Timeline

April 2023

Upcoming Event: Webinar and Quiet Diplomacy Dinner on Trade-Related Measures for a Treaty to End Plastic Pollution

We would like to inform you of an upcoming event on the 26th of April 2023, co-hosted by the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) and the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). The event will consist of a follow-up webinar from 4-6 pm CET, focusing on trade-related measures in the context of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) towards a treaty to end plastic pollution. Following the webinar, a quiet diplomacy dinner will be held at Quaker House in Geneva, starting at 7:15 pm.

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March 2023

QUNO: 75 Years of a Trusted Presence at the United Nations

This year, 2023, marks 75 years since the Quakers United Nations Office (QUNO) was founded in 1948. QUNO represents Quakers at the United Nations (UN) and related multilateral institutions, such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

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March 2023

QUNO Geneva invites applications for Programme Assistantships

Applications are now open for three programme assistant positions at QUNO Geneva from September 2023 to August 2024 in Human Rights & Refugees (HRR); Peace & Disarmament (PD); and Human Impacts of Climate Change (HICC).

These are exciting opportunities for young professionals with an interest in international affairs to learn about and contribute to Quaker work at the UN. They are open to Quakers and those in sympathy with Quaker values. The closing date for applications is 20 April 2023.

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March 2023

IPCC 58th Session

QUNO, speaking as Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), took part in an approval process to finalize the Synthesis Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which collates the full findings of the 6th Assessment Report. From 13-19th March, 135 states and over 150 observers took part in negotiations to finalize the language of the Synthesis Report to communicate to policy makers worldwide the latest climate science.

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March 2023

QUNO NY delivers statement on UN proposal for an Emergency Platform

QUNO New York’s UN Representative, Megan Schmidt, delivered a statement during the virtual multi-stakeholder consultation convened on 16 March by the Permanent Missions of Namibia and Germany. This is the second in a series of discussions that will inform the Summit of the Future in 2024.

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March 2023

Countries adopt landmark treaty to protect the world’s oceans

Late in the evening on 4 March 2023, the United Nations adopted a historic treaty to protect the world’s oceans. The Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, or the BBNJ, reached agreement on what is widely being referred to as the High Seas Treaty. This came after weeks of grueling negotiations that built upon over two decades of talks on the issue.

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February 2023

Intervention at the 29th Human Rights Advisory Committee on New Technologies for Climate Protection

On the 20th February, as part of the 29th meeting of the Human Rights Advisory Committee in Geneva, a discussion was held about the findings of an emerging report on the “Impact of new technologies for climate protection on the enjoyment of human rights” prepared by Patrycja Sasnal, the Rapporteur of the drafting group. QUNO Programme Assistant Alana Carlson, speaking under the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) and Amnesty International, delivered an intervention.

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February 2023

Webinar Series on Conscientious Objection to Military Service

The Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO), Connection e.V., International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), and War Resisters’ International (WRI) are pleased to present a new webinar series on conscientious objection to military service in war time. 

The series will include an overview on conscientious objection to military service in war time and webinars each focusing on a particular conflict with the participation of conscientious objectors and campaigners on conscientious objection to military service.

 

This series aims to: 

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January 2023

Civil Society-UN Prevention Platform submission for UN’s New Agenda for Peace

On the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, Member States pledged to strengthen global governance for the sake of present and future generations. At the request of Member States, the Secretary-General released the much-anticipated report, ‘Our Common Agenda,’ that provided several recommendations, including the need for a New Agenda for Peace (NA4P), to address the multitude of challenges faced by the international community.

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January 2023

Quaker United Nations Summer School 2023 - Applications Now Open

We are excited to announce the return of summer school! This year's program will be in person for the first time since 2019. Our 12-day residential programme takes place at the heart of international governance in Geneva, Switzerland.  Summer school together a diverse group of individuals to learn about pressing international concerns, develop professional skills, and build a like-minded community. Participants will be equipped with the skills to think constructively about the value of the multilateral system and international politics while enjoying opportunities to discover Geneva.

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January 2023

QUNO highlights the importance of the arms sector when discussing responsible business conduct

During the 11th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights | OHCHR, QUNO Geneva partnered with American Bar Association Center for Human Rights, the University of Washington School of Law, PAX and Amnesty International to co-organize a virtual side event titled “Responsible Business Conduct - the case of the arms sector”

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December 2022

The 1st session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

In August 2021, the General Assembly adopted its resolution 75/314, in which it formally operationalized the Permanent Forum as a consultative mechanism for people of African descent and other relevant stakeholders, as well as an advisory body to the Human Rights Council.  Additionally, the Permanent Forum has been tasked with contributing to the elaboration of a UN declaration on the promotion, protection, and full respect of the human rights of people of African descent.

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December 2022

Briefing paper: Using the Outcomes of the International Migration Review Forum for Migration Justice

The 2022 International Migration Review Forum was the first global reflection by States on the implementation of the GCM so far. While it succeeded in demonstrating a commitment to human rights-based multilateralism on migration within the United Nations, it did not deliver on all the demands and concerns of those working for migration justice. Further work is needed to make the best use of this steppingstone by building on its outcomes, including the progress declaration, national reviews and statements, and pledges. 

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December 2022

QUNO New York staff attends UN PGA townhall

On December 2, QUNO NY Programme Assistant, Sadhbh O’Driscoll, attended the UN-Civil Society Townhall. The event was held at UN headquarters in New York with the President of the 77th General Assembly (PGA), H.E. Mr. Csaba Kőrösi. This event was jointly organized by the PGA, civil society, and the UN Department of Global Communications.

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December 2022

QUNO Geneva is Hiring a Finance Officer (50%) Closing date: 18 December 2022 / Starting date: 1 May 2023 (or earlier if possible).

The Quno logo of a star, a wreath and the letters Q U N O and the words role opening

QUNO is seeking a part-time (50%) Finance Officer to join its small staff team, based at Quaker House, 13 avenue du Mervelet, Geneva.  (for full job description and how to apply see pdf below)

QUNO is an equal opportunity employer. In keeping with the Quaker testimony of equality, we strive to be an organisation that welcomes, values, and respects the different perspectives of every individual. We embrace diversity and welcome candidates of different ethnic, racial, gender identity, sexual orientation, and religious backgrounds. 

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December 2022

QUNO Stresses the Importance of Adopting Package-less and Reuse Systems to Address Plastics Pollution in a Workshop Organised by the WTO and UNCTAD

QUNO participated in a workshop on sustainable and effective substitutes and alternatives for plastics, co-organized by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The workshop offered a scoping, stocktaking, and trade facilitation exercise of prospective plastics substitutes and alternatives, and provided participants with a strong technical foundation for more in-depth talks on sustainable, tradable, and effective pla

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