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Blogs Faculty - David Balzer

Putting an iPhone to good use

Tomorrow evening, Tuesday July 5, I’ll be hitting the road from Winnipeg to Ottawa as part of a Guinness World Record attempt at the fastest bike ride across Canada. Let’s be very clear, my role is NOT to ride the bike, that’s 54-year old Arvid Loewen’s job. My role has been and will continue to be to capture the story and get it out to the web and mainstream media outlets across the country. It’s a hands-on realtime exercise in putting some of our latest technologies to good use.

Arvid is raising awareness and funds to rescue orphaned street kids in Kenya. Pointing an iPhone at that is well worth the effort! Visit www.grandpascan.com/ride to follow the ride from July 1-13?? (yes, 6040km in 13 days on a bike) and to see what all you can produce on an iPhone that makes a real difference.

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General News News Releases

Canadian School of Peacebuilding Welcomes International Students

Diversity enriches classroom, community experience

CSOP Student Olivier Imbabazi

Since it first launched in June 2009, CMU’s Canadian School of Peacebuilding (CSOP) has welcomed a diverse group of students from across Canada and U.S., and such countries as the Philippines, Palestine, Cameroon, Rwanda, Russia, Switzerland, and Australia.

First-time CSOP student Olivier Imbabazi, founder of the Kenya-based non-profit Hope and Action for Africa (HAFA), travelled from Kenya to CMU to take the Non-Violent Action Strategies for Social Change course in June 2011.

CSOP offers a selection of five-day peacebuilding-related courses over three weeks for professional/personal development or academic credit each June. Courses are open to anyone 21 years or older.

“Our vision is to gather peacebuilders from around the world,” says Valerie Smith, CSOP co-director with Wendy Kroeker. “We want to serve existing networks and organizations working at peacebuilding. When we gather a diverse group of students, it enriches conversations and experiences in the classrooms and connections within the CSOP community.”

Imbabazi learned about the school online through his work with HAFA, which is a sponsor of the CSOP.

“Given that Africa has gone through many violent conflicts and wars, it desperately needs change through non-violent strategies to peacebuilding,” says Imbabazi of his reason for taking the course taught by George Lakey, a renowned professor, author, and peace activist. The ultimate goal of the course was to help participants become more skilled and effective in organizing non-violent actions.

For Imbabazi, who plans to attend CSOP again, this was his first time not only at CMU, but also in Canada. “My experience was wonderful—wonderful class, classmates, professors, and community,” he shares.

“Students, international or local, often talk about their time at CSOP as a significant experience that changes their lives,” says Smith. “And students who come from other countries to Canada for the first time often share about how their stereotypes of Westerners are broken.”

While CSOP welcomes students worldwide, many international students face significant barriers to attending. For example, this year, CSOP received more than 300 applications—the majority of them international—but many were unable to attend due to issues with finances and visas.

“Because international applicants often face financial challenges or are denied visas, it’s always exciting for us when someone is able to come,” says Smith. Imbabazi applied late and was waiting for visa approval the weekend before Lakey’s course started; he arrived a day late, but was still able to soak in the majority of the course.

Back home, Imbabazi will continue working with HAFA, which serves and works with refugee communities and vulnerable groups in Kenya. He plans to initiate a “Sponsor a Child” program and organize more peacebuilding training, especially in communities affected by conflicts and wars.

“We’ll focus on how changes can be made not with guns, but with non-violent actions,” he says.

For information about the 2012 Canadian School of Peacebuilding, including courses, instructors, and banquet details, visit www.cmu.ca/csop later this summer.

Canadian Mennonite University, through Menno Simons College (CMU’s campus at The University of Winnipeg) and through its south Winnipeg Shaftesbury campus, offers one of the most comprehensive undergraduate programs in peace and conflict studies in the world. Located in Manitoba, CMU has over 1,700 students at its two campuses and enrolled through its Outtatown discipleship program. CMU is a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.

Written by Carla Lowe for CMU
Photo:  CMU

For CSOP information, contact:
CSOP Co-director Valerie Smith
csop@cmu.ca; Tel. 204.487.3300 Ext. 316
Canadian School of Peacebuilding at CMU
500 Shaftesbury Blvd.
Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N2
www.cmu.ca/csop

For CMU information, contact:
Nadine Kampen, CMU Communications & Marketing Director
nkampen@cmu.ca; Tel. 204.487.3300 Ext. 621
Canadian Mennonite University
500 Shaftesbury Blvd.
Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N2
www.cmu.ca

Categories
General News

Speaker George Lakey Wraps Up CMU’s Third-Annual Canadian School of Peacebuilding

Lakey shares peacebuilding stories at final banquet

Professor, author, and peace activist George Lakey shared his knowledge, experience, and renowned storytelling with the Canadian School of Peacebuilding’s (CSOP) third and final celebration banquet on June 23 for the 2011 series of courses.

CMU’s Canadian School of Peacebuilding (CSOP) offers a selection of five-day peacebuilding courses for personal and professional development or academic credit each June, this year running June 6-24. Each week during CSOP, members of the public join with students and instructors for a lunch banquet to enjoy local food and inspiring speakers.

“This is a time to gather as a community of peacebuilders, to celebrate with great food and to be inspired by the stories of peacebuilders around the world,” says Valerie Smith, CSOP co-director with Jarem Sawatsky. “We want to create an oasis for people to be reenergized and inspired for the work ahead of them.”

For the past two years, the banquets have been built around the theme “Stories of Great Peacebuilders.” Each week, one instructor is invited to tell stories of people they see as great peacebuilders. George Lakey, instructor for the Non-Violent Action Strategies for Social Change course (June 20-24), concluded this series as this week’s banquet speaker.

“George is an excellent storyteller with a long history of studying, teaching, and living as a peacebuilder,” says Smith. “He has a wealth of experience, wisdom, and stories.”

Lakey is a visiting professor and research fellow at Swarthmore College, author of eight books on peace and social change, a known civil rights activist, a world-renowned workshop leader, and founder of the non-profit peace group Training for Change.

Aboriginal educator Stan McKay was featured as guest speaker for the June 9 banquet and Michelle LeBaron of the University of B.C. law faculty shared during the June 16 banquet.

For information about the 2012 Canadian School of Peacebuilding, including courses, instructors, and banquet details, visit www.cmu.ca/csop later this summer.

Canadian Mennonite University, through Menno Simons College (CMU’s campus at The University of Winnipeg) and through its south Winnipeg Shaftesbury campus, offers one of the most comprehensive undergraduate programs in peace and conflict studies in the world. Located in Manitoba, CMU has over 1,700 students at its two campuses and enrolled through its Outtatown discipleship program. CMU is a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.

Written by Carla Lowe for CMU
Photo:  CMU

For CSOP information, contact:
CSOP Co-director Valerie Smith
csop@cmu.ca; Tel. 204.487.3300 Ext. 316
Canadian School of Peacebuilding at CMU
500 Shaftesbury Blvd
Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N2
www.cmu.ca/csop

For CMU information, contact:

Nadine Kampen, CMU Communications & Marketing Director
nkampen@cmu.ca ; Tel. 204.487.3300 Ext. 621
Canadian Mennonite University
500 Shaftesbury Blvd.
Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N2
www.cmu.ca

Categories
General News

CMU Helps Make an Impact for 4th Annual BIKE TO WORK DAY in Winnipeg

Friday June 24 is BIKE TO WORK DAY in Winnipeg and CMU is helping out by serving as one of 20 Winnipeg Pit Stops. As well, CMU cyclists will join in with others to support Winnipeg’s efforts for a cleaner environment by commuting to work on bikes.

“The day is becoming an annual tradition in town,” says CMU Assistant Professor of Biology John Brubacher. “It’s a day to celebrate cycling as a means of transport, and to encourage us to commute on two wheels  – recognizing, of course, that many people cannot do so, for any number of excellent reasons.”

The CMU Pit Stop for cyclers passing through the neighbourhood will be located in front of CMU’s Founders’ Hall at the Shaftesbury North Campus (north of Grant, on the west side of Shaftesbury).

We’ll have coffee, tea, and water available. And smiles. Big smiles. Just to be clear though,” Brubacher notes, “there are many other Pit Stops in town, all offering the refreshments and encouragement.  Cyclists can make any of them their connection point on their way to work.”

“This year is a year to celebrate both the advances in our city’s infrastructure and our event plans,” notes Event Coordinator Andrea Sartison.  She recommends that people take a moment to learn more at www.biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org

RIDE TO WORK DAY – JUNE 24, 2011
Schedule provided by event organizers:

6:30 – 9:00am
Locate a pit stop using the online map. Stop along your commute and receive free snacks and coffee (available on a first come, first serve basis) along with other swag and t-shirts. Find a buddy and share the ride to work! Instead of a pancake breakfast this year, organizers are hosting a BBQ supper.

4:00 – 7:00pm
Manitoba Lotteries BBQ at the Forks. Stop by on your way home for free music and a great party!
Free food for the first 300.


For CMU information, contact:
Nadine Kampen, CMU Communications & Marketing Director
nkampen@cmu.ca ; 204.487.3300 Ext. 621
Canadian Mennonite University
500 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg, MB  R3P 2N2

Categories
General News

Ongoing Conversation Seeks to Tear Down Walls, Build Relationships

A joint Canadian Mennonite University– Mennonite Central Committee release – Written by Gladys Terichow of MCC Canada

Photo by Gladys Terichow – Iranian scholars Ali Mesbah, Aboulhassan Haghani, and Mohammad Motahari Farimani at the academic conference in Winnipeg which brought together Shi’a Muslim scholars from Iran and Mennonite scholars from Canada and the U.S. to discuss theological issues.

A 10-year-old interfaith dialogue between Mennonite and Muslim scholars held in Canada and Iran over the yearscontinued here in early June.

The dialogue, hosted by Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) and Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), was the fifth of its kind and brought together Shi’a Muslim scholars from the Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute (IKERI) in Qom, Iran and Mennonite scholars from Canada and the U.S.

These dialogues provide a safe place for academics and theologians to speak frankly about their beliefs without ignoring important differences, said David Shenk, a global consultant with Eastern Mennonite Missions, Salunga, Pa, who has participated in all of the conferences.

The primary goal, he said, is fostering dialogue and improving understanding, not finding consensus or agreement.  “Islam is Islam and the gospel is the gospel, they are not the same,” he said.  “The goal is to understand each other’s faith and to bear witness to our own faith.”

These academic conferences build on MCC’s work in Iran which began with relief efforts following the massive earthquake in the early 1990s. This was followed by peace-building programs, such as a student exchange program and learning tours.

At the Winnipeg conference, seven scholars from Iran and seven scholars from Canada and the U.S. explored issues surrounding the theme of Human Nature and Destiny: Explorations into Theological Anthropology.

“In a global context, these dialogues are significant because it is very unusual for Muslim and Christian scholars to meet together like this in a collegial way,” said Shenk.  “What makes these dialogues even more significant is that they have been happening for almost 10 years and there is interest for these conversations to continue.”

A conference like this is in keeping with CMU’s mission statement which includes a commitment to peace and justice, generous hospitality and radical dialogue, said CMU president Gerald Gerbrandt during the opening ceremony.

Mohammad Ali Shomali, head of the IKERI religious department, said he appreciates these conferences because both Mennonite and Shia scholars “take their faith seriously” and are deeply committed to putting their faith into action.

He is hopeful that the mutual friendships and trust that has developed over the years between participants will lead to a sense of cooperation between faith communities.

“I personally believe that dialogue begins with tolerance and then goes on to respect and understanding,” he said. “The more I understand you, the more I respect you. This should lead to cooperation. I believe there is no limit to dialogue and when it comes to cooperation, it is the same.”

Shomali said it is too early to envisage how Christians and Muslims can work together but he added: “We can do a lot, if we do it together. My dream is to have a joint Muslim and Christian organization that works for peace and justice. We would work together, shoulder to shoulder, to establish peace and justice all over the world. This could happen as a result of these conversations.  It is not impossible.”

Participation in the conference was limited to the scholars presenting papers and a number of invited academics and observers. The observers included nine female students from Iran who also participated in a special course arranged by CMU.

Maryam Esmaeili teaches history of Islam and the interpretation of the Quran at the al-Zahra University, an Islamic university for women in Qom that has 15,000 full-time and correspondence students.

She believes interfaith conversations and interactions can improve relationships between Muslims and Christians.

“If I don’t speak with you, my judgment about you might be wrong,” she said. “When we sit around the table and talk, my judgment about you is correct because I understand you and you understand me.”

Robin Penner Thiessen, a CMU student and observer at the conference, described the conference as kingdom living. “We are building relationships and breaking down walls,” she said. “Apart from everything else that is being accomplished, there is the willingness to be in relationship.”

Trevor Bechtel, an instructor of contemporary theology in Bluffton College, believes one of the long-term contributions of the interfaith dialogue will be the collection of academic papers that are being presented on Mennonite-Anabaptist theology.

The papers, he said, represent the careful thinking, arguments and analysis that are reminiscent of the writings of early leaders in Anabaptist church history.

“We understand ourselves better when we engage in dialogue like this,” he said. “This dialogue with Muslims has pushed us to examine what we believe and to write it down.”

Categories
General News

Menno Simons College Celebrates Accomplishments of 66 CRS and IDS Graduates

On June 9, 2011, Menno Simons College celebrated the achievements of 66 Class of 2011winter and spring graduates in Conflict Resolution Studies (CRS) and International Development Studies (IDS). The Menno Simons College (MSC) celebration was held in UWinnipeg’s Convocation Hall, following the morning convocation services.

MSC 2011 graduate Jared Wheeler, BA 3-Yr, CRS/IDS Double Major, and Dr. Ray Vander Zaag, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of International Development Studies

Menno Simons College is the downtown campus of Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) and is located at and affiliated with The University of Winnipeg.

“We gather to acknowledge years of hard work, laughter, and friendship at this celebration of light and hope,” says Dean of Menno Simons College Dr. Richard McCutcheon. “We are proud of our graduates and we want to welcome them into our Menno Simons College alumni group. We look forward to following their careers in peace and justice work, international development, and conflict resolution.”

In the tradition of MSC past graduations, students and families shared a luncheon meal followed by a graduation program. Among the year’s graduates were seven MSC students with majors in CRS or IDS who in total earned nine medals at UWinnipeg’s morning convocation.

The MSC program opened with a heartfelt invocation by Dr. John Derksen, Associate Professor, Conflict Resolution Studies, and opening remarks by CMU President Gerald Gerbrandt, who expressed his confidence in the Class of 2011 having “a passion for issues of justice and mercy, and skills to make a difference in the world.”

Guest speaker Lois Coleman Neufeld, Executive Director, Mediation Services, remarked, “I believe you have learned the basics of leadership through your courses, and have the skills of leaders.” She highlighted having a profound respect “for the other” as being of great importance, along with the qualities of passion and compassion. “Take the best of what you have learned and use it for others,” she advised the graduates.

Sharing student reflections were graduates (Roberta) Bobbie Whiteman, 4-yr. IDS and Human Rights graduate, and medal winner Zoë Gross, 4-yr. CRS graduate, majoring in Women’s Studies.
Whiteman expressed her appreciation for MSC tuition and travel awards that helped the single mom complete her education. Gross commented, “What is special about MSC is that even if you don’t enter with a concern for conflict resolution and justice, you leave with passion and hope for a (better) world.”

Academic Advisor Gina Loewen, Associate VP Ruth Taronno, and Dean McCutcheon. presented the 2011 Graduating Class.

Graduate Jared Wheeler (3-Yr., CRS/IDS Double Major) originally expected to take one course at MSC as an option. Says Wheeler: “I was hooked on the program right from the introductory course. MSC offered such a welcoming environment. And happily, that first course led me on to International Development Studies. It opened to me the thinking that we could change the world. It is possible.”

In addition to MSC’s graduation class of 66 students, CMU earlier this spring graduated 78 students at its southwest Winnipeg Shaftesbury campus, for a total of 114 graduates. An additional 64 Outtatown students completed international programs, returning from sites in South Africa and Guatemala.

Menno Simons College is one of the world’s largest centres for peace and justice studies. The College provides education flowing from Anabaptist Mennonite understandings of faith, peace, and justice while engaging other religious traditions and intellectual perspectives. MSC fosters a learning community that prepares students from diverse backgrounds for participation and leadership in local and global communities. Considered a pioneer in International Development Studies and Conflict Resolution Studies, MSC offers a wide range of courses and experienced faculty in these areas, along with practicum opportunities and supporting scholarships.

Canadian Mennonite University offers undergraduate degree programs and two graduate degree programs. CMU has over 1,700 students at its Shaftesbury campus, downtown MSC campus, and in its Outtatown international program. A member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) , CMU operates a number of schools and institutes, including the Canadian School of Peacebuilding.

For MSC information, contact:
Ruth Taronno: r.taronno@uwinnipeg.ca ; tel. 204.953.3846
http://mscollege.ca

For information on MSC award-winning students, contact:
Gina Loewen, Academic Advisor: g.loewen@uwnninipeg.ca
Menno Simons College Tel. 204.953.3848

For CMU information, contact:
Nadine Kampen, CMU Communications & Marketing Director
nkampen@cmu.ca ; 204.487.3300 Ext. 621

Categories
Blogs Faculty - David Balzer

Vancouver melee about more than hockey

A Biblical Studies colleague here at CMU sent me this link today from the Winnipeg Free Press: Vancouver melee brings out a dark, disturbing side of social media

As we move into an increasingly wired and online reality, this article creates a helpful pause for reflection. When people ask me about the value of the latest technology, I often ask how we will steward its capacity. Do we become more fully human and alive? Thanks Sheila, for sending the link.

Categories
Blogs Faculty - David Balzer

Canadian Mennonite magazine looking for Young Voices

I got an email from Emily Loewen, Canadian Mennonite Young Voices Editor last week inviting CMU students to join their team of journalistic storytellers. Here’s what Emily sent. A great opportunity!

“If you’re interested in journalism, photography, multimedia or just have some great story ideas, Canadian Mennonite’s Young Voices wants to hear from you. We are looking for journalists interested in contributing to the new young adults section of the magazine and website, covering events, ideas and people of interest to young mennonites. For more information or to pitch an idea send an email to Emily Loewen eloewen@canadianmennonite.org

Categories
Blogs Faculty - David Balzer

Video – coffee with recent grad Mike Duerksen at Siloam Mission

Mid-afternoon I caught up with Mike Duerksen, Communications and Media grad (3-yr BA 2010), who is about 10 months into his position as Communications Coordinator for an incredible organization – Siloam Mission.

Here’s a bit of what it means to him.

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/24637234[/vimeo]

Categories
General News

CMU Breaks New Ground with On-Campus Community Farm

Urban Farm Collective Launches First Season of Two-year Plan

Spring 2011 marks the first season of CMU’s new on-campus Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) Farm, a two-year collaborative urban farm project of the university and the CMU Farmers’ Collective.

“The farm is a place of learning in which emerging farmers can practice the craft of land stewardship while growing healthy, local food for sharers,” says Kenton Lobe, CMU International Development Studies (IDS) instructor and Farmers’ Collective member. “I am ecstatic with the level of commitment from the farmers working on the project.”

This project is the realization of a dream of Lobe and alumni DeLayne Toews and Megan Klassen-Wiebe, who are members of CMU Farmers’ Collective and who, over several recent summers, worked on several small-scale farms in Manitoba and the East Coast and imagined what an urban, campus farm might look like at CMU, bringing the idea to fruition.  Other members of the Collective committed to farming this season are alumni Karin Coleman Neufeld, Kurt Lemky, Corinne Klassen, and MSC practicum student Jeanette Sivilay.

“The farm provides a real place in which to engage the issues of food security, land stewardship, and project development—all areas that I teach,” Lobe says. “Having a place to experiment and imagine what the work looks like provides a rich context for learning by doing that really supports the academic curriculum of the university.”

For this season, the CMU Farmers’ Collective is selling 25 shares at $450 each, providing each sharer with a weekly box of fresh, seasonal vegetables starting mid-June for a projected 12-week timeframe. The farm is also growing a plot of corn to sell at a corn roast to support the work of Mennonite Central Committee, and will host a fall harvest celebration. Next year’s work will involve clarifying linkages with university courses.

“The CMU Farm holds the potential to link the issues of global hunger with local and small-scale agriculture and to help us explore how the food we eat opens us to God’s creation and connects us with others,” says Lobe.

To read the Winnipeg Free Press July 30, 2011 article on the CMU community garden, click here.

Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) is a Christian university in the Anabaptist tradition, offering undergraduate degrees in arts and science, and such disciplines as business and organizational administration, communications and media, peace and conflict resolution studies, music and music therapy, theology, and church ministries, as well as graduate degrees in Theological Studies and Christian ministry. CMU is a Member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). Located in Manitoba, CMU has over 1,700 students at its Shaftesbury Campus in Southwest Winnipeg, at Menno Simons College in downtown Winnipeg, and enrolled through Outtatown.

For more information or to reserve your share, contact:
The CMU Farmers’ Collective, cmufarm@gmail.com

For CMU information, contact:
Nadine Kampen, Communications and Marketing Director
nkampen@cmu.ca
Tel. 204.487.3300, Toll free 877.231.4570
Canadian Mennonite University, 500 Shaftesbury Blvd.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3P 2N2