QUNO

On 4 March 2025, Quaker House was filled with energy by a visit from a delegation of advocates from Korean Anti-Nuclear Peace Action (KANPA). The group consisted of survivors of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and their descendants, as well as Korean and Japanese peace activists from environmental and faith-based organizations. This month, KANPA is conducting a tour of the United States raising awareness for Korean survivors of the atomic bombs, who are often left out of memorializing and reparations plans.

On 26 January 2025, the community of Cropwell Meeting in Marlton, New Jersey welcomed representatives from QUNO’s New York office to share ongoing efforts to advocate for Quaker concerns and values at the United Nations. QUNO NY Director Sarah Clarke gave a short presentation highlighting how QUNO’s approach to facilitating dialogue helps to strengthen connections between leaders, advocates for peace, and those directly impacted by conflict. 

QUNO NY Representative Kavita Desai joined a panel discussion entitled “Promise of World Peace: A Coherent Approach to Peace and Security” on February 7th. Hosted by the Bahá’í International Community (BiC) and the Permanent Mission of Portugal to the United Nations, the discussion focused on the UN General Assembly Revitalization process that makes recommendations on the functioning of the UN System, such as coordination among UN principal organs, rules of procedure, and accessibility.  

QUNO shares news that a briefing paper developed and released last year with input from the Human Impacts of Climate Change (HICC) program was recently adapted and published in the academic journal, Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development.

Last month, the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent met at the United Nations in New York for its 35th session. The December 2-6 meetings focused on the theme of reparatory justice; examining the factual and legal foundations for reparations, the frameworks for reparation claims, and the return of cultural artifacts and assets.