Project Ploughshares to return to Conrad Grebel

More than a decade after leaving the nest, Project Ploughshares, the ecumenical peace advocacy and disarmament organization, will be returning to its place of birth in the spring of 2014.

Established at Conrad Grebel University College in 1976, Project Ploughshares moved to the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) in 2002.

Its return to campus was prompted by the establishment of the Mennonite Savings and Credit Union (MSCU) Centre for Peace Advancement on the fourth floor of Grebel's current building project. Project Ploughshares will become an anchor partner of the MSCU CPA, which will also provide a new home for Grebel graduate students, peace organization start-ups, artists, musicians, and visiting scholars.

The NGO's governing committee has also committed to contributing $35,000 to Grebel's Next Chapter fundraising campaign.

"This gift to Grebel is a symbol of our partnership and will be recognized by naming the meeting room in the MSCU Centre for Peace Advancement for Ernie and Nancy Regehr, who played such a key role in the establishment and growth of Project Ploughshares," said John Siebert, executive director of the NGO.

Project Ploughshares has established a world-wide reputation for providing evidence-based research and practical policy recommendations to advance the causes of peace and disarmament. It is an operating agency of the 25-member Canadian Council of Churches. It takes its name from the Book of Isaiah 2:4 - "they will beat their swords into ploughshares."

In welcoming Project Ploughshares' return, Conrad Grebel President Susan Schultz Huxman says that she looks forward to deepening the collaboration that already exists between the NGO and Grebel's programs, including the Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) program.

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Students cheer Waterloo-Israel experience

Students in the International Trade Specialization and Management Studies in the Arts and Business program have made the second of five scheduled trips to Israel as part of the Waterloo-Israel International Trade Experience.

The students are enrolled in a seminar led by Geoff Malleck, the director of both the International Trade Specialization and Management Studies, who joined the students on their journey.

In April, students visited the Israeli consulate, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) and a dinner with alumni who had participated in the specialization, with a visit to the sponsoring Schwarz and Reisman Foundation rounding out the preparations for the trip.

“The trip is transformational in that it opened the minds of the students," said Malleck. "The striking contrasts that define Canada and Israel are clear but so is the untapped opportunity to build a stronger trade relationship with this exceptionally innovative country."

According to Malleck, the trip is organized around three key themes. First, an understanding of the region's rich heritage, with visits to Jerusalem, Jaffa, Akko, the Dead Sea, and the Masada. Second, an appreciation of the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship embedded across the country, reinforced by a visit to Technion University. Third, an exploration of the factors that shape the national psyche, including the requirement for most Israeli youth to serve in the military, the influence of neighbouring states, and the integration of state and religion. Students were able to gain insights by staying at a kibbutz, visiting Heseg House, and Hebrew University.

"When I learned that ITS students would be going on a trip to Israel, I was excited - and slightly nervous," says student Shobana Sukumaran (above, third from the left). "I had heard of different perspectives on Israel and did not know what to expect. However, from day one, I loved this country. From its beaches and city life in Tel Aviv, to the deserts in Masada, touring in Israel guaranteed me a different adventure every day."

"Israel, your land is beautiful and your people are inspiring," writes student Christina Park (above, fourth from the right). "I had the time of my life travelling from beach to mountain and to sea, and was humbled to meet the kind and passionate people of your nation. It was an unforgettable experience and it wouldn't have been so if it weren't for the awesome group of people I went with. We bonded so quickly and have way too many stories and inside jokes."

"Not only did I enjoy immersing myself in its rich culture, I was exposed to its corporate side too - which I quickly realized was different from Canada," continues Sukumaran. "I was impressed by the way Israelis got business done in a casual but efficient manner. This is a nation that is known for its start-ups and visiting one only enhanced my knowledge on this trip. I thoroughly enjoyed going to Given Imaging, a medical technology company, and learning how this company started and how innovation brought the company to where it is today. Overall, I learned a lot from both my professional and personal experiences in Israel, and I hope to visit again one day!"

Support for the Waterloo-Israel International Trade Experience Program generously provided by The Gerald Schwartz and Heather Reisman Foundation.

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Coming Out Week and other notes

"The Federation of Students’ Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity is hosting Coming Out Week from October 7 to 11," writes the federation's Jacqueline Martinz. "Each day, there will be events for the University community to attend and learn about queer identified people, and National Coming Out Day." The full schedule for the event is available online.

Municipal and business leaders, thinkers and city builders from across North America will gather in Waterloo Region this week for the CityAge Innovation City conference on October 9 and 10.

The two-day conference will take place in the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and will feature remarks by Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran, Seshadri Subbanna, Director of Innovation and Technology at IBM, Simon O’Byrne, Vice-President, Urban Planning at Stantec, Pierre Meulien, President and CEO of Genome Canada, and Tom Jenkins, Chairman of OpenText.

Feridun Hamdullahpur will also be giving remarks and chairing a panel discussion entitled “The Innovation City: A look at the partnerships and trends re-shaping cities in the innovation economy” that includes Alan Shepard, president of Concordia University, Steve Woods, Director of Engineering at Google Canada, Heather Sinclair, CEO of the Creative Enterprise Initiative, and Chris Lumb, CEO of TEC Edmonton.

Program details are available online.

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