health, Refugee Health and Women's Health, Sam is also on staff at Sunnybrook and Women's Health Science Centre and is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. Sam holds undergraduate degrees in Arts and Science, and in Medicine, from McMaster University and postgraduate degrees in Medicine and in Public Health from the University of Toronto as well as the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (London University).

Chosen by Maclean's Magazine for their annual Honour Roll as one of "12 Canadians making a difference", she is a role model to young Canadians and has received numerous humanitarian awards for her work in support of war-affected children.

Ms. Ruano is the director of the PASSOS Education and Training Centre in El Salvador. The centre provides training, guidance and research for social action, with specialization in professional training for those who accompany and provide care for people living with drug addictions and the socially disadvantaged. Currently PASSOS has centres in 12 marginal communities of San Salvador that train community outreach workers to offer a viable alternative to the rising problem of urban violence among youth in El Salvador.

Violence in El Salvador – A Social Problem

Social violence is directly related to high levels of poverty and inadequate social programs. Over half of the five million inhabitants of El Salvador live in poverty, with persistent problems of malnutrition, lack of health and education services, escalating unemployment, insecurity and violence. El Salvador is classified as the most violent country in Latin America with an average of 10 murders per day. It is estimated that some 30,000 youth belong to gangs which control entire neighbourhoods and are directly involved in drug trafficking cartels. Violence against women is particularly problematic with high rates of domestic violence and an increasing incidence of “femicide” or killing of women based solely on their gender. The ineffectiveness of police and judicial services exacerbates the problem as does widespread impunity and corruption of government and state institutions.

Soyapango, one of PASSOS target areas, is located within the metropolitan area of the capital San Salvador. It has a total population of over one-half million and is the most densely populated municipality of the country with an average of 9,500 inhabitants per square kilometre. This is considered a high risk zone for violence with a combination of extremely concentrated population, high levels of poverty, overcrowding and inadequate housing, and hugely deficient public services of water, electricity, education and health.

Youth of Soyapango, and other cities throughout El Salvador, are increasingly at risk to become involved in violent and gang-related activity. They live in situations of extreme poverty and social exclusion. Factors that make youth more vulnerable and likely to become involved in violence include drug and alcohol dependency, sexual exploitation, abandonment and abuse, homelessness, dysfunctional families and absence of opportunities for positive socialization. For these youth, involvement in gangs often constitutes their only means of socialization.

Community organizations and government entities are trying to address the problem of social exclusion and violence; however they often lack trained personnel who can offer a constructive and integrated approach to violence prevention among youth. PASSOS’ work specifically addresses this gap with the establishment of a School for Youth Violence Prevention that train community outreach workers and increase awareness of viable solutions among local leaders.