MPACS Alumnus, Kelsey Gallagher, was drawn to the program because he wanted to work in civil society and was interested in peace and conflict issues, specifically analyzing Canada’s role abroad. “I was also impressed by the teaching staff and that the program emphasized practical learning,” he explains.
MPACS graduate Katelynn Folkerts was recognized as one of five master’s finalists for the University of Waterloo's Alumni Gold Medal Award. The award is granted to one master's student and one doctoral student each year. Being recognized as a finalist places Folkerts among the top 12 students out of more than 1000 students graduating at UWaterloo for the year 2020.
Rebecca Chinamasa, a second-year Master of Peace and Conflict Studies student, recently became a member of The Record's Community Editorial Board for 2020-21.
Lowell Ewert, Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo, has been honoured with one of the four UWaterloo 2020 Distinguished Teacher Awards. This award celebrates exemplary instructors with a record of teaching excellence over an extended period. In addition to intellectual rigour, criteria for the award include impact beyond the classroom, concern for students, and a favourable and lasting influence on students and colleagues.
Facilitating engaging classes is just one of the ways that Lowell Ewert cares for and supports students in achieving their goals. Lowell is Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo. Originally a lawyer, he researches the ways that peace interacts with human rights, law, and civil society.
Students who take courses with Jennifer Ball appreciate her active example of what it means to live peaceably. Jennifer is Assistant Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo. She holds a Doctorate in Rural Studies with a focus on Sustainable Rural Communities.
The 2019 Katherine Lemke Heinrichs Scholarship (KLHS) has been awarded to two Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) students at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo. The KLHS is awarded to students who are dedicated to areas of peace and conflict transformation and international human rights regarding displaced persons.
After years of planning and several months of consultations, on January 12, 2020, Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) alumnus, Rizwan Rizwan, helped launch the Shantinagar Peace Resource Center in Khanewal, Pakistan. The Center is a peacebuilding initiative that was a vision of Rizwan's when he enrolled in the MPACS program in 2017. Now his vision is finally a reality.
MPACS Blog is now live with its first blog post titled Reflections on social media, space and the practice of peace!
Please be encouraged to subscribe to this blog and share its postings with those who may be interested in stories and reflections from the MPACS program.