Peace Week | Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement

Peace week blue poster with "Peace Week" written in bold

On September 21, 2014, the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement opened its doors for the first time in celebration of the International Day of Peace. Since then, the Centre has hosted Peace Week to celebrate and promote the pursuit of peace and justice in our community and around the world.

#PeaceWeek2022

After a two years of online opportunities and small gatherings, the Centre for Peace Advancement once again marked Peace Week by hosting a public community calendar of events and activities, giving opportunities to reflect on peace and justice in a world changed by the pandemic.

The theme for the 2022 United Nations International Day of Peace was 'End Racism. Build Peace'. At the Centre, we believe that building a peaceful world work includes the pursuit of equality, making the world safe for all, regardless of race. Peace is more than just laying down weapons; it is about giving space community members to flourish, all while fully embracing their identities, cultures, and backgrounds. After more than two years marked by health crises, racial discrimination, and economic and political division, there is a clear need for rest, healing, and reflection.

You may be in season of energy and renewed vigour, or you may feel weighed down by the complex issues that plauge the world today. No matter where you're at, you are welcome to come to the table and experience community.

Peace Week invites us to reflect on the difficult years behind us, and look forward to the year ahead.

What is Peace Week?

Peace Week, which revolves around the International Day of Peace on September 21st, is a time for reflection, community, learning, and celebration. From the Centre for Peace Advancement's launch to a full community calendar with diverse events for all ages, Peace Week has continued to inspire and encourage the peacebuilding community in Waterloo. The Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement has celebrated and coordinated Peace Week in Waterloo Region since its launch in 2014.

Peace Week 2022

The theme of Peace Week 2022 was 'End Racism. Build Peace'. It built towards the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th. You can read CPA student staff member Emma's Reflections on Truth and Reconciliation and see the full Peace Week 2022 calendar of events.

Peace Week 2021

The CPA marked Peace Week through a series of publications and community events that invited participants to reflect on the challenges faced over the course of the pandemic and look forward with hope and a vision for the fututre. It centered around our fall 2021 exhibit, Not Traumatic Enough for a Shock Blanket.

The theme for the United Nation's International Day of Peace 2021 was "Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world". The CPA believes that we can recover by being in community with one another. As a community, we can acknowledge the ways in which we may have developed or changed, and better support one another through transition back to in-person activities.

Peace Week 2020

The theme for the United Nation’s International Day of Peace 2020, "Shaping Peace Together,” calls us to unity, collaboration, and kindness in the face of the violence and isolation we are seeing in our world right now. This call for connection resonates with the Centre for Peace Advancement community, which is catalyzing meaningful connection around issues of justice and peace.

Beginning during Peace Week 2020, the Centre for Peace Advancement will be hosting conversations with participants, partners, and staff that highlight peacebuilding journeys at the heart of the Centre. These stories will be shared with the broader community through short, documentary-style videos throughout the Fall of 2020.

Peacebuilder's Circle Series Ep. 1

View on YouTube

Peacebuilder's Circle Series Ep. 2

View on YouTube

Peacebuilder's Circle Series Ep. 3

View on YouTube

Peace Week 2019

Students chatting in Grebel's atrium at the Centre for Peace Advancement's 5th Anniversary celebration

Peace Week 2019 hosted the largest community calendar for Waterloo Region with 14 different events spread over a week, culminating in the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement's 5th Anniversary celebration.

Peace Week 2018

Paul Heidebrecht shaking hands with Heng-Gil Han in the backlit Grebel Gallery

Peace Week 2018 was made up of 13 community events, including the Grebel Gallery Exhibit Launch for A New Era of Peace and a Peaceful Land.

Peace Week 2017

The Centre for Peace Advancement began to coordinate the community calendar for Peace Week in 2017. Opening up the calendar to broader community events increased participation with Waterloo Region residents.

Peace Week 2016

In 2016, the Centre for Peace Advancement contributed to the Grebel community calendar, and celebrated The Ripple Effect Education (TREE) launch.

Peace Week 2015

The Centre for Peace Advancement worked alongside Grebel in 2015 to implement a calendar of events with expressions of peace from different departments and partners within the college.

Peace Week 2014

Peace Week began in 2014 when Conrad Grebel University College initiated a series of community events for the week surrounding the International Day of Peace, culminating in the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement's official launch.