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Over the last week of September, world leaders gathered in New York for the opening of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Amid the ongoing genocide being perpetrated by Israel in Gaza, several countries used the United Nations as a platform to officially recognize the State of Palestine. Additionally, nearly 150 nations participated in a High-Level UN conference focused on ending the war in Gaza and achieving a two-state solution, and dozens of leaders used their speeches to the General Assembly to call for the return of hostages, access for humanitarian aid, and respect for international law. These recognitions constitute significant symbolic and diplomatic moves towards the actualization of a fully independent Palestinian state. Furthermore, despite criticisms of the institution’s continued effectiveness, nations’ choices to make these recognitions and calls to action at the UN demonstrate the continued desire of the international community for the UN to play a leading role in global peacebuilding and in achieving lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis. However, efforts to stop the ongoing genocide will require commitment from the international community beyond recognition. Between 21 and 22 September, ten new nations joined approximately 81% of the world’s nations in recognizing Palestinian […]

With the arrival of the fall season, the 2024-2025 cohort of Programme Assistants at QUNO’s offices in both New York and Geneva prepared for their departure. Chelsea Comas and Ailih Weeldreyer wrapped up their tenure at QUNO NY, and Johan Cavert and Kaya Van der Horst finished their terms at QUNO’s Geneva office. All four of these bright young professionals contributed greatly to our work over the past year and demonstrated their capacities to learn and grow from their experiences. Thanks to them, the QUNO team has been able to meet the challenges of yet another trying year in international issues. We thank them sincerely for their work and wish them the best on what lies ahead!  In reflecting on their terms at QUNO, the departing Programme Assistants shared some parting thoughts:   “QUNO’s deep commitment to diplomacy, multilateralism, and peacemaking will serve as guiding light for me as I begin law school at Columbia University and continue to advocate for the recognition of environmental human rights that recognize the dignity and humanity of every person on our planet.” – Johan Cavert  “My year at QUNO has been full of learning opportunities that helped me grow both professionally and personally. It was […]

On 12 August, QUNO NY, in collaboration with Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), hosted a virtual event titled “Discerning the Path Forward – Quaker Engagement in the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent”. The event gathered Friends across the global Quaker family to reflect, worship, and discern how QUNO and Quakers are called to engage with the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD).    The United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD), established in 2021, is a consultative platform to advance the rights and inclusion of people of African descent worldwide. Its mandate includes advising the UN system, promoting justice and equality, and monitoring the implementation of the renewed International Decade for People of African Descent (the second decade will cover 2025–2034). The PFPAD will meet annually and rotate between convening at the UN Headquarters in New York and Geneva – both locations where the Quaker UN Office (QUNO) has a presence and can actively engage.   The virtual gathering provided a spiritual and strategic grounding space for Friends and partners to learn about QUNO NY’s participation in the 2025 session of the PFPAD and to contribute to the development of this […]

Every July, the international community gathers at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for a two-week conference called the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), which assesses progress on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2025 HLPF convened from 14-23 July and marked the tenth anniversary of the SDGs since their adoption in 2015. QUNO NY joined the Accountability Lab, CIVICUS, the Ford Foundation, Forus, and the Transparency, Accountability & Participation (TAP) Network to co-host “SDGs and Civic Space Under Threat: An Interactive Dialogue on Existential Challenges to Civil Society and Strengthening Resilience”.    The side event included panelist presentations followed by small group discussions. Participants took stock of the current challenges and opportunities for civil society and collectively strategized on approaches for countering current threats to civil society and anti-democratic trends.  As noted in UN reports, progress towards the SDGs has stagnated, and there has been significant backsliding on many fronts. In further challenges to progress, civil society worldwide confronts a convergence of compounding and existential threats. The closing of civic space and the rise in anti-democratic trends are working to stifle civic participation, eroding democratic institutions, impeding inclusive governance, and weakening global development efforts on all […]

The Quaker UN Office (QUNO) Geneva is delighted to announce that after a thorough international recruitment process, we have appointed Laurel Townhead as Director. Laurel brings long and deep experience of working with the United Nations and with QUNO, having joined QUNO in 2014 as our Human Rights and Refugees Representative. She has combined this with being Interim Director for the last year, making an excellent start on strengthening QUNO to engage with a UN system in crisis. Prior to working with QUNO, Laurel was Policy and Campaigns Manager for Women in Prison. Her first degree was in Law and Politics from the University of Manchester, followed by a Master’s degree in International Human Rights Law at the University of Essex. Laurel’s appointment to the permanent post is effective from 1 September 2025. Helen Drewery & Saskia KuhlmanCo-Clerks, Quaker United Nations Committee (Geneva) Tim Gee, General Secretary of Friends World Committee for Consultation, said: I can think of no one better suited for the role. I am certain that Laurel’s unique skills and experience will guide the organization through the challenging multilateral landscape, while upholding the true witness of the global Quaker community. Paul Parker, Recording Clerk for Quakers in […]

At the end of July, QUNO Programme Assistant Ailih Weeldreyer attended New York Yearly Meeting’s summer sessions. The meeting was held under the theme “Dare to Hope, Dare to Heal, Dare to Witness.” This focus encouraged Friends to reflect on messages of renewal and action to uplift voices silenced by historical and ongoing injustice. Friends in the New York region demonstrated the ways they are living these messages through partnerships in their communities and around the world.   Ailih shared the work of QUNO with Friends at the Yearly Meeting, which wove in with conversations on hope, healing, and witness that unfold throughout the week. Ailih spoke with middle school, high school, and adult Friends through interest groups about QUNO’s efforts to encourage collaboration amongst stakeholders at the UN and uplift the voices of those affected by conflict. Friends expressed appreciation for QUNO’s quiet, behind-the-scenes approach, which offers peaceful moments for members of the UN community in the midst of a troubling world.   Ailih also led Peace Games for Friends as an intergenerational activity, where high schoolers and adults experienced the challenge of making collaborative decisions on complex international issues. In a fictionalized scenario, involving the creation of a […]