Joyce, a peace activist herself for years, has studied works by economists and their analysis of the sort of impact the lack of war and violence could have on the economy. "I've come to realize that the economy is a very artificial construct," says Joyce, who adds she has been particularly influenced by economic consultant and author Marilyn Waring.

"The fact that our economy is based on things that makes that make money is just an artificial construct. Credits could just as easily be given for issues that give peace, that help the environment."

Joyce, who is also a retired Peterborough physician, will be discussing these views at an upcoming workshop through Class Connections, called "World Issues: Speaking Our Peace."

"I think that thinking about these issues matters," she says, reiterating that peace activism is not a work for wide-eyed dreamers.

She points to the work that is done through Project Ploughshares, a national
ecumenical agency that lobbies for policies at all levels of government
which promote peaceful solutions.

"The work that Ploughshares does is a very practical, useful, cost-effective thing to be doing," she says.

Joyce is a member of Canadian Physicians Against Nuclear arms and current co-chair of Kawartha Ploughshares, which is a branch of Project Ploughshares. Besides facilitating discussion groups on peace issues, she takes the time every day to write at least one letter, usually to politicians, on peace issues.

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