The conference will feature a keynote address by University of Waterloo professor Dr. Paul Fieguth, a panel discussion, and engaging workshops.A group of Grebel students is organizing this year’s Intercollegiate Peace Fellowship Conference at Conrad Grebel University College from February 3-5, 2012 on the theme of “Environment and Peace: Reimagining Our Place in the Environment.” This international conference will bring together students from Canada and the United States to collaborate and discuss this topic.
The Intercollegiate Peace Fellowship Conference began in 1948 at Goshen College and represents the peace societies and other peace and justice interested students of Mennonite and affiliated colleges/universities in Canada and the United States. Each year, students organize and host a rotating conference that brings students together to learn from their diverse university experiences. This year’s conference hopes to engage not only students, but also members from the surrounding community.
This year’s theme of Environment and Peace aims to encompass humanity’s relationship with the environment and how it affects people around the world. The ICPF organizers believe that abuse of the environment negatively affects the poorest people who have the least power to change, and that those with the power to change have a responsibility to think critically about their relationship with the environment and act responsibly. This conference provides an opportunity for those passionate about peace and justice issues to critically think about our relationship with the environment and how we can have a positive impact in our communities.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Paul Fieguth, is a systems design engineering professor at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Fieguth’s address will give conference participants a unique perspective on peace and environmental issues. Some of his areas of focus are fossil fuels, climate issues, alternative energy, and social change. His belief that “the combined forces of energy depletion and human caused ecosystem change will lead to very difficult times” has motivated him to give presentations on energy and climate issues.
Michelle Metzger and Laura Dyck, two motivated Waterloo students, are the head conference coordinators of the ICPF conference. Michelle Metzger is a 3rd year Knowledge Integration student and is passionate about people and how we might find creative solutions to develop in harmony with the environment. A 3rd year International Development student, Laura Dyck is enthusiastic about building vibrant sustainable communities. The ICPF organizing committee is composed of a variety of Conrad Grebel and Peace and Conflict Studies students who are all passionate about the conference and the collaborating opportunities it will foster among the participants.