Two masters students talk to each other during a class.
Paul Heidebrecht talks to a group of students during an information session.

Grebel Fund - PACS

These uncertain times require people who can navigate conflict, build relationships across differences, and work toward more just and peaceful communities.

Through teaching, research, internships, and experiential learning, the Peace and Conflict Studies program equips students with the skills and perspectives to pursue that work long after graduation. Grebel PACS graduates are out in the world every single day; planting seeds of peace and carrying their values and skills into their communities. 

$134,155 in awards distributed to 22 MPACS students
37 High School Students attended PACS Peace and Justice Day
5 Students completed internships

"Hearing other people share their own lived experiences, along with their own ideas, has profoundly deepened my learning experience." - Theresa Strutt, MPACS Student

Benedikt Isert Bender

“The variety of knowledge and experiences of people within every MPACS class really enriches the learning experience and allows for a more well-rounded view of the world and the content we are taking in.” - Benedikt Isert Bender, MPACS student

Support Peace and Conflict Studies

Your support for Peace and Conflict Studies will make it possible to:

  • Provide students with funds for peace-building work through our undergrad PACS internship program
  • Develop new and innovative academic programs
  • ​Fund public education events
  • Provide funding for Master in PACS scholarships and internships
  • Reach our goal departmental goal of $7,500 

This year's goal is $380,000

Your donation helps fund meaningful opportunities for both PACS and MPACS students.

Donate Online

Donate online using a Credit Card through the University of Waterloo Donation page.

  • Simply select the fund at Grebel you wish to support and fill in your details.
  • Your receipt for online donations will come from the University of Waterloo.

Questions?

To learn more about how your gift to Peace and Conflict Studies will impact Grebel students, contact Chris Brnjas, Director of Development.
519-885-0220 x24381

Give students the opportunity for hands-on peacebuilding.

Peace and Conflict Studies students are learning how to transform conflict, work for justice, and build a more peaceful world.

PACS students at the UN
Thursday, December 19, 2024

Peace and Conflict Studies students visit the United Nations in New York City

"It's hard to describe, but it hit me right in the heart. I just thought, sometimes things can look one way, but then with a little more context or information, it can completely change your perspective," reflected Nancy Williams on a statue she saw at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City during a multi-day student seminar hosted by Mennonite Central Committee. The statue, pictured on the left, was recovered from the 1945 Nagasaki bombing. "How can something look so perfect from one side but then on the other side, you know there's just absolute tragedy?" 

Imogen in residence.
Thursday, June 13, 2024

Grebel Student Achieves Academic Excellence in the Community

Imogen Sloss, an undergraduate student who recently completed a degree double majoring in PACS and Psychology, has been awarded the Governor General’s Academic Silver Medal for the highest GPA of the 2024 graduating Arts students at the University of Waterloo. The award recognizes a student graduating from the Faculty of Arts with the highest overall average. Imogen also attained the top cumulative average of all Arts students who finished in spring 2023, fall 2023, and winter 2024— by extension, she is also receiving the Department Award for Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) and the Currie Scholarship. 

Paint as PRotest, 2024 Eby Lecture, November 14 2024
Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Paint as Protest: Analyzing Graffiti and Street Art

“Graffiti tells us a lot about what people are thinking about, particularly people who might not have access to wider political or social conversations; people who aren’t in decision-making circles,” explained University of Waterloo Peace and Conflict Studies Professor Eric Lepp. For the 2024 Benjamin Eby Lecture, Lepp will describe how graffiti and street art serve as valuable tools for examining social and political dynamics in conflict-affected societies. This year’s lecture is titled “Paint as a Protest” and will take place at Conrad Grebel University College on Thursday, November 14. The Eby Lecture is an annual event that presents the research of a Grebel faculty member.  

Restorative Justice Workshop
Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Healing and Justice – Restorative Justice Specialization and Diploma

The RJ Specialization is open to all Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) Major students looking to pursue an in-depth study of alternative, non-conventional responses to societal harms and injustices, as well as solutions to harms experienced by individuals or groups in schools, faith communities, or social settings. The RJ Diploma is available to all University of Waterloo students enrolled in a degree program or any non- or post-degree academic plan.