For 50 years, Project Ploughshares has been advancing sustainable global peace through research, advocacy, and action.
Countless people have given their time, energy, and funds to make our work possible over the last half century. We invite you to join us in celebrating the achievements we have reached and the people who have made - and continue to make - it all possible.
50th Anniversary Gala
Monday, September 21, 2026
6:00 - 9:30 pm
Federation Hall, University of Waterloo
200 University Ave W., Waterloo, ON
Please join us to celebrate 50 years of Project Ploughshares, peacebuilding, and the people who have made - and continue to make - it all possible.
Featuring dinner and a keynote from the honourable Lloyd Axworthy, this fundraiser will support the continuation of our important work for global peace, needed now more than ever.
Our Sponsors
Kindred Credit Union
Mennonite Central Committee
Conrad Grebel University College
Eby Financial
Tim and Jacqui Schmucker
"50 Years of Turning Swords Into Ploughshares" - Grebel Gallery Exhibit
June 23 - September 30, 2026
9am - 5pm
Monday - Friday
Grebel Gallery, Conrad Grebel University College
140 Westmount Road N., Waterloo, ON
A collection of archival items, posters, and art that has been specially curated to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Project Ploughshares.
"50 Years of Turning Swords Into Ploughshares" offers glimpses into the people and partners, as well as the research and campaigns that have made key contributions to peace and disarmament efforts in Canada and around the world.
Our Story
While working for the Mennonite Central Committee in Southern Africa in the early 1970s, Ernie Regehr watched first-hand as newly independent countries prioritized building modern armed forces over - and often at the cost of - the economic and social development of their citizens.
Ernie understood that the long-term viability of those states would depend on their capacity to provide for the human security of their citizens: education, healthcare, and the economic wherewithal to meet daily needs of food and shelter.
Military spending drained cash, while military security obsessions drained energy and confidence from the development enterprise.
"Tanks and jet fighters were not going to deliver human security; in fact they were an obvious impediment to reaching such goals." - Ernie Regehr
After returning to Canada, Ernie pitched the idea of researching and writing on the theme of militarism and underdevelopment; particularly the role of the international arms trade as an impediment to social and economic development in the glocal south.
Murray Thomson, then Executive Director of Cuso International (formerly known as CUSO, Canadian University Service Overseas), responded with feedback and seed money and in 1976, Project Ploughshares was born as a 6-month project.
In 1977, Project Ploughshares became a project of The Canadian Council of Churches. The ecumenical community was active in a broad range of peace and justice issues and offered an organizing model and an institutional home for the project.
Conrad Grebel University College offered office space in addition to an affiliation with its emerging Peace and Conflict Studies program.
These relationships with The Canadian Council of Churchs and Conrad Grebel University College continue to this day.