Peace and Conflict Studies

Turbulent times like ours call for people who understand systems of violence and conflict, and who are prepared to build peace with justice. This involves identifying and transforming systems of violence, marginalization, and oppression, including racist, gendered and colonial violence at home as well as around the world. Whether working locally or globally, Peace and Conflict Studies is committed to imagining, educating, and ongoing learning that equips our graduates to pursue justice and peace.

PACS as a department is located on territory that is governed by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum and land promised to the Six Nations Confederacy in 1784 as part of the Haldimand Declaration. For more information, see Conrad Grebel University College's land acknowledgement and read about decolonization at the University of Waterloo's Office of Indigenous Relations.

What is Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS)?

Find out how peace is built in complicated situations around the world by connecting theory and practice. Learn from professors and renowned specialists in peacebuilding who have worked in the field. Gain skills and experience through an internship either locally or internationally. Choose courses from a wide variety of university departments and programs to tailor your program towards your area of interest within the study of peace and justice in a program that recognizes the equal value in both the concrete techniques and the theories of peaceful social change.

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Who are PACS graduates?

PACS graduates have gone into many careers and used their training in different ways.

To learn more about what students can do after they graduate from PACS, check out our alumni profiles

News

When Devon Spier, a Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) Alumni, was asked to summarize their experience with the program, and to talk about what take-away they carried forward with them, they talked about the need to exist in difficult spaces and celebrate differences. Experiences from studying PACS to where they are now are all linked by the importance of finding strength through your differences.

Winter term is coming to a close! We are wishing students well in their final exams, and a wonderful spring/summer time for those taking a break. For those of you studying during spring, we wish you a wonderful term as well.