Along with research and community engagement, training has been one of the core activities of the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement since its inception. This page provides a window into the wide range of learning opportunities for students, professionals, leaders, and engaged citizens offered by organizations affiliated with our Centre, including formal certificate programs and one-off workshops delivered online or in-person.
Certificate Program in Community-Based Research
The Centre for Community-Based Research (CCBR) offers a range of practical skill-building mini courses to build the capacity of organizations, students, faculty and community members to use community research to make change. Courses are delivered synchronously online.
Conflict Management Certificate Program
The Conflict Management Certificate Program is a versatile and well-rounded professional development program which delivers skills-based training workshops led by accomplished practitioners and academics invested in learner success. The workshops incorporate a transformative approach to conflict that places people and relationships at the center. Workshops are delivered in person and synchronously online.
Tamarack Institute offers workshops, webinars, and courses to help community members, organizations, and institutions create community change. Learners can explore areas such as Collective Leadership, Community Engagement, and Asset-Based Community Development.
The Ripple Effect Education (TREE) offers custom workplace and community workshops, training for teachers and non-profit educators, and workshops for K-12 classrooms around Conflict Resolution, Social Justice, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, Celebration of Diversity, and Peace Building.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) actively promotes the pursuit of peace through teaching conflict transformation skills and peacebuilding strategies, facilitating relationship-building across divides, and providing communities with educational and advocacy resources about peace.
Instructors Spotlight
Kamil Ahmed is a first-generation immigrant and settler from Pakistan living in Kitchener who identifies with various identities including Queer and Muslim. Passionate about non-carceral and non-punitive approaches to conflict, crime, and harm, Kamil is a Restorative Justice practitioner and works specifically in responding to and preventing hate crime and identity-based harm. He is a conflict mediator, experienced de-escalator and is generally fascinated by human conflict and its interventions outside the Criminal Legal System. He is also a grassroots organizer practicing mutual aid in Kitchener-Waterloo through Community Fridges and growing food in public spaces. Kamil organizes Waterloo Region's biggest and oldest Pride, supports Palestinian solidarity work, and creates clothes out of discarded textiles.
Margaret Van Herk-Paradis is the co-founder and president of Credence and Company. Marg specializes in supporting organizations to address conflict, transform organizational culture and clarify organizational mission, vision and values using training, facilitation, coaching and mediation for groups and individuals. Marg's work with clients is informed by respect, the appreciation of difference, and the value of every individual. Listening beyond words to the whole person is a cornerstone of Marg's practice: she believes that listening well and helping people know that they are valued can be transforming. Marg is a graduate of the Conflict Management Certificate Program offered at Grebel. Previously Marg spent many years as the Executive Director of a L'Arche Community, an organization she has been a member of for 25 years.
Shannon Storey is the President & COO of Global Advantage Consulting Group and has been a driving force within the organization since May 2017. Over the past eight years, she has played a vital role in growing the company’s team, expanding its portfolio, and strengthening its reputation as a leader in strategic research and analysis. In her role, Shannon leads successful project delivery and drives the company’s strategic direction. She brings a systems-thinking approach to her work, ensuring that every project delivers high-impact, evidence-based insights for clients across government, industry, and non-profit sectors. Before joining Global Advantage, Shannon gained valuable experience in the financial and software sectors. She is a graduate of Algonquin College, where she studied technology and design.
