Newsroom

We are delighted to welcome two new colleagues to QUNO Geneva, strengthening our work across human rights, peace, and disarmament.

Lucy Richardson joined QUNO as Human Rights and Refugees Representative in January 2026, working to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights for all through the United Nations system.
Prior to joining QUNO, Lucy’s career spans 20 years of experience in international law and human rights. Most recently, she taught a course at the Geneva Graduate Institute on negotiating human rights and worked as a consultant on a project addressing human rights impacts of the arms trade. She has also held several legal and political roles in the New Zealand public service, including twice serving as a diplomat in Geneva, and as senior legal counsel for a national commission of inquiry into alleged violations of international humanitarian and international human rights law during armed conflict.

Lucy shares the Quaker passion for human rights as a tool of social justice. She is a dual national of Aotearoa New Zealand and France and holds undergraduate degrees in law and in political studies, a master’s degree and PhD in international law.

Yvette Issar began her role as Peace and Disarmament Programme Representative in February 2026. An international humanitarian lawyer, Yvette has worked with the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as civil society and academic institutions in Geneva. In 2025, she served QUNO as a consultant, supporting efforts to advance accountability for the human rights impacts of arms transfers, with a particular focus on bridging business, human rights, and arms control frameworks.

Yvette is from Kenya and India and is guided in her work and life by Quaker principles and the teachings of engaged Buddhism. She holds an undergraduate degree from Earlham College, and earned her master’s degree and PhD in international law in Geneva. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in counselling psychology.

QUNO’s Peace and Disarmament Programme was where I began my professional career in 2007, as a Programme Assistant. That year was extremely meaningful and it shaped my professional and personal life. I feel incredibly grateful to be returning to the Peace and Disarmament Programme, and sharing Friends’ concerns for peace and justice at the international level, particularly in these challenging times.

Yvette Issar

We are very pleased to welcome Lucy and Yvette to the team and look forward to the depth of experience, insight, and care they bring to QUNO’s work.

I am so pleased to welcome Yvette and Lucy, their experience, skills and commitment are just what QUNO needs at this time to further strengthen our team. The renewed energy and new perspectives they each bring will help us face the challenges ahead with hope and dedication. I look forward to seeing how their programmes evolve and to working with them and the whole team as we bring our emphasis on human connection to a period of polarization.

Laurel Townhead, QUNO Geneva Director