Timeline

Reconciliation & Dialogue

QUNO supports a more holisitic approach to peacebuilding and prevention by the UN through the promotion of reconciliation and dialogue activities.
May 2025

QUNO hosts SDG 16 Community Gathering

Grounded in partnership for a peaceful, just, and inclusive world, QUNO NY collaborated with the Civil Society Platform for Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (CSPPS) and the Transparency, Accountability and Participation (TAP) Network to convene civil society representatives around the UNs Sustainable Development Goal 16, also known as the ‘peace goal’.

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April 2025

FWCC Submission to the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

The fourth session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD) took place from 14 April through 17 April at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. QUNO NY, representing Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), submitted a statement to the Forum’s Secretariat sharing the perspective of Quakers worldwide on the thematic discussion on Systemic Racism and Policymaking: A human rights-based approach.  

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March 2025

QUNO Welcomes Korean Anti-Nuclear Peace Action Delegation: Stories of Survival for Peace

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.

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February 2025

Human-centered Cooperation at the UN: QUNO Highlights the Role of Faith Actors at PGA Townhall

On 12 February 2025, QUNO NY staff attended the annual Civil Society Townhall with the President of the General Assembly. Under the theme “Unity in Diversity for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for everyone everywhere,” President of the 79th General Assembly, Philémon Yang of Cameroon, engaged with members of civil society on their role in implementing the Pact for the Future.

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December 2024

A Call for Reparations by the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent

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.

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October 2024

Quakers on Climate and Peace

QUNO Interim Deputy Director and Representative for the Human Impacts of Climate Change, Lindsey Fielder Cook, recently spoke in two webinars focused on climate, peace, and militarism. In July, Quaker Earthcare Witness held a conversation between Lindsey and General Secretary of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Joyce Ajlouny, about the interwovenness of peacemaking and climate justice.

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October 2024

The Human Costs of US Militarism on the Korean Peninsula

On 1 October, representatives of QUNO New York met with colleagues from the NGO Working Group for Peace on the Korean Peninsula to hear from Reverend Dr. Kim Hiheon. Reverend Kim is a pastor and peacebuilder from the Republic of Korea (South Korea), who engages in Christian activism on social justice, demilitarization, and unification of the two Koreas. The conversation took place in the context of a deteriorating relationship between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and South Korea, as North Korea has stated its intention to abandon reunification as their goal.  

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September 2024

QUNO’s Contribution to Care For Creation at the Friends World Committee on Consultation World Plenary

As part of the 2024 World Plenary Meeting (WPM), QUNO Geneva Interim Deputy Director and Representative for the Human Impacts of Climate Change Lindsey Fielder Cook, contributed personal reflection and testimony by video recording on the theme of ‘care for creation’. Taking place in South Africa from 5-12 August 2024, the WPM was organized by the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) and hosted by the Southern Africa Yearly Meeting.

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July 2024

Beyond the Armistice: Opportunities for Peace on the Korean Peninsula

On 27 July we remember the signing of the Korean War armistice in 1953. While the armistice silenced the guns and brought an end to three years of armed conflict, it did not end the war, and to this day the parties to this conflict have not reached a peace agreement. It is estimated that the war has produced at least 2.5 million deaths, including civilians and soldiers from 22 countries. Today the Korean peninsula and many families remain separated between north and south. This year tensions have worsened with the constant threat that this friction could escalate into a nuclear conflict.

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December 2023

QUNO NY joins first ever CSO-UN Dialogue on Peacebuilding

QUNO NY joined a “CSO-UN Dialogue on Peacebuilding” from November 30th to December 1st. The Dialogue recognised the important role civil society organisations (CSOs) play in advancing local, national, regional and international solutions to build and sustain peace.

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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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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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September 2022

QUNO NY’s Director delivers Pendle Hill lecture on lessons from Bayard Rustin

On 12 September, QUNO New York Director, Sarah Clarke, delivered the Steven G. Carey Memorial lecture at the Quaker center, Pendle Hill. With over 500 Friends registering to join in person and online, Sarah spoke on ‘Strategizing for Change: Applying lessons from the Life of Bayard Rustin to Quaker Work at the UN.

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June 2022

In and Around the UN

Our June 2022 newsletter shares updates from the work carried out by our New York office over recent months. Highlights include: a Q&A article on questions about the war in Ukraine and the UN; information on a new QUNO initiative on Youth, Peace and Security; the publication of our policy document, Building Peace in Times of Crisis; and news about staff comings and goings. Also hear from our new Director, Sarah Clarke, in her Director’s letter where she reflects on the state of multilateralism and the long commitment of Quaker witness at the UN.

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November 2021

In & Around the UN

Since our last newsletter in May 2021, QUNO has continued to adjust to the large changes brought about by COVID-19, as well as welcoming new staff and preparing to say goodbye to others. In the past months, the threats to peace that the world faces have become clearer, and what we must achieve has grown.

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May 2021

In & Around the UN

Since our last newsletter in October 2020, QUNO has continued to adjust to the large changes brought about by COVID-19, the killing of George Floyd, and the drama of a bitterly contested US election. Despite all these challenges, including a now more than year-long shift to virtual work, both for our office and our partners in the UN and other peacebuilding organizations, our work has moved forward.

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October 2020

In & Around the UN

The six months since our last newsletter have been extraordinary ones as COVID-19 hit New York in force in March. As the pandemic unfolded, QUNO staff members quickly adjusted to working from home, with staff reaching out to friends and colleagues throughout the UN system and to peacebuilding practitioners around the world, listening, supporting, and seeking to understand how these new conditions were impacting global efforts for peace.

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September 2020

The time is now: Recommit to Peace

Established in 1981 by the unanimous agreement of the United Nations General Assembly, the International Day of Peace (21 September) is devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace and a commitment towards non-violence. For the past five years, QUNO has facilitated the development and distribution of a sign on statement amongst peacebuilding organizations globally to mark the day and engage with Member States and UN stakeholders ahead of the UN General Assembly session.  

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