In celebration of the International Day of Peace (September 21), Conrad Grebel University College is pleased to be organizing Peace Week - a week of events to acknowledge and raise awareness for peace related issues.
Saturday, September 19
Film Screening: Resistencia - the fight for the Aguan Valley
Resistencia tells the story of campesinos in the Aguan Valley of Honduras and their response to the 2009 military coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya on the eve of an election that would have included a vote on whether or not to re-write the constitution. One of the many groups that stood to gain from a democratically elected government and new constitution was the country's hundreds of thousands of landless farmers, who planned to enshrine their right to soil in the new constitution.
The film follows farmers of the fertile Aguan Valley, who responded to the coup by taking over 10,000 acres of palm oil plantations under illegal control of the most powerful man in the country, Miguel Facussé. The farmers established co-ops on the land in the face of horrifically violent responses from Facussé and his paramilitary security guards. The film follows this story, and profiles some of the leaders who have resisted this violence and continued to fight for their right to land, safety, security and peace.
Join us for a screening of the film followed by a discussion with the filmmaker, Jesse Freeston, that will be led by PACS students.
Watch the film trailer: http://resistenciathefilm.com/trailer
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Great Hall (1111), Conrad Grebel University College
Monday, September 21
Book Introduction and Coffee Break: Landmark Speeches on U.S. Pacifism by Susan Schultz Huxman
Join Susan and the Grebel community at a coffee break to celebrate her newest book, Landmark Speeches on U.S. Pacifism.
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Community Education Room (2202), Conrad Grebel University College
Panel: Making a Killing? Canada and the Global Arms Trade: How weapons exports may fuel human rights violations and armed conflict
This panel discussion, facilitated by Cesar Jaramillo, Executive Director of Project Ploughshares, will be co-sponsored by the MSCU Centre for Peace Advancement and St. Jerome's University.
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Theatre of the Arts, Modern Languages, University of Waterloo
Tuesday, September 22
MSCU Centre for Peace Advancement Incubator Launch
This event will feature the public launch of the Centre's Epp Peace Incubator program.
Time: TBA
Location: MSCU Centre for Peace Advancement, Conrad Grebel University College
RSVP: This event is free, but we ask that you please register online
Wednesday, September 23
Workshop: Vocal Chant (Kecak)
Come out and participate with your voice, body, and spirit! See how we can work together to make music and create peace through a communal experience of chanting interlocking vocal rhythms from the island of Bali, Indonesia.
Time: 12:30 PM
Location: Atrium, Conrad Grebel University College
Community Supper
Grebel's 2015 Distinguished Service Award Winner, Johnny Wideman, will speak in a private address for Grebel students at Community Supper.
Thursday, September 24
Play: This Will Lead to Dancing
Theatre of the Beat will present a new play about wholeness and belonging. Free registration required, with pay what you can donation at the door. After the show there will be a short presentation to Johnny Wideman, for the receipt of the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award.
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Great Hall (1111), Conrad Grebel University College.
RSVP: This event is free admission, but we ask that you register in advance so we know how many guests to expect.
Friday, September 25
High School Peace Day: "The Art of Peace"
This interactive, day-long workshop will explore creativity as a tool for working against oppression. Through historic, global and personal case studies, students engage with the concept of peace building as an "art" that often calls for a creative approach.
This event is for pre-registered high school students. If you are a teacher interested in getting your class involved, please contact Jessica Scott, Recruitment Coordinator.
Saturday, September 26
MCEC Workshop: "Pastoring People of Peace in a Country at War"
This is a one-day workshop for pastors and leaders discussing peace in congregations. Registration will be limited to 40.
Time: TBA
Location: Community Education Room (2202), Conrad Grebel University College