New York

September 2023

Saying Hello and Goodbye – QUNO NY Staff Comings and Goings

September is an extra busy time at QUNO as we greet new Programme Assistants. In New York, this role is filled by two candidates every year and the position makes a crucial contribution to the running of our office and our engagement at the UN. This year, we are delighted to welcome Natalie Dewar and Nyeri Otero Flanagan to join our team.

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September 2023

Introducing Leaders of Tomorrow to the UN

Students from Delaware Valley Friends School started the school year off with an exciting visit to New York City, where they learned about the UN and Quaker work at the UN. The delegation of 8 high school students was among hundreds of young people invited to take part in this year's observance of the UN’s International Day of Peace. “It was truly inspiring to learn about the work that other kids our age are doing around the world,” said Lauren (grade 10) reflecting on a full morning of workshops and presentations at the UN Headquarters. 

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August 2023

Torchbearers for the SDGs: Empowering Youth for Meaningful Progress

QUNO NY Programme Assistant, Sadhbh O’Driscoll, delivered a statement on behalf of the Friends World Committee for Consultation during the ‘Torchbearers for the SDGs’ youth consultation on August 11, International Youth Day. The consultation was hosted by the United Nations Envoy on Youth and the Major Group for Children and Youth. The theme of the consultation was Meaningful Youth Engagement and the 2030 Agenda.

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August 2023

QUNO NY hosts Knowledge Cafe creating connections among youth movements

On August 9, QUNO New York Programme Assistant, Sadhbh O’Driscoll, moderated a virtual discussion with youth activists from all around the world. QUNO is a member of The Global Coalition on Youth, Peace, and Security where the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has a ‘Knowledge Café' initiative to create spaces for young people to come together.

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July 2023

UN launches New Agenda for Peace: QUNO hosts briefing

On the morning of July 27, the Civil Society-UN Prevention Platform, co-hosted by QUNO and the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), convened civil society representatives to meet with UN officials at Quaker House in New York.  During the lively discussion, guests exchanged reactions and feedback following the publication of the Secretary General’s New Agenda for Peace.

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July 2023

A moment for remembrance and rededication to peace on the Korean Peninsula

A candle is lit to honor families divided by the Korean War

70 years ago, on July 27, 1953, the guns of the Korean War fell silent following the signing of an armistice. While the armistice brought an end to 3 years of fighting, it did not end the war. The parties to this conflict never reached a peace settlement. Today, the Korean Peninsula and many families remain separated between north and south. Tensions remain high with the constant threat that friction could escalate into a nuclear conflict.

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June 2023

The Second Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

QUNO NY recently attended the second session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent which took place at UN headquarters from May 30 to June 2. This newly established forum, which alternates annually between the UN in New York and Geneva, serves as a crucial platform for people of African Descent from across the globe to gather to voice their concerns regarding the persisting violence and discrimination faced by Africans and people of African Descent.

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June 2023

Spotlight on SDG16 and Providing Access to Justice for All Summary Note

On June 7, QUNO NY held a discussion on Sustainable Development Goal 16 titled “Spotlight on SDG 16: Providing Access to Justice for All’. The event brought together UN diplomats, colleagues from the UN system and civil society to unpack the ‘justice’ element of SDG 16, delving further into both reproductive and environmental justice. The discussion centered around the intersectionality of equal access to justice, strategies for translating SDG targets into tangible national laws and action plans and methods to improve data collection on equal access to justice.

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June 2023

SDG 16 Conference 2023: SDG 16 as a compass for navigating intersecting crises

From 30 May to 1 June, Kavita Desai, QUNO NY Representative, actively participated in the  fourth annual Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) Conference. The conference was organized by the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. In addition to the conference, a civil society day was observed on 29 May. 

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June 2023

QUNO NY hosts discussion on equal access to justice for all

On June 7, QUNO NY held a discussion on Sustainable Development Goal 16 titled “Spotlight on SDG 16: Providing Access to Justice for All’. The event brought together UN diplomats, colleagues from the UN system and civil society to unpack the ‘justice’ element of SDG 16, delving further into both reproductive and environmental justice.

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June 2023

QUNO NY hosts and attends events to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Pathways to Peace Report

On June 12, civil society and UN colleagues gathered at Quaker House to reflect on the fifth anniversary of the ‘Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to Preventing Violent Conflict’ Report. The event was co-hosted by QUNO, the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) and the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation (DHF).

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June 2023

QUNO NY hosted a briefing to discuss the integration of human rights approaches in conflict prevention

On June 30th, QUNO NY as co-facilitator of the Civil-Society UN Platform on Prevention, hosted a civil society briefing on the joint initiative by the African Union (AU), World Bank (WB) and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to strengthen human rights integration into the AU Continental Early Warning systems. The discussion was a chance to reflect on the initiative, and for civil society representatives to provide input.

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June 2023

Pathways For Peace – More Effective International Architecture for Prevention Summary Note

QUNO NY co-hosted an event alongside the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict and the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation to mark the fifth anniversary of the flagship report ‘Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to Preventing Violent Conflict’ by the United Nations and World Bank Group. The anniversary provided opportunities for Member States, the UN and civil society to take stock and reflect on recommendations made in the report and how to apply these in an evolved geopolitical landscape. 

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May 2023

QUNO NY delivers intervention at UN meeting on SDG 16

QUNO New York Representative, Kavita Desai, delivered a statement before the UN’s Economic and Social Council during the special meeting, ‘Unleashing the transformative power of SDG 16: Improving governance and reducing corruption.’ In her statement, Kavita highlighted the importance of civil society engagement in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) on peace, justice, and building inclusive institutions.

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May 2023

QUNO New York delivers a statement at the UN on civil society engagement and SDG 16

On May 2, 2023, QUNO New York Representative, Kavita Desai, delivered a statement before the UN’s Economic and Social Council on behalf of Friends World Committee on Consultation (FWCC). The special meeting titled ‘Unleashing the transformative power of SDG 16: Improving governance and reducing corruption’ considered the importance and implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) on peace, justice, and building inclusive institutions in a post-pandemic era.

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April 2023

QUNO NY hosts ‘Youth Impact’ discussion on sidelines of Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and Youth Forum

On April 26, QUNO NY hosted a hybrid side event for the ECOSOC Youth Forum and Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The event titled, ‘Youth Impact: Building Connections to Elevate Action,’ provided a space for youth to come together at Quaker House to share experiences from within their communities as well as challenges they face when engaging with the UN during these forums.

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April 2023

Quaker work at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Away from the buzz of the UN, young Indigenous people gathered at Quaker House under the shade of the gingko tree, finding respite through casual conversation, ceremony, and friendship after two weeks of political dialogues at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), held in New York in April 2023.

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