News

As the PeaceTech Living Learning Community (LLC) prepares to move online for Spring term, Grebel students are convinced that the need to integrate technology and peacebuilding is more pressing than ever. The PeaceTech LLC, a joint initiative of the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement and the Conrad Grebel University College residence program, allows students from diverse academic backgrounds to consider the impact of technology and how it can be used to advance peace.

Twenty-eight hard-working teams harnessed the power of systems thinking to map out important problems for the University of Waterloo’s second annual Map the System competition. Congratulations to Emma McDougall, Kaitlin Webber, and Sam Petrie, who won first place for their research into the socioeconomic transformation of neighbourhoods along the new light rail corridor in Waterloo Region.

The fourth floor of Conrad Grebel University College may be closed, but the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement continues to provide opportunities for changemakers to advance peace. This past month has proved, more than ever, that the Centre is more than just a space—it is an adaptable hub of innovative thinkers who are now finding creative ways to continue their work amidst a crisis.

War terminology is commonplace in the way the media and governments describe perceived threats: war on poverty, war on drugs, war on terror, and now, war on COVID-19. Aspenia Online, The Guardian, the University of Nottingham, and Higher Education Strategy Associates have all published blog posts or articles that explore the appropriateness of using this comparison, but have neglected to provide alternative language.

In what can be a disorienting and frightening time, it is encouraging to see glimmers of hope and positive action. Indeed, along with all the cancelations and changes in plans, the world needs creative and constructive responses. With the Canadian-coined term “caremongering” emerging, unprecedented levels of open data sharing, and the development of hackathons to design COVID-19-fighting technologies, there is lots going on. Indeed, the Centre for Peace Advancement has come across over thirty examples of innovative efforts to improve public health and contribute to the common good.

The Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement is embedded in Waterloo Region’s dynamic social innovation ecosystem, and participants in our Epp Peace Incubator program have the opportunity to leverage resources and support from this supportive community. One case in point occurred on February 27, when Nastaran Saberi found herself on a stage at Catalyst 137 in Kitchener pitching for a $50,000 investment at the Velocity Fund Pitch Competition.

Positive messages on bridges to assist in suicide prevention. A conference to develop affirming churches. Youth workshops to improve mental health literacy. These are the kinds of lasting impacts that come about through the Peace Innovators Scholarship and Mentoring Program.

 The Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement aims to be a dynamic space where peace-oriented innovators and established organizations can come together to make change. In January, 2020, the Centre named five new Research Fellows who are making important contributions to peace research and peacebuilding efforts locally and globally. 

The Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement’s commitment to thinking differently about social change is the impetus for leading the University of Waterloo’s second foray into the Map the System competition. Student and faculty engagement is up significantly this year as we build on the success of last year’s endeavor.

The Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement catalyzes collaboration to move the needle on important peacebuilding issues such as space security, technology, education, and inclusion. Tina Chan, the Centre’s newest Epp Peace Incubator program participant, is adding mental health to the conversation.