The season of fall brought with it many chances for members at the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement to continue learning and growing together in the pursuit of peace. October welcomed a host of conversations, and learning opportunities, allowing those involved with the Centre to form meaningful connections, gain valuable insights, and engage in thoughtful dialogue.
For example, weekly coffee breaks are a source of joy and camaraderie for staff from organizations affiliated with the Centre, the Centre’s staff team, as well as faculty, researchers, and other individuals working in the Centre.
This group comes together every Tuesday and Thursday morning in the “Buzz Space” – a cozy area furnished with comfortable couches and chairs – to share ideas and stories about their latest initiatives, news relevant to peacebuilding efforts, and more. A cup of coffee (or other warm beverages!) set the stage for such dialogue. This month, Professors Nathan Funk and Eric Lepp shared about significant research projects they are involved in.
Centre participants also had opportunities over the past month to engage with peacebuilders from beyond our community. On October 23, we hosted a Brown Bag Lunch to hear from the leaders of PeaceBuilders Community Inc. and Coffee for Peace, both of which focus on building inclusive and prosperous communities in the Philippines.
Coffee for Peace is a social enterprise that seeks to bridge the gap between coffee farmers and consumers, while also sparking connection and dialogue through ethically sourced coffee. To founder Joji Pantoja, peace means “eating three times a day, educating our children, [and] celebrating their birthdays.”
PeaceBuilders Community Inc. has dedicated itself to nurturing a wide range of peacebuilding initiatives, incorporating community development, restorative justice, disaster response, discourse and effective strategies that work to achieve conflict resolution. Vice President Ka Boyet Ongkiko shared about their exciting plans to build the Malipayon Peace Hub to provide a new home for these efforts under one roof.
Finally, on Friday, October 27, the Centre hosted a roundtable that explored wisdom-centered approaches to social innovation, bringing together a diverse group of faculty and staff from across the University of Waterloo campus. Facilitated by the Centre’s Director, Paul Heidebrecht, and Maryam Mohiuddin Ahmed, a doctoral student in the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development, participants reflected on their conceptions of social innovation, and reflected on the role of faith as a potential catalyst for social change.
October was a month filled with opportunities to learn, share, and collaborate over coffee and food. As the leaves fell, all were reminded that in the pursuit of peace, every season offers new chances to come together and make a difference.