By Auz Momin
Since the inception of the Centre for Peace Advancement in 2014, student engagement has been a critical part of the Centre’s mission to advance collaborative and innovative understandings and practices of peace. The Kindred Peace Innovators Scholarship and Mentoring Program, in collaboration with Kindred Credit Union and The Ripple Effect Education (TREE), a Core Collaborator, gives high school students across Ontario the opportunity to bring their peacebuilding ideas into reality and provide a starting point for making positive change in their communities.
The Peace Innovator program equips young leaders with skills to tackle problems they are passionate about in their communities, while receiving feedback from in-school and TREE mentors. Students also receive fresh perspectives from other participants during the retreats. "Honestly, I loved everything about the Peace Innovator program. From the people to the events, guidance, and the pure vibes! Every time we would come back to the retreat, I’d feel a sense of peace and belonging.” explained Atiyeh, a former participant and a current University of Waterloo student.
According to Laurel Boytim, Executive Director of TREE, students learn about innovation and entrepreneurship during the year-long program in the context of peace building, social justice, conflict resolution, the importance of relationships, community, and interconnection, balancing creativity and focus, and a growth mindset. “By going through this program, you will learn exactly what you need to excel while leading your own community initiative, including how to plan out your project's finances, how to define and best address the problem that you've observed, and how to take on a leadership role.” explained Ross, a previous participant.
The Peace Innovator program benefits students in many ways, including learning strategies and skills around innovation and then implementing and applying those strategies and skills in a hands-on project. They learn how to network, build relationships with community members, and step outside of their comfort zone. Peace Innovators also benefit from learning how to stay organized, meet deadlines, and balance multiple commitments. Participants learn to accept feedback, respond to mentorship, and adapt and adjust their project and ideas with flexibility.
Financial support is built into the program, as participants are eligible to receive a small grant to support their project and a $250 personal scholarship.
At the end of the Peace Innovators program, students will take their idea of how to tackle their chosen issue and will present at a final showcase at Conrad Grebel University College. Laurel explained this as “a once in a lifetime opportunity for high school students to learn, and practice, valuable skills that will benefit them both as individuals, as well as their community.” She notes that “It is a joy to mentor and teach passionate youth and watch them grow in ability and confidence. They give us hope for the future.”
The application period for the 2024/2025 cohort is now open. The Peace Innovators program is looking for youth who have a heart for justice, have desire for positive change, and choose to commit to work toward innovative solutions. “I applied because I’ve always been passionate about racial representation, but I never really knew what to do next. This opportunity looked like a great way to tackle the issue in a structured way, while still giving me so much room for freedom, creativity, and self-expression.” expressed Sara, a previous participant. Visit the website for the submission requirements.