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Is food a human right? Is the famine in east Africa just a symptom of something bigger? Does buying locally actually promote peace? How does a discussion on food relate to the International Day of Peace?

Inspiration from a visiting art exhibit called “Just Food” and concern regarding the ongoing crisis in east Africa has spurred an event that will tackle these tough questions on issues of food and peace. 

A mum wrote after the first day of Peace Camp on August 8:

Our son is still raving about his first day at Peace Camp. He told me all about how to do mediation on the way home!

J. had just practiced some peer mediation skills with Dr. Fae Samuels, a retired educator who specialized in bringing peer mediation into the schools in Toronto throughout her career as a principal.

Peace Camp, for a group of 18 youth aged 11-14 (Grade 6-8) is a new initiative at Conrad Grebel University College to get kids to think about peace and social justice issues, but with fun and games and lots of guest speakers. On Tuesday, they watched a drama put on by the University of Waterloo’s Sustainability Project group about choices and food issues. They also heard about Zambia from Daryl Good who recently returned from a Mennonite Central Committee volunteer experience in that country. On Wednesday, Herb Goldstein from Toronto told about his experiences in high school during the holocaust. In response one camper said,

It’s different hearing someone’s story out loud than reading about it in a book.

The “jam-packed and interesting program” was developed by Devon Spier, a fourth-year Peace and Conflict Studies and Religious Studies student at the University of Waterloo. Her staff team is very diverse. She says:

It’s an amazing experience to be a student from a Jewish background and be able to coordinate a Peace Camp with a wonderful team of two Muslims and a Catholic, hosted by a Mennonite institution.

The rest of the week will involve hearing about refugee issues, playing “Peace Camp Jeopardy,” and playing a Risk Game on nuclear Weapons and disarmament, brought by Scientists for Peace.

Lowell Ewert, the Director of Peace and Conflict Studies (the program that sponsored the Peace Camp at the college) says:

In light of recent events in England where concerns about youth are being expressed, it is even more important that we make and take opportunities to inspire our young people with the idea that they can make positive changes in their world.

On Friday, August 12 at 11:00am in the Great Hall at Conrad Grebel University College, there will be an Art Show where parents and the community are invited to see and hear from the youth about their experiences. All are welcome.

Peace Camp was co-sponsored by Mennonite Savings and Credit Union, House of Friendship, Interfaith Grand River, and was assisted with a grant from Service Canada.

In a fitting close to his presidential term, Henry Paetkau announced that Conrad Grebel University College’s new Community Education Room will be funded by a $500,000 gift from RBJ Schlegel Holdings Inc..

Is food ever just food? Food is not only something to be routinely prepared and consumed, it is also essential for human life. Food is an important aspect of celebrating as families and communities and has also been declared a human right. However, the reality is that food is not always justly accessible.

Waterloo, Ontario – Conrad Grebel University College invites junior youth to have fun and make a difference at this summer’s first-ever Peace Camp. With fun in the sun and a social justice twist, Peace Camp promises a five-day action-packed program that combines the excitement of summer camp with critical approaches to conflict.

The new camp pairs campers aged 11-14 with youth and adults across Ontario who promote peacemaking in their communities. Each day, Peace Camp will be joined by scientists, artists, musicians and more who will share practical strategies they are using to change the world.

Campers will engage in fun-filled games, sports, and arts & crafts that will help them understand particular conflicts and will develop action plans to better their homes, schools and communities. Participants will also have a chance to share arts, crafts, drama, foods and games from their families, cultures, religions and countries.

The Peace Camp staff team will serve as guides on campers’ journeys to peace, by helping to create a nurturing environment that puts youth first. Dante Labriola, one of four Peace Camp staff members, writes:

Because of my experiences, as a student and as a teacher, I believe that peace and justice education is fundamental to the success of life-long learning. We are able to tackle difficult issues, consider complicated questions, and the challenge of being human.

At Peace Camp, it clearly pays to play. By prizing childlike qualities and encouraging youth to problem-solve, young people can be part of a safe space where they can be themselves, overcome obstacles they face, and work toward a better world.  

The summer session of Peace Camp extends from Monday, August 8 to Friday, August 12, 2011. Full-day (9:00am-4:00pm) and half-day (9:00am-12:00pm) options are available with the inclusion of lunch for the full-day option. Peace Camp is committed to providing a low-cost program to make sure all interested youth can participate. This is made possible through a charitable grant from the Mennonite Savings and Credit Union. The cost for the full-day option is $150.00 and the cost for the half-day option is $65.00.

Register at Peace Camp website.
Follow us on Twitter at: UoWPeaceCamp

Peace Camp at Waterloo.
Inspiring Lives. Strengthening Ties. Making Peace Happen in Waterloo Region.

Inquiries can be direct to:
Devon Spier
Peace Camp Coordinator
peacecamp@uwaterloo.ca
519-885-0220 ex. 24291
grebel.uwaterloo.ca/peacecamp

The seminar room in the new academic building at Conrad Grebel University College will be named in honour of Grebel’s 6th President, Henry Paetkau. The Henry Paetkau Seminar Room, offering a wonderful view of the front of the campus and Westmount Road, will be on the main level of the $6.3 million addition and will be used for graduate studies.

Upon nomination from the Department of Music at Conrad Grebel University College, Mr. Jean-Philippe Collard received a Doctor of Letters from the University of Waterloo during convocation on June 16, 2011.

Every year, Conrad Grebel’s Convocation service is a culmination of the College’s central values of faith, scholarship, service and community, and a celebration of the students, professors, and community who live out these values each day. Degrees are granted in the Master of Theological Studies program, and achievements of University of Waterloo undergraduates who have participated in Grebel life are recognized.

In a bold move and example of visionary leadership fifty years ago, Milton R. Good spearheaded the establishment of Conrad Grebel College on the campus of the University of Waterloo. Together with Norman High, Harvey Taves, John W. Snyder, and Henry H. Epp, the dream of a residential college for Mennonite students studying at university in non-theological disciplines took shape.

Since it was established in 1963, Conrad Grebel University College has had a reputation among scholars and church leaders as a major center for the study of sixteenth century Anabaptism and Mennonite history. This standing is based on the distinguished scholarship of Walter Klaassen, Werner Packull, and Arnold Snyder, who retires in May 2011.