Edmund Pries
Areas of Expertise
- Disarmament and International Humanitarian Law
- Peace and Conflict Studies
- Philosophy (Existentialism, Logic, Political)
- Religion
Biography
I was born into a global refugee family: my parents were born in Ukraine/USSR, I was born in Paraguay, and my 6 siblings were born in Winnipeg, Man., where I grew up. This taught me that education, like other matters of the heart and the head, is of great value and among the most transportable “assets” available.
My studies include a BTh (Theology, CMBC 1979); BA (History, Winnipeg 1980); MDiv (AMBS 1984); MA (History, Waterloo 1988); and PhD (History, Waterloo 1995).
Education is also transferrable: I have worked in various jobs and careers throughout my life – including as a minister, a business entrepreneur (also as a social entrepreneur) and a university professor. The ability to think critically and creatively - and to learn - is of paramount importance. I have also served as chair of a university college board and as development consultant for a new university in Brantford (the future Laurier Brantford).
In 2015 I walked the Camino de Santiago de Compostela - from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago, Spain, and from there to Finisterre on the Atlantic coast. I learned again that life is a pilgrimage of learning and I invite students to join me on that quest.
My current research is focused on religion and peace/conflict and on the historical practice of, and social contracts derived from, citizenship oaths and military loyalty oaths. I also study about and write on pedagogy — especially peace pedagogy, experiential learning and Reflective Practice Writing.
Languages
- English
- German
- Low German