Coloured blocks and blocky colours: The Musagetes Architecture Library in Cambridge had Lego bricks and Nintendo's brick-like Entertainment System on display last week as part of an 80s Week observance.

For some of us, however, every week is 80s week.

Photograph courtesy of the Musagetes Architecture Library.

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Grebel hosts Sudanese peace seminars

by Fred Martin. This piece was originally published on the Conrad Grebel University College news page.

In December of 2013, South Sudan fell into debilitating internal violence. This also affected the South Sudanese community in Kitchener-Waterloo. Leaders in the community identified the need for local conflict mediation training.

This fall, the newly created MSCU Centre for Peace Advancement at Conrad Grebel University College responded to this call from the KW South Sudanese Community and its Peacebuilding Taskforce by coordinating a six-week conflict management course.

Twenty-five participants were drawn from various ethnic and tribal groups, young and old, women and men. Rudi Oballo'ker Okot, a recent Peace and Conflict Studies grad, helped to coordinate a participant survey that was very positive. One member wrote: “This is a wonderful workshop. It encourages and allows critical thinking in a safe environment which ultimately encourages peace.”

Mediator Keith Regehr, a graduate of Grebel’s Master of Theological Studies and of the Conflict Management Certificate program, led the seminars with assistance from Noe Gonzalia, a Mennonite pastor originally from Colombia, who completed a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies last year at Grebel. The seminars were administered by Sue Baker who manages the Conflict Management Certificate program at Grebel. Funding was provided by First Mennonite Church in Kitchener, Mennonite Central Committee Ontario, and the MSCU Centre for Peace Advancement. Project Ploughshares, another CPA participant, brought together the partners in this venture, and Reina Neufeldt from the PACS faculty assisted in the planning process.

Nyrini Pal was a participant. She has lived in Canada for a number of years and is a graduate from Rockway Mennonite Collegiate. She observed that “while folks were sharing their opinions on the cause of the conflict, many trainees began to realize that although everyone was responsible for a solution, not everyone had the same idea on solutions. This caused tensions within the class; however, it was the kind of tension that demanded a patient ear and selective tongues which many of us soon learned. This gave us an idea on how difficult it must be for the mediators who are involved back home.”

There is clear energy for ongoing work. There are plans for further training, discussion forums, and multi-cultural events with the KW South Sudanese community.

“This training squarely fits within two of the three major goals of the CPA – training and community outreach," noted Paul Heidebrecht, the CPA Director. The third major goal of the CPA involves research.

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Hamdullahpur named CAE Fellow

The Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE) named Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

His citation reads as follows: "As a practicing professional engineer, educator, researcher and administrator, Feridun Hamdullahpur has educated and advised many engineers, professional civil servants, senior political office holders and United Nations officials. His decades of academic and professional contributions to the field of engineering have resulted in training of highly qualified personnel and to establishing more effective public policy to enhance the quality of life and health of many in Canada and around the world. As president of the University of Waterloo, Dr. Hamdullahpur has enabled the University of Waterloo to be ranked among the Top 50 in the world for Engineering and Technology for the last two years, helping to position Canada as a global leader in the field of engineering."

Established in 1987, the CAE is a national institution through which Canada's most distinguished and experienced engineers provide strategic advice on matters of critical importance to Canada. Members of the CAE are nominated and elected by their peers to honorary Fellowships, in view of their distinguished achievements and career-long service to the engineering profession.

Hamdullahpur was one of 49 new Fellows and two Honorary Fellows inducted earlier this year.

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Tax workshop and other notes

Human Resources is has coordinated a tax workshop to be run by Chartered Financial Consultant Lee Piruchta entitled "Preparing Your Taxes and Finances for the Upcoming Financial Year" that will be held on Thursday, December 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in DC 1304.

"The workshop is designed to help prepare you for the upcoming tax season," says a note from HR. "This would be especially helpful to those who have come to Canada mid-year and have income from another country." Refreshments and lunch will be served.

Please RSVP via email to Jessica Chang to reserve a seat.

The Science Undergrad Office in ESC 253 will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. today.

"We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause," says the notice from Science. "Check the Science current undergraduate students page for our regular hours."

In addition, the various departments that make up University Relations will be closed today from noon to 2:00 p.m. for a holiday luncheon.

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