For the past five years, the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement has aspired to attract peace innovators. We aimed to become a state-of-the-art academic hub that incubates and advances collaborative, inter-disciplinary, multi-sector peacemaking. In my view, we have achieved this vision.
We can confidently say that the Centre for Peace Advancement has become an integral program of Conrad Grebel University College, complementing stellar academic and residence programs that seek wisdom, nurture faith, and pursue justice and peace in service to church and society.
Moreover, the Centre is now firmly embedded within—and has found ways to make a distinctive contribution to—the University of Waterloo and one of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems. And, as our inspiration partner, Kindred Credit Union has brought life to its purpose of inspiring peaceful, just, and prosperous communities through our local and global impacts.
There are many amazing stories on our website about the individuals and organizations who have been a part of this journey—stories ripped from local, national, and international headlines, stories of breakthroughs and positive impacts on communities near and far, and stories of both personal and institutional learning and growth.
We hope the following glimpse into our fifth anniversary celebration conveys the spirit and underlying values that the Centre embodies. Join us as we continue to pursue new opportunities to advance peace. The past five years have been remarkable, but we are just getting started!
In the lead-up to the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement's 5th anniversary celebration on the International Day of Peace, Director Paul Heidebrecht narrated the Centre's history at a dinner celebrating generosity and peace innovation on September 19. Grebel student Maya Morton Ninomiya produced this graphic record as Paul spoke.
This booklet is a snapshot of the last five years at the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement. To receive a copy, stop by the Centre for Peace Advancement or email Fred Martin, Director of Advancement at fwmartin@uwaterloo.ca.
Helen Epp met the newest member of the Epp Peace Incubator, Nastaran Saberi of AccessMate, during the open house on September 21.
Alumna and artist Meg Harder (BA 2013) (left), creator of the New Fraktur exhibit, answered questions and provided insights about her artwork.
Current Grebel students shared their memories of the Centre for Peace Advancement on the memory board.
Incubator Fellow Becca Cheskes welcomes fellow students in Grebel's MPACS program.
During the celebratory program, Michelle Jackett, Coordinator at the Centre for Peace Advancement, spoke about her early memories of the Centre and its five-year journey thus far. Ben Janzen (WLU 2000), Values Integration Director at Kindred Credit Union, reinforced Kindred’s excitement for the future of this inspirational partnership. Jessie Reesor-Rempel (BA 2011), co-founder of Pastors in Exile (PiE), spoke about her experiences as an Epp Peace Incubator participant, and now as a Mentor to current incubator participants.
Over the past 5 years, 93 students have worked for the Centre for Peace Advancement, its affiliate organizations, and its incubator start-ups.
Director Paul Heidebrecht and Grebel’s Director of Advancement Fred Martin celebrate 5 years of catalyzing collaboration!
The Centre is grateful for the community surrounding it since the beginning, and is looking forward to building connections with new and old friends alike.
