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As The Globe and Mail moves towards selecting our Nation Builder of 2008 at the end of December, we will be highlighting nominations from our readers on who they believe deserves special recognition for making a major contribution to Canadian society this year. Today, you have suggested Dr. Samantha Nutt, founder and executive director of War Child Canada.

What you wrote:

Albert einsteen from Toronto, Canada writes: I nominate Dr. Samantha Nutt, founder and executive director of War Child Canada. Sam remains undaunted by those who insist that war is an inevitable reality that can't be stopped. One of only a small number of women at the helm of a successful international humanitarian organization, Sam has helped children in some of the world's most violent flashpoints overcome the trauma and loss of conflict, while ensuring that their basic rights are protected and that their economic, psychosocial, educational and health needs are met. Moreover, she engages tirelessly with students and teachers across Canada to foster awareness and activism. Her relentless commitment to humanitarian assistance and development has inspired thousands of Canadian students to become active as agents of social change. Sam challenges Canadians to examine their own policies and practices, calling upon us to recognize that supporting solutions for human rights and peace is the responsibility of every Canadian citizen.

Barry Smith from Hamilton, Canada writes: I would like to echo an earlier nomination and support Dr. Samantha Nutt as a true nation builder. Canada's credibility is bolstered by its reputation globally as an excellent international citizen and it is people who create this credibility – Dr. Nutt is certainly one of the most profound members of that group. Since founding War Child Canada, Dr. Nutt has led by example to mobilize thousands of Canadians to help thousands more in war-torn regions of the world. However, it is the her phenomenal ability to mobilize youth – our nation builders of the future – that makes her such a worthy nominee for this award. As an educator, I have seen the impact Dr. Nutt has had on young people eager to make their world a better place. Those who would inherit our nation (and world) are attracted to Dr. Nutt's approach to social justice that calls for global awareness and action. She helps them see that though they may not have a vote, they still have a voice and Dr. Nutt's encouragement of them to use it to hold accountable our world's decision-makers empowers them to get involved in the machinations of our nation.

Emma Cosgrove from Toronto, Canada writes: Dr. Samantha Nutt unites Canada through her dedication humanitarian work. Dr. Nutt began her international career with Doctors Without Borders. She has worked over fifteen years in various war zones and saw many tragedies that war brings. What has most affected her throughout her travels is the harshness war has on children. Many children have lost their homes, friends, and family to war; and many more have been forced to take the lives of others. Dr. Nutt believes that the future is in the hands of these children, children have the capacity to make change happen and Dr. Nutt understands their remarkable potential.

Dr. Nutt has worked in war zones for the past decade 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. She is a specialist in maternal and child health in zones of armed conflict, family medicine, public health, and women's health. Dr. Nutt is also on staff at Toronto's 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.

Dr. Nutt is a recipient of The Globe and Mail's Top 40 Under 40 Award. She was named one of Canada's five leading activists by Time Magazine and an outstanding Canadian leader by CBC News Sunday.

She has received honorary doctorates from McMaster University, Brock University and Niagara University for her work promoting human rights and her role in delivering humanitarian assistance to some of the world's most vulnerable populations.