Turbulent times like ours call for people who understand systems of violence and conflict, and who are prepared to build peace with justice. This involves identifying and transforming systems of violence, marginalization, and oppression, including racist, gendered and colonial violence at home as well as around the world. Whether working locally or globally, Peace and Conflict Studies is committed to imagining, educating, and ongoing learning that equips our graduates to pursue justice and peace.
PACS as a department is located on territory that is governed by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum and land promised to the Six Nations Confederacy in 1784 as part of the Haldimand Declaration. For more information, see Conrad Grebel University College's land acknowledgement and read about decolonization at the University of Waterloo's Office of Indigenous Relations.
Why Study Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS)?
Learn diverse ways to promote peace, equitable justice, and social change through a vibrant interdisciplinary program that combines the study of history, political science, sociology, and psychology to understand better the causes and impact of interpersonal, communal, and international conflicts and violence in different societies. You will explore theory, research, and practice in classes taught by leading peace and justice scholars and practitioners. As an arts student, you will bring a unique perspective and set of skills to peace and conflict studies. Your creativity, critical thinking, and empathy can help contribute to finding new and innovative solutions to the complex challenges of peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
Take courses on conflict mediation, non-violent social change, gender and peacebuilding, religion and culture, environment, community transformation, human rights and social justice, refugees and forced migration, negotiation strategies, trauma, healing, and restorative justice.
Prepare to become a peace practitioner, community leader, or entrepreneur in conflict management programs or work with community and international development organizations, education systems, law firms, social services, refugee resettlement program support agencies, and more after graduation.
Who are PACS graduates?
PACS graduates have gone into many careers and used their training in different ways.
To learn more about what students can do after they graduate from PACS, check out our alumni profiles
News
Adey Gebrehiwot: Supporting Local and Global Change
Adey Gebrehiwot is a final year Arts and Business student majoring in Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS), whose passion for social and environmental justice is palpable. Although Adey always envisioned attending law school, she realized her career interests involved promoting community well-being and systemic change. A few weeks after enrolling in PACS 201: Roots of Conflict, Violence, and Peace, Adey was intrigued and found herself declaring a PACS major and Legal Studies minor.
Chiara McLean on Everyday Applications of Peace and Conflict Studies
Chiara McLean, a 4th year Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) student at Conrad Grebel University College based at the University of Waterloo, is passionate about global affairs. As Chiara began studying at Waterloo, she knew her educational path involved a Political Science major and Communication Studies minor. In her first year, Chiara heard a friend mention they were enrolled in PACS 101: Peace is Everybody's Business and that it was an interesting course. Curious to know more about PACS, she enrolled in PACS 201: Roots of Conflict, Violence and Peace and PACS 203: A History of Peace Movements in her second year of undergraduate studies. In her third year, she decided the program would complement her academic plans. With an interest in international relations and affairs, Chiara sought opportunities through co-op and volunteering that were challenging yet rewarding.
Peacebuilding from Theory to Practice
Peace is not just a theory for Maria Lucia Zapata Cancelado (DPCS 2001); it is a daily mission. As a Colombian lawyer and peace scholar, Maria is the Director of the Institute for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution at Javeriana University in Bogotá. Her work at the Jesuit school focuses on restorative justice and post-conflict peacebuilding. Maria earned her PACS diploma from Conrad Grebel University College in 2000, where she developed an interdisciplinary approach that reshaped her perspectives on law and peacebuilding.