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 regional climate change action plan, participants went through rounds of negotiations and tried to collectively devise an action plan. Participants were enthusiastic about the opportunity to engage in experiential learning about multilateral decision making.
Throughout the gathering, Friends expressed deep appreciation for QUNO’s presence at the UN as a sign of hope for peace and reconciliation in the global community.
*Image blurred to protect the identities of minors present.
