Peace and Conflict Studies - Grebel & UWaterloo

05/11/2026

What happens when a university course invites students to produce creative works that engage difference constructively? “Arts-based approaches allow people to explore issues and concerns in ways that are embodied, fluid, and metaphorical," explained PACS Professor Reina Neufeldt. "Performances can tap into an emotional registry as well as creativity and play. In these spaces, people hear and see perspectives differently, often with greater empathy and openness.”

Read more about PACS 302/THPERF 490: Relational Aesthetics Towards Dialogue, which combines arts-based approaches to dialogue with performance studies.

new interdisciplinary course, PACS 302/THPERF 490: Relational Aesthetics Towards Dialogue.

04/16/2026

This week at Peace and Conflict Studies Department:

Appreciation post for some of this year’s PACS undergraduate students, who participated in Conrad Grebel’s Convocation celebration at the Humanities Theatre on Sunday, April 12th, 2026. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication throughout your years in the PACS program, and congratulations on your many accomplishments.

Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors as you continue to work for equitable peace, social justice and community transformation wherever your journey takes you.

03/25/2026

The C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest is taking place TODAY from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in the Grebel Gallery (fourth floor).
Come check out the contestants and take part in an active listening experience.
You can find out more at the link in our bio.

03/20/2026

Join us for an inspiring event of Indigenous knowledge, storytelling, and reconciliation, with speaker Phyllis Webstad. Phyllis Webstad is the Founder and CEO of the Orange Shirt Society. At the age of six, Phyllis was sent to St. Joseph Mission Residential School, and her belongings were taken from her on the first day, including her orange shirt that her grandmother had given her. Now, she tours the country telling her story and raising awareness about the impacts of the residential school system, and the orange shirt has become a symbol of hope, reconciliation and a commitment to a better future. During the event, there will be opportunities to listen to Phyllis' story and discuss actionable steps toward reconciliation.

Date: Tuesday March 24, 2026

Time: 7:00-9:30pm (Refreshments start at 7pm)

Venue: Conrad Grebel University College's Dining Room

More information is available at the link in our bio.

03/18/2026

Originally studying political science at Carlton University, Dylan-Paige transferred to the PACS program in her second year. She wanted a program that allowed her to pursue her interest in human rights and World War II history more specifically and found that PACS would be a good fit.

Dylan-Paige was able to explore the relationship between theory and practice under the supervision of Dr. Naren Kumarakulasingam earlier this year through PACS401. “It was a really cool class, it taught us how to write, craft and read research papers.” She noted..
“It was a small group, so we helped each other a lot with our projects. For example, the title of my research paper was suggested to me by a classmate.” These group settings allow students to feel comfortable asking questions and learning from peers, while creating meaningful interactions.

Read more using the link in our bio!

03/11/2026

Thubelihle Mkwalula is in her second year of the MPACS program. She is originally from Eswatini and completed her undergraduate degree in global affairs in the United States.

Thubelihle has committed herself to engaging with everything that the MPACS program offers to grow both professionally and personally. Speaking on what drives her, she told me about a Swati proverb, “A person is because others are.” Thubelihle points to this proverb as her motivation, that even in the current difficult climate, we can always come together and serve each other as best we can.

Check out the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/ytc6yt34
Reminder! MPACS applications for next year are still open for domestic students. Available here: https://tinyurl.com/MPACSapply
Or at the link in our bio!

12/22/2025

On behalf of our faculty, students, and the entire university community, thank you for your generous support this year towards the Peace and Conflict Studies program at the University of Waterloo and Conrad Grebel University College. Your contributions have helped us expand research initiatives, provide scholarships, and foster dialogue that advances peacebuilding both on campus, here in Canada and around the world.

As the holiday season arrives, we wish you a joyful and restful break, filled with warmth, good health, and moments of peace.

We also hope you will continue to invest in the next generation of changemakers by donating to our academic program. Your ongoing partnership empowers students to develop the skills and knowledge needed to address today’s most pressing conflicts.

With deepest gratitude and warm holiday wishes.

12/19/2025

Each year in November, Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) students are invited to apply to attend the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) United Nations (UN) Student Seminar. Six students attended the seminar this year, held in the United Nations Plaza in New York City. The three-day seminar explored themes regarding the UN’s role in peacebuilding and advocacy initiatives. After the students returned home, inspired and invigorated, they expressed their takeaways from the trip.

Students heard from various speakers who made a deep impact on their understanding of global, on-the-ground peacebuilding initiatives. Speaker Leidy Aguirre is the co-founder of El Nido, a pregnancy center in Colombia devoted to supporting young mothers and families. Aguirre moved students as she explained her faith-based advocacy. “I found it really interesting to see something from such a large scale like the United Nations General Assembly to the small scale of Armenia, Colombia, which is where El Nido is located," mentioned Liliane Houde, a Master of Peace and Conflict Studies student.

Read more about their experiences in the article below.

https://uwaterloo.ca/peace-conflict-studies/news/mcc-student-seminar-reflections-peace-and-conflict-studi

Each year in November, Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) students are invited to apply to attend the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) United Nations (UN) Student Seminar

12/19/2025

Each year in November, Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) students are invited to apply to attend the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) United Nations (UN) Student Seminar. Six students attended the seminar this year, held in the United Nations Plaza in New York City. The three-day seminar explored themes regarding the UN’s role in peacebuilding and advocacy initiatives. After the students returned home, inspired and invigorated, they expressed their takeaways from the trip.

Students heard from various speakers who made a deep impact on their understanding of global, on-the-ground peacebuilding initiatives. Speaker Leidy Aguirre is the co-founder of El Nido, a pregnancy center in Colombia devoted to supporting young mothers and families. Aguirre moved students as she explained her faith-based advocacy. “I found it really interesting to see something from such a large scale like the United Nations General Assembly to the small scale of Armenia, Colombia, which is where El Nido is located,” mentioned Liliane Houde, a Master of Peace and Conflict Studies student.

Read more about their experiences by clicking on the link in our bio.

12/17/2025

In October, Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) students participated in an MPACS Internship Symposium hosted by the PACS Department. Eager to share lessons learned with fellow MPACS students, Grebel faculty and staff, Emilie, Theresa, and Quinn reflected on the highlights and challenges they faced during their internships abroad. …

Reflecting on her internship, Emilie noted that plans are often subject to change when engaged in peacebuilding work, and it is critical to adjust to change and approach obstacles with confidence. By centering reflection and learning to accept (and even embrace) what you cannot control, Emilie found her internship to be valuable in getting experience in research in the peace and conflict field.
…

Through this internship, Theresa discovered how monitoring, evaluation, and aspects like funder dynamics work in practice. She also found the significance of healing trauma through inner peace work; something she worked to integrate into her projects. In peacebuilding, Theresa believes it is important to be agile and “make things work” with few resources. She also believed in the importance of listening and collaborating with others to achieve a collective social and organizational goal.

Learn about how MPACS students brought their local classroom experiences to Zambia’s context this past summer by reading the full article in the link below.

In October, Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) students participated in an MPACS Internship Symposium hosted by the PACS Department.