- Parliament of the World's Religions
- MCC Peace Conference
- Women, Peace, and Security Public Forum
- "Imagining Peace" - Remembrance Day Centenary
- The World Remembers: An Afternoon for Peace
- Restored and Forgiven: The Power of Restorative Justice
- Restraining Great Powers: Soft Balancing from Empires to the Global Era
- Justice and Reconciliation in World Politics
- "Peace Research in a Turbulent World" Lunchtime Seminar
- "Forbidden Dream - Fighting for the Right" Discussion
- International Humanitarian Law Conference
Jobs & Opportunities:
- Volunteer with the Women's Centre
- Operation Groundswell Travel Opportunities
- MEDA Internship Opportunities
- CPA Opportunities Fair
Notes:
- Humans of PACS
- Special Topics in PACS
- Coping Skills Seminars
- Alleviating Anxiety Seminars
- Flu Clinics
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.
Events
Parliament of the World's Religions
Date: November 1st-7th, 2018
Time: Varies
Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Cost: Day pass $60-$145
The Parliament of the World's Religions is the world's largest interfaith gathering! This year, it welcomes thousands of delegates to Toronto, from 80 countries that represent almost 200 religious, spiritual, and Indigenous traditions. It will feature more than 900 programs and events.
MCC Peace Conference
Date: November 10th, 2018
Time: 9am-4pm
Location: Forward Church, Cambridge
Cost: $10-$45
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is hosting this day-long Peace Conference that will inspire and inform through general sessions, workshops, and conversations. MCC has been involved in peacebuilding initiatives both locally and internationally for over 60 years. At this convention, you will be able to see, hear, and experience how MCC is changing lives and communities through their efforts.
Women, Peace, and Security
Date: November 11th, 2018
Time: 2pm-4pm
Location: Conrad Grebel Great Hall
Cost: Free
Women, Peace, and Security: Dispatches from Time and Place is a public forum to remember the impact of war and colonization on women and girls. Speakers include: Lori Campbell, Carol Acton, Zaitun Hnin Pwint Phyu, and Jennifer Henry.
"Imagining Peace" - Remembrance Day Centenary
Date: November 10th, 2018
Time: 9am-4pm
Location: Kingston City Hall Memorial Room
Cost: $50
Kingston will host world-renowned peace expert, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies, Paul Rogers, at several events to mark the Centenary of the end of the First World War. Rogers will be the keynote speaker of "Imagining Peace: A Vision for Canada." He has worked for the past 40 years on international security, especially the interlinking issues of economic difference, environmental limits, and political violence.
The World Remembers: An Afternoon for Peace
Date: November 11th. 2018
Time: 2:30pm-4:30pm
Location: Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, Kingston
Cost: $29
Join the Isabel and non-profit organization PeaceQuest to mark Remembrance Day with a concert! It will feature Open Voices Community Choir, the Juno Award winning Okavango African Orchestra, the Kingston Youth Choir, and PeaceSong. The concert will include a visual memorial marking the centenary of the end of World War I.
Restored and Forgiven: The Power of Restorative Justice
Date: November 18th, 2018
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Conrad Grebel Great Hall
Cost: Free
"Restored and Forgiven: The Power of Restorative Justice" is a public lecture that features guest speakers Ray and Vi Donovan (MBEs) from the United Kingdom. They work passionately to give voice to a restorative justice approach through education and system change.
Restraining Great Powers: Soft Balancing from Empires to the Global Era
Date: November 8th, 2018
Time: 11:30am-1:30pm
Location: Balsillie School of International Affairs, Room A1-20
Cost: Free
Power politics have taken a different form. Instead of employing strategies like active military alliances, leading powers seek to restrain threatening powers through the use of international institutions, informal alignments, and economic sanctions; this is called "soft balancing." Lecturer T.V. Paul will explain how these subtler forms of balance-of-power politics can be useful in helping states achieve their goals against aggressive powers.
Justice and Reconciliation in World Politics
Date: November 22nd, 2018
Time: 12:00-1:30pm
Location: Balsillie School of International Affairs. Room 1-43
Cost: Free
Justice and Reconciliation in World Politics is a book that examines normative and critical theory of how to conceptualize practices of justice and reconciliation that aim to respond to colonial injustices. Author Catherine Lu will argue that contemporary moral/political projects of justice and reconciliation involve strategies of decolonialization. decentering, and disalienation.
"Peace Research in a Turbulent World" Lunchtime Seminar
Date: November 7th
Time: 11:30am-1:30pm
Location: Conrad Grebel University College, Room 2202
Cost: Free
Join us for this informal lunchtime seminar with Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies, University of Bradford. Rogers is a world-renowned peace expert who has worked for the past 40 years on international security, especially the interlinking issues of economic difference, environmental limits, and political violence.
International Humanitarian Law Conference
Date: November 13th, 2018
Time: 8:30am-5pm
Location: Balsillie School of International Affairs, Room 1-42
Cost: Free
This conference aims to uncover the role that International Humanitarian Law (IHL) plays as an instrument of peace. It will address disarmament and arms control, the importance of education in conflict and peace times, and health and disability in armed conflict. Experts in the field, including academics, practitioners, and representatives from the Canadian Red Cross Society will be in attendance.
"Forbidden Dream - Fighting for the Right" Discussion
Date: November 7th, 2018
Time: 7pm
Location: Hagey Hall of the Humanities Theatre
Cost: Free
Zahra Mahmoodi, former captain of the first women's soccer team of Afghanistan, grew up with the knowledge that she would not be able to pursue her dreams because she was a girl. She has fought for women's rights using her global platform and was honored with the Muhammad Ali Six Core Principles Humanitarian Award in 2013 for her efforts. In this discussion, she will provide insight about the rights of women and girls and the important role that sport can play in advancing development.
Jobs and Opportunities
Volunteer with the Women's Centre
The Women's Centre is hiring for the Winter 2019 term! They are looking to fill the following positions: General Volunteer | Coordinator | Publicity Director | Advocacy Director | Literature Director | Internal Director (2) | Social Director | Workshops & Education Director
Click "Read More" to apply on Leads. Applications close November 11th, 2018.
MEDA Internship Opportunities
Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) is hiring for International Interns beginning January 2019! MEDA is an association based in Waterloo that invests in people who live in poverty around the world to help them earn a sustainable livelihood for their family and for community enrichment. PACS alumni and MPACS students and alumni are welcome to apply.
Operation Groundswell Travel Opportunities
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. Submit your application to the non-profit organization Operation Groundswell by November 23rd, 2018. Programs are filling up quickly. Financial assistance is available for all students on five- and six-week programs.
CPA Opportunities Fair
The Centre for Peace Advancement (CPA) is providing an opportunity for students to learn more about the roles peace innovators and peace organizations have in promoting peace and justice. There will be representatives available to engage with students, answer questions, and inform them of any potential volunteer or internship positions. Drop by the Centre for Peace Advancement on the fourth floor of Conrad Grebel University College between 11:30am-1:30pm on October 31st to enjoy food and conversation!
Notes
Humans of PACS
Hi everyone! PACS Communications Assistant here. I want to try something new: Humans of PACS! We want to hear YOUR stories about your experiences and time in the PACS program! Each month, we want to highlight several people on our social media to showcase the diversity of students in the program and the multitude of backgrounds and experiences we bring to our shared peace efforts. What you share is up to you- it can range from your time in the program, long-term goals, or even general insights on life. Undergrads and Masters students are both welcome! If you are interested in participating or would like more information, DM us on any social media or email pacsasst@uwaterloo.ca!
Instructor: Andrew Thompson
Course Description: This course will examine the ethical and practical challenges that civil society actors encounter when trying to advance and defend human rights in a world that has become increasingly hostile to international human rights norms and laws. Topics discussed in the course will include but not be limited to: Human Rights at the United Nations, past and present; women’s human rights; LGBTQ+ rights; disability rights; refugee rights; the rights of Indigenous peoples; and “new human rights,” such as rights in an age of Artificial Intelligence.
Course Description: This course pilot will address the overlaps and synergies between social innovation and the theory and practice of peacebuilding. While targeting PACS majors and minors, this course will draw on the expertise and connections of the Centre for Peace Advancement (CPA) to enable PACS to make a distinctive contribution to the growing variety of entrepreneurship course offerings at UWaterloo.
Coping Skills Seminars
These coping skills seminars will teach you the basics of self-care, mindfulness, meditation, and useful strategies for coping with and anxiety and stress:
- Challenging Thinking
- Managing Emotions
- Strengthening Motivation
- Cultivating Resiliency
Alleviating Anxiety Seminar
This seminar is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness and is designed to help you better understand anxiety, its causes, and the factors that maintain it. You will be introduced to a number of strategies to alleviate anxiety in the moment, challenge your thoughts, and change anxiety-inducing behaviours.