Timeline

Peacebuilding & Prevention of Violent Conflict

QUNO seeks to encourage a more holistic approach to peacebuilding and the prevention of violent conflict at the UN that takes into account local perspectives and the rebuilding of relationships. This includes a focus on the connections between peace, development, and the environment.
September 2023

QUNO NY Speaks about youth, peace and inclusion at the local level

On September 16th, QUNO New York Representative, Kavita Desai, spoke at a side event in connection to the Sustainable Development Goals Summit. In her presentation, she stressed that, “for the United Nations engagement with young people on peace and security to be sustainable, there must be an investment in young people and in prevention.”   

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September 2023

World leaders gather with hopes for peace in the face of deepening crises

On September 19th, world leaders gathered at the United Nations in New York for the opening of the 78thSession of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). This particular gathering comes at a time when the need for global cooperation is critical, with multiple crises needing to be addressed in addition to recent and tragic natural disasters that have occurred around the world.

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September 2023

Arms industry tactics avoid human rights responsibility

The irresponsible role of the arms industry needs to be addressed as part of preventing violence and human rights violations committed with firearms globally.

This was part of the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) Peace & Disarmament programme’s recent response (also see attachment below) to an analysis of the arms industry by the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights.

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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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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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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

QUNO NY Representative speaks at High Level Political Forum side event

The annual High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development began at the UN headquarters on the 10th of July. Each year, government and UN officials gather alongside civil society to discuss progress made towards sustainable development; the theme of this year's forum was “Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels”.

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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

QUNO NY delivers statement at Joint Economic Social Council and Peacebuilding Commission meeting

On June 29, Quaker Representative Kavita Desai spoke to a joint meeting of the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN Peacebuilding Commission. At the meeting, convened under the title of “The importance of the Sustainable Development Goals in linking peace and development on the ground”, Kavita pointed to the daily realities of communities on the ground.

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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

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 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

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 Committee Member spotlight

QUNO is governed by a Committee of Friends appointed by the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) and the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). We’re excited to spotlight the insights and experiences of a committee member and are delighted to share reflections from Cheryl Morden. Cheryl is a member of Adelphi Friends Meeting in Maryland.

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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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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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