Acceptance vs. judgment: Which of these 5 strategies do you go to in conflicts?
February 26, 2024
The heart-wrenching true story of the trauma and stigma children experience when a parent goes to jail
March 7, 2024
We’re excited to welcome Karen Ridd as our new Transformative Justice Program Coordinator! Karen comes to CFSC’s small team with an impressive career and long list of accomplishments already.
Karen holds an MA in Peace and Justice and is a mediator, facilitator, teacher, and public speaker who began working as a practitioner in the field of conflict resolution in 1986. In the ’80s Karen worked as a human rights volunteer in war zones in Central America with Peace Brigades International. Her work there was recognized with the 1992 Governor-General’s Award: Government of Canada 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation Medal, the 1990 Canada YM/YWCA Canada Peace Medal, and the 1989 Manitoba International Human Rights Achievement Award.
Karen has worked extensively with communities in international settings, including El Salvador, Guatemala, Cambodia, Thailand, First Nations Territories, the United States, and Colombia. She is an associate of Training for Change (Philadelphia) and Mediation Services (Winnipeg).
Karen has spent many years teaching Conflict Resolution Studies and International Development Studies at Canadian Mennonite University. In 2013 Karen was awarded the international Peace and Justice Studies Association’s “Teaching Excellence Award.” In 2022 Canadian Mennonite University awarded Karen as a co-recipient of the inaugural “‘Kay and Lorne Dick Teaching Excellence Award.” She has been in demand (Dawson College Montreal, Queen’s College City University of New York, Rollins College Fla.) as a consultant on the effective use of participatory education in the University classroom.
Karen is a member of the Walls to Bridges Collective (teaching University courses inside prisons and jails), and has experience with Alternatives to Violence Program, Circles of Support and Accountability, and Prison Book Clubs. She’s a member of Gesher/Bridge/Gasr (dialogue and action on Israel and Palestine), and Peac-ing it Together (connecting social activists with conflict resolution practitioners and resources). She enjoys cycling and white water paddling.
Learn about CFSC’s transformative justice work.
