Thinking and Working Politically (PACS 620)

Engaging governmental policies and programs in order to bring about systemic change requires a particular kind of knowledge, skill, and sensibility. This course cultivates that capacity by exploring the history, theory, and practice of peace-related advocacy in Canadian and multilateral contexts.

Taught by Paul Heidebrecht, Director of the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement located at Conrad Grebel University College, classes will include a range of guest speakers from within and beyond the Centre for Peace Advancement who can offer particular kinds of political engagement expertise. Readings will include selections from an extensive bibliography of primary texts, as well as The Hill Times, a twice-weekly newspaper that covers Parliament, the federal government, and federal politics.

Heidebrecht previously spent five years as the Ottawa Office Director of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Canada, where he guided MCC’s efforts to shape government policies on behalf of domestic and international program partners in relief, development, and peacebuilding. He regularly provides mentorship and training on how to think and work politically for peacebuilding and other social innovation start-ups in Waterloo region.

This special topics course in Peace and Conflict Studies is designed to appeal to peace activists, policy wonks, and/or social entrepreneurs, and provides an important compliment to other PACS course offerings related to the pursuit of peace through civil society and business.