PACS Biweekly Newsletter March 24th, 2021

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

PACS Biweekly Newsletter
Hello PACS students! I don't know about you, but I'm finding it harder and harder to want to focus on work while the weather continues to get nicer and nicer. Here's to powering through the last bit of the term!

Below, we've highlighted some of the important events, opportunities, and resources that are available.

Resources for Supporting Asian Canadians

This article by Elle Canada has some great tips for how you can get involved and help to support the Asian and Pacific Islander community during this heartbreaking period.

We in the PACS department are committed to standing with the Asian and Pacific Islander community. If you have more resources to share with the department, or ideas about ways for the department to do more, please send an email to pacsasst@uwaterloo.ca!
 

PACS Department Events

PACS Friday Morning Coffee Hangouts

Once again, the PACS department will be hosting a biweekly coffee hangout on zoom! If you have the time, please join us with a hot drink of choice at 10 AM on Friday, the 26th.

Virtual Events

Unmute - Theatre of the Beat

Join Peace and Conflict Studies and the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement on Tuesday, March 30, 7:30pm-9:30pm for a virtual production of “Unmute” by Theatre of the Beat. Unmute is a forum theatre piece that addresses the rise of domestic violence and gender-based assault during COVID-19. While a family’s life may seem normal from the other side of the screen, abuse is lurking behind closed doors. Immerse yourself in this important and timely piece that gives audience members the chance to rehearse scenarios for real life. Audiences will learn skills and resources for how they can make a difference. If you area a Grebel student or PACS student, Register for free to attend on and participate in changing the story.

 

Toxic Positivity: The Good, Bad and the Made Pretty feat. Nora McInerny

Nora McInerny, author and host of the wildly successful podcast, Terrible, Thanks for Asking, will address our unwillingness and maybe even fear of acknowledging that some things in life truly suck. “Keep your chin up.” “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” “Good vibes only.” These phrases, while well-intentioned, can teach each other to hide, even ignore the emotions we’ve deemed “negative.” But the truth is, sadness, grief, fear and anger are part of what it means to be alive, and possibly more importantly, necessary to understand one’s own needs, boundaries, and experiences; not to mention developing the empathy and urge to take action when we and others are mistreated or worse.

Join Project Humanities Thursday, March 25 for a keynote address by Nora McInerny and facilitated discussion by Dr. Sarah Tracy, Professor of Communication in the ASU Hugh Downs School of Human Communication.

Read more and register here.

 

Opportunities

Now Accepting Applications for the 2022 Rotary Peace Fellowship

The fully funded Rotary Peace Fellowship, which covers tuition and living expenses, increases the capacity of existing leaders to prevent and resolve conflict by offering academic training, field experience, and professional networking.

Up to 130 fellows are selected every year in a globally competitive process based on personal, academic, and professional achievements. Fellows earn either a master’s degree or a certificate in peace and development studies at one of the seven Rotary Peace Centers, located at leading universities around the world.

Applications for the 2022-2023 academic term need to be submitted by 15 May 2021. Please write to rotarypeacecenters@rotary.org with questions.

 

Canadian Japanese Mennonite Scholarship

This $2000 scholarship will be awarded to a student who is:
  • A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or an international student studying at a university in Canada;
  • Enrolled in a graduate program for the fall term following the application deadline; and
  • Engaged in research that will assist the protection of minority or human rights in Canada.
The application deadline is April 1st, 2021, so be sure to apply before then! Email pacsasst@uwaterloo.ca for more information.

 

St. Paul's Greenhouse Social Innovators in Training program

GreenHouse is a community for innovators who want to create social or environmental change.

The Social Innovator in Training Program runs students through a series of milestones to start their idea for social or environment change through our 12 week training program. 

Students who apply and are accepted to the Social Innovator in Training Program work with other like-minded innovators interested in creating social or environmental change through their own project or venture. Students coming into this program usually have a problem they are interested in tackling or an idea they want to launch.

Being part of the program gives you milestones to move your ideas into action, access to core mentors including the professional networks at GreenHouse, and access to funding opportunities to move your ideas forward. This can be done within a course or as co-curricular activity.

Interested students are encouraged to visit our website to learn more. Deadline to apply is March 28th.

Resources for Online Learning

UW Counselling Services

Counselling Services is a team of professionals that provides programming and services to help you lead a healthy and balanced life. Services are free for students and have transitioned to phone and video for Fall 2020. To book an appointment please call 519-888-4567 ext. 32655

Be sure to also look at the Uwaterloo Mental Health Resources page for more options and information.


 

PJ-Friendly Undergrad Writing Groups

Join a peer tutor and a group of your fellow undergraduates to:

  • meet other students
  • brainstorm ideas for your assignments
  • get some writing done
  • and celebrate your accomplishments!

Join us on Teams for our weekly writing group meetings, then check in with us throughout the week using Teams chat. Come to 3 writing group sessions this term and get a #WaterlooWrites mug! Come to 5 sessions, and we'll throw in some candy. Come to 8, and we'll fill your mug to overflowing with edible treats!

Mondays from 7 to 9 pm
Wednesdays from 10 am to 12 pm