As the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement leaves the Spring term behind and branches into the Fall term, we reflect on the valuable contributions of our 2024 Spring interns. Each participant has made significant strides in their professional development and left a lasting impact on their respective organizations. Here is a closer look at some of the standout moments and insights this year's interns shared.
Zelal Tutak and Nuhu's Abdulmalik internships at The Ripple Effect Education gave them unique experiences, such as participating in the Peace Innovators retreat and speaking to marginalized communities, particularly the Black students in the Waterloo Catholic School Board campuses. Zelal worked on facilitating conflict resolution workshops for Grade 4 to 6 students in schools throughout the Waterloo region. “This hands-on experience was valuable in developing my skills and understanding the importance of conflict resolution at a young age” she shared. Nuhu noted, “The development and distribution of fundraising toolkits, coupled with extensive exploration of third-party fundraising strategies, shed light on the financial realities of non-profit peacebuilding organizations.”
Pinar Gurgen had a rewarding experience at the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement, where she made meaningful connections and developed her time management and organization skills. Her role as a Program Assistant provided her with a supportive environment, making her eager to return as a CPA intern in a future term.
During Esme Mulloy’s multimedia internship with Project Ploughshares, she focused on creating videos to highlight the Ploughshares team's inspiring work. Esme noted that this opportunity developed her practical filming and writing skills. Ashoke Mohanraj and Mehnaz Morshed Disha expanded their knowledge on climate and security in the Arctic, and Jennifer gained valuable experiences and skills as a Peace Researcher and completed three writing pieces for publication. Up next for Jennifer is an Environmental Leadership Internship in Ottawa, progressing her policy advocacy career.
Sophia Rosli had a great time during her International Work-Study Program at Centre for Community Based Research. She said, "everyone was so welcoming, and I truly appreciated being part of this experience."
Many other interns also spoke about the supportive environment created by the Centre for Peace Advancement and its participant organizations. Nuhu noted the “genuine concern for my well-being, was a refreshing departure from the usual work culture”. Esme shared, "Everyone I worked with during my time was incredibly kind, supportive, and willing to help me learn... The wider community at the CPA was also so welcoming I would recommend anyone to work with any of these great organizations!"
As we transition from Spring to Fall, we look forward to welcoming new student talent to our community. Here’s to a new term filled with opportunities and growth!