PACS Students Opportunities
The following are some of the ways Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) students can get involved with the PACS Department, PACS students' leadership, and local and international organizations.
Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement
The Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement strives to inspire and equip changemakers by building networks and pathways for high-impact careers, catalyzing interdisciplinary teams to spark innovation, and bridging theory and practice by engaging academics, activists, and artists.
There are so many ways to engage with the Centre for Peace Advancement, including:
- Academic courses taught by their partners and staff
- Employment opportunities through co-op and internships
- Map the System global challenge
- MEDAx pitch competition
- Internships and volunteering with their partner organizations
Visit the Centre for Peace Advancement website for more details on ways to get involved!
University of Waterloo Students Associations
As a PACS student, you have access to over 200 clubs that the University of Waterloo has to offer. With a wide range of focuses, there is something for everyone! The best way to find out about what each club has to offer and how to get involved is by attending Clubs, Services, and Societies Day hosted by the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Union.
Clubs, Services, and Societies Day is held in the Student Life Centre (SLC) Great Hall at the beginning of each term.
Visit the WUSA website here to find out more information.
Students Oriented Conferences
Notre Dame Student Peace Conference
The Notre Dame Student Peace Conference is an annual conference organized by undergraduate peace studies students at the University of Notre Dame. They hold this conference every year to provide a space for undergraduate and graduate students to dialogue about peacebuilding, social justice, and conflict transformation. Their goal is to foster a learning environment in which students can present their ideas, research, and experiences within a network of peers who share their personal and academic interests in building a more just and peaceful world. Learn more about this student conference here.
Intercollegiate Peace Fellowship (ICPF) Conference
The Intercollegiate Peace Fellowship (ICPF) conference is a student-led conference that is planned by students for students. It 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.
In February 2018, the ICPF conference was hosted right here at Conrad Grebel University College in celebration of the 40th anniversary of our Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) program.
Contact the Ndagire Brendah to learn more about this opportunity.
Consortium of North American Peace Programs (CONAPP)
CONAPP is an undergraduate student-run, student-centered, peace, and justice conference held at Gettysburg College (Pennsylvania, USA). Gettysburg is famous for the United States' Civil War, CONAPP provides a space to discuss peace and justice, and dare to imagine radical alternatives!
CONAPP embraces a Freirean praxis (critical reflection plus critical action) format. Presenters will send their ideas in advance for attendees to read. Sessions will begin with dialogue followed by a presentation, and then a discussion on how to make these ideas actionable.
Visit their website to learn more about the conference and ways to participate.
Canadian Roots Exchange (CRE) Conference
Canadian Roots Exchange (CRE) is a national Indigenous youth-led organization empowering youth to shape the future of truth and reconciliation in this country. CRE Gatherings are a youth for youth facilitated annual conference that creates an open space for the sharing of knowledge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth.
Peace and Justice Studies Association Conference
The Peace and Justice Studies Association (PJSA) serves as a professional association for scholars in the field of peace and conflict studies. PJSA is dedicated to bringing together academics, educators, and activists to explore alternatives to violence and share visions and strategies for peacebuilding, social justice, and social change.
We host an annual meeting and conference, support research and public scholarship, and serve as a network hub for a diverse and growing academic and professional field. As a relatively new and interdisciplinary field, PJSA serves to represent individuals who hold a variety of degree types such as Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Peace Studies, Social Justice Studies, Restorative Justice, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and more.
Learn more about their work and conferences here.
MCC United Nations Seminar
The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) United Nations Office hosts an annual students' seminar at their office in New York City. Each year has a different theme emphasizing a current issue or topic, such as peacebuilding in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other regions, refugee resettlement and internally displaced persons, armed conflicts, nonviolent peacekeeping, and more. The seminar features a variety of speakers, from experts in the field to NGO workers, peacebuilding professionals, peace practitioners, government officials, and UN representatives.
Funding is available to assist with travel costs for students attending this event. This is a great opportunity to visit the UN, meet like-minded students from other peace institutions, and engage in peace issues.
Registration is currently open and the application deadline is October 12, 2023. For more information, contact Ndagire Brendah.
MCC Ottawa Seminar
Closer to home, the MCC Ottawa Office also hosts an annual student seminar in February. This conference is set up similarly to the UN Seminar but focuses on issues in a Canadian context and features speakers from MCC, advocacy networks, and NGOs as well as government officials. It's a great opportunity to engage with peace practitioners and other students and gain a better understanding of the relationship between parliament and civil society organizations. For more information, contact Ndagire Brendah.