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.
Current Position
PACS Department Communications Assistant for the Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 terms.
General Accountability
The role of the Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) Department Communications Assistant is to support the department's communication strategies, enhance its visibility, and effectively engage with various stakeholders (students, staff, and faculty). They are responsible for creating written content for various communication channels, such as newsletters, social media posts, website content, and promotional materials. The PACS Communications Assistant reports to the PACS Undergraduate Academic and Administrative Officer.
Contract: Part-time (10 hours per week)
Starting August 14, 2023 - through Fall term 2023 and Winter term 2024
Pay Rate: $17/hour (10 hours per week)
Start Date: August 14, 2023
Please find the PACS Communications Assistant Job Description (PDF) for more information here.
Application is due by July 31st, 2023
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
- PeaceTech Living-Learning Community
- Internships and volunteering with their partner organizations
Visit the Centre for Peace Advancement website for more details on ways to get involved!
Living-Learning at Grebel
If you are interested in Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) as a possible future subject of major interest, you may apply to be part of one of Grebel’s Living-Learning programs with other students who share your program or interests.
PACS Living-Learning Community
Be part of a diverse residential community of 142 students from all faculties and programs, while enjoying the benefits of growing with a small group of PACS students and an upper-year peer leader. You will participate in academic events, benefit from the experience of your peer leaders as you plan your goals, and make an impact on your friends as you share what you are learning with the wider Grebel community. Apply to Grebel to be part of the PACS Living-Learning program.
Upper-year PACS students can also apply to be the Living-Learning Community Peer Leader! Applications are opened in March for positions the following year. If you are interested in learning more about this position, contact Ndagire Brendah, the PACS Academic Advisor.
PeaceTech Living-Learning Community
The PeaceTech Living-Learning Community is a community of students from diverse disciplines that explores the intersection of peacebuilding and technology - critically reflecting on the social impact of technology, and fostering the creation of "tech for good."
The community is comprised of undergraduate students from all years of study who are residents, virtual residents, or associates at Conrad Grebel University College.
Read more about PeaceTech at the Centre for Peace Advancement.
Clubs
WUSA Clubs, Services, and Societies Day
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
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.
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.
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.
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, 2022. 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.