In this newsletter, you will find...
Featured at Grebel:
Events:
- Food Security in Africa's Secondary Cities: Dschang, Cameroon
- Canada, Oil, and World Politics: The Real Story of Today's Conflict Zones
- Disarming Myths about Women, Weapons, and War
- The Power of Music to Create Inclusive Communities
- Building a Vocal Community: The Power of Song in Community
- 18th Annual Mahatma Gandhi Lecture on Nonviolence: Women, Peace, and Security
Jobs and Opportunities:
- PSCI 493: Israel-Palestine Study Tour
- Experiential Learning Programs with Operation Groundswell
- Caux Scholars Program
- International Peace-Building Institute
- The Forge Internship Opportunity
- Student Opportunities at IDRC
Notes:
Disclaimer: Events and opportunities above are not all endorsed by the PACS department; this bulletin includes opportunities that we think PACS students may be interested in but are not sponsored by PACS. Please use your own discretion to determine if an opportunity is right for you
Featured at Grebel
Scholarships and Awards
The PACS department has over $10,000 in scholarship money for students registered in PACS each year. Scholarship applications for Fall 2019 awards are due Friday, February 25 at 9:00am. Click on “Read More” for the application form and award details.
Do you seek opportunities to reflect on the impact of technology in our world? Are you yearning to apply your creativity to advance peace? PeaceTech may be for you!
The PeaceTech Living-Learning Community is a cluster of students from diverse faculties interested in exploring the intersection of technology and peace in society. They are seeking Peer Leaders for the upcoming year. Peer Leaders are responsible for assisting with program development and providing program leadership and student support for the Peacetech Living-Learning Community. This is a paid position. Click "Read More" to read the full job description.
No tech or peace knowledge is required - just passion and curiosity!
Events
Food Security in Africa's Secondary Cities: Dschang, Cameroon
Date: February 25th
Time: 12:00-2:00pm
Location: Balsillie School of International Affairs, Room 1-43
Cost: Free
Urban food security is a problem that has received little attention in Cameroon, despite the fact that it is a rapidly urbanizing country in which many people struggle to make ends meet. Some key problems include high unemployment, high food prices, and population growth. Producing one's own food becomes difficult with these factors. This presentation will review findings from a household survey carried out in Dschang, Cameroon, in which the majority of households were found to be food insecure, to assess the levels of household food insecurity and to understand how their food system works. The presentation will draw particular attention to the role of indigenous plants.
Canada, Oil, and World Politics: The Real Story of Today's Conflict Zones
Date: February 27th
Time: 7:00-8:00pm
Location: Balsillie School of International Affairs, Room 1-42
Cost: Free
Petroleum, the most valuable commodity around, is the cause of the exploitation of many people. Powerful countries want to be sure that they have access to supplies and markets, regardless of what the cost to human life or the environment may be. This talk will explore military interventions, tensions around international waterways, and the use of sanctions or political interference related to the petroleum trade, as well as the petroleum-related reasons that governments may camouflage their actions.
Disarming Myths about Women, Weapons, and War
Date: March 7th
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Location: Balsillie School of International Affairs
Cost: Free
Disarmament, arms-control, security, and other related fields are traditionally male-dominated fields. Organizations such as the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) attempt to challenge these norms - and address issues of gender, militarism, peace, and security - through the empowerment of citizen-led initiatives to create changes in political frameworks. As part of the Centre for International Governance Innovation's (CIGI) programming around International Women's day, this lecture by Allison Pytlak, manager for the disarmament program of the WILPF, will explore women's contributions to peace building, disarmament, and arms control.
The Power of Music to Create Inclusive Communities
Date: March 8th
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Conrad Grebel University College, Great Hall
Cost: Free
Dr. Ysaÿe Barnwell, appointed as the College’s Rodney and Lorna Sawatsky Visiting Scholar, will offer the Sawatsky Lecture on “The Power of Music to Create Inclusive Communities.” Barnwell is a celebrated scholar, composer, choral clinician, vocalist, and former member of the African American female a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock.
Note: registration is required to attend
Building a Vocal Community: The Power of Song in Community
Date: March 9th
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Knox Waterloo Presbyterian Church
Cost: Free
Dr. Ysaÿe Barnwell, appointed as the College’s Rodney and Lorna Sawatsky Visiting Scholar, will offer a workshop on "Building a Vocal Community: The Power of Song in Community." Barnwell is a celebrated scholar, composer, choral clinician, vocalist, and former member of the African American female a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock.
Note: registration is required to attend.
Date: March 14th
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Location: McMaster University, Health Sciences Center, 1A1
Cost: Free
Presented by McMaster University's Peace Studies Program and Centre for Peace Studies, Leymah Gbowee, 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate, will be delivering a talk titled "Women, Peace and Security." Ms. Gbowee is a Liberian peace activist, trained social worker, and women's rights advocate. Her leadership of the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace brought together Christian and Muslim women in a nonviolent movement that played a pivotal role in ending Liberia's civil war in 2003. Ms. Gbowee currently serves as Executive Director of the Women, Peace, and Security Program at Columbia University's Earth Institute. She is also the founder and current President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa.
Note: if you are thinking about going but need a ride, PACS Academic Advisor Rachel Reist is offering to carpool! Email rreist@uwaterloo.ca for more information.
Jobs and Opportunities
PSCI 493: Israel-Palestine Study Tour
Do you want to study in Israel this summer? Apply for Political Science 493-002! From August 16th-30th, you will have the opportunity to travel to Israel-Palestine to meet scholars, diplomats, scientists, entrepreneurs, journalists, religious leaders, and social justice advocates.You will also get to visit major cities and sites of historic, economic, and religious significance, such as Tel Aviv, Haifa, Nazareth, Jerusalem, and Eilat. This course is eligible for PACS 395 Travel Course credit. Application deadline is March 1st, 2019 at 4:00pm.
Experiential Learning Programs with Operation Groundswell
Discover the world and connect with change makers as you dig into social justice issues and work with local activists, non-profits, and communities to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. Backpacking with a Purpose through Operations Groundswell runs exciting trips all over the world, and many of them are eligible for PACS 395 "Travel Course' credit. Financial assistance is available for all students on five- and six-week programs. The deadline to apply to their summer programs is March 1st, 2019.
Caux Scholars Program
The Caux Scholars Program (CSP) is a multi-discipline network of leaders, influencers, activists, expert scholars, and practitioners who share their critical knowledge and experiences in addressing conflicts. Each year, 20 community leaders from all sectors and backgrounds are selected for the program. They are seeking "committed students and young professionals who are willing to be challenged today in order to build peace tomorrow." This is a 30-day residential program that takes place as part of the Caux Forum in Switzerland each summer. Applications for the program close March 3rd, 2019.
International Peace-Building Institute
Never Again Rwanda (NAR) is a peace-building and social justice organization that arose in response to the 1994 Genocide perpetrated against Tutsis. Their Peace-Building Institute is an important aspect of their program's efforts. NAR believes that emphasizing youth roles and contributions in socio-economic development will help establish sustainable peace worldwide. Each year, they bring together Rwandan, regional, and international university students and young professionals to learn about, study, and examine the reconstruction efforts in post-genocide Rwanda to shape the world towards sustainable peace. Applications for their 2-week summer program close May 10th, 2019.
The Forge Internship Opportunity
The Forge is a 6-month internship designed by International Teams Canada (ITC) for college and university students who have a knowledge and passion for International Development. Forge interns are emerging Christian leaders who share a commitment to seeing communities around the world grow, who wish to learn and utilize practical skills, and want to take the next step in their careers. During this internship, you will have the opportunity to develop a work portfolio, integrate faith with vocation, and make a sustainable contribution to ITC's transformational development program.
Student Opportunities at IDRC
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in Ottawa has many student positions available! The IDRC is part of Canada's foreign affairs and development efforts. They provide developing-country researchers with financial research and training, share knowledge with policymakers and researchers around the world, and foster new talent by offering fellowships and awards. As a student working here, you will be able to put knowledge from the PACS program into practice, develop your skills in a team environment, obtain experience in a wide range of fields, and expand your network.
Notes
RAISE: Racial Advocacy for Inclusion, Solidarity & Equity
The new student-run service, Racial Advocacy for Inclusion, Solidarity & Equity (RAISE), is about to launch on campus! RAISE was created in 2018 in response to a lack of services addressing the needs of racialized students on campus, primarily by students from the Black Association for Student Expression (UW BASE). RAISE aims to address racism and xenophobia, both on-campus and in the community, through services such as education, advocacy, peer support, and community building.
To celebrate, there will be a launch event on February 27th from 5:00-7:30pm at Federation Hall. Come learn about the group and discuss how the campus can come together to put in efforts to dismantle systems of oppression.
LGBTQ+ Making Spaces Workshop
The LGBTQ+ Making Spaces Workshop is a program designed by members of the working group on sexual and gender diversity under the Provost's Advisory Committee on Equity (PACE) in collaboration with The Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity. This 2.5 hour workshop will teach you about gender identity/expression, sexual identity, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and how these intersect with other identities. Participants will also receive support and recommendations to enable them to serve and support the University of Waterloo community. There will be several iterations of this workshop over the course of this term - click "Read More" to find a date that works for you!