Peace Week 2023 officially kicked off on September 21, the International Day of Peace, marking a dynamic and meaningful weeklong celebration dedicated to fostering social justice, peace, and community building both on and off the University of Waterloo campus. From meaningful discussions to thought provoking art exhibitions, Peace Week unites individuals and organizations in collective efforts to promote positive change.
Since 2014, the Kindred Centre for Peace Advancement has used the occasion of the International Day of Peace to catalyze conversations and activities focused on peace in our community, and we were pleased to see eighteen unique events on this year’s Peace Week Community Calendar. Here are a few glimpses into some of the events that we were able to attend.
Centre for Peace Advancement Coordinator, Fatoumatta, and Program Assistant, Sophia, engaged interested students, staff, and faculty at the University of Waterloo’s Urgency of Social Justice event on September 20.
On September 21, Cesar Jaramillo, Executive Director of Project Ploughshares, talked about the current state of nuclear weapons and non-proliferation 60 years after the Cuban Missile Crisis in the midst of our new Grebel Gallery exhibition entitled “Trinity, Then and Now.”
Later that day, Paul Heidebrecht, Director of the Centre for Peace Advancement, facilitated a panel at the City of Kitchener’s SDG Idea Factory focused on SDG 16, the UN Sustainable Development Goal that addresses peace, justice, and strong institutions.
Peace Week events will culminate this year with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, and we are looking forward to participating in events organized by the the University of Waterloo on September 29.
By: Sophia Pettit