The Canadian Association for Peace and Conflict Studies, a new group of academic, students, and conflict resolution practitioners has been formed.

Dr. Timothy Donais of Wilfrid Laurier University is serving as interim coordinator of the new association.

"There has never really been a single hand Canadian association that brings together not only scholars but also practitioners to speak with one voice, to share common concerns and create a venue where these sorts of issues in a Canadian context and internationally could be developed and pursued," explained Donais. "We thought this was an opportunity to come together and see what we could do to put together an association."

The start of the organization can be traced back to meetings held over the past year, with the latest hosted at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg in June.

"We're trying to build the association as a formal entity and then really try to create a platform in which Canadian scholars and students can really come together to talk about some of the general issues," said Donais.  "The other thing we are interested in particular is trying to build bridges between the academic community, the scholarly study of peace and conflict issues and the practitioner community."

Donais noted the conflict in the middle east and peace and reconciliation among indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians are a few topics the association has taken an interest in.

Meanwhile, the Wilfrid Laurier Professor shared why a Canadian association like this is needed.

The association plans to host its first official meeting some time in September, and aims to build the organization over its first year.