QUNO’s Human Impacts of Climate Change (HICC) programme works to connect our advocacy at the multilateral level with grassroots and faith communities.

In March and April, HICC Representative Lindsey Fielder Cook met with the First Congregational Church of Sheffield in Massachusetts, USA, and Aotearoa/New Zealand Yearly Meeting. She discussed QUNO’s advocacy to transform the root causes driving planetary crisis and personal and political actions that everyone can take.

Between 15 and 26 April 2024, the United Nations (UN) in New York hosted the 23rd session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). QUNO New York staff joined our Canadian Friends Service Committee (CFSC) colleagues in welcoming Indigenous Peoples representatives to Quaker House and to New York.   

On Thursday 18 April, QUNO New York staff, alongside colleagues from the NGO Working Group on Israel-Palestine, joined Indigenous Peoples outside the United Nations (UN) Headquarters to uplift the right to self-determination. Led by Indigenous partners from the Amazon, participants linked arms and performed a traditional dance to protest the ongoing denial of rights for both Palestinians and Indigenous Peoples across the world.

On 12 April 2024, the Quaker United Nations Office joined with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), and other Quaker organizations in issuing a statement outlining a shared vision for lasting peace in Palestine and Israel.

QUNO’S Peace & Disarmament programme based in Geneva recently participated in the George Washington International Law Review Symposium, “A world under fire: examining the global impact of gun trafficking and violence”.

Florence Foster, the programme’s Representative, outlined how QUNO has worked at the United Nations (UN), with multilateral organisations, government delegations and non-governmental organisations to achieve change in international standards and practice on arms control – with a particular focus on corporate responsibility in the arms sector. 

On 25 March, the United Nations Security Council successfully passed Resolution 2728, which “Demands an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire.” Introduced by the ten elected members of the Security Council (E10), the resolution also reiterates the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, protect civilians, and ensure the safe and unconditional release of all hostages. 

On 2 March, QUNO New York staff participated in the UNRWA-USA Gaza 5k, in solidarity with the children of Gaza, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and our AFSC colleagues in Gaza. Thanks to generous donations, the QUNO New York team raised $2,909, contributing to an impressive overall total of $2,017,416. All funds raised will go towards mental health counselling and psychosocial support services for children in Gaza.

Applications are now open for two programme assistant positions based at QUNO's office in Geneva from September 2024 to August 2025 working on: 

Human Rights & Refugees
Human Impacts of Climate Change

These are exciting opportunities for young professionals with an interest in international affairs to learn about and contribute to Quaker work at the United Nations.
They are open to Quakers and those in sympathy with Quaker values.

The closing date for applications is 21 April 2024. 

Global economic system transformation is needed to ensure businesses operate within planetary boundaries to secure a sustainable environment and protect human rights.

This was a key message from the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) at the recent 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC). QUNO delivered its statement on behalf of the Friends World Committee for Consultation which represents Quakers, Soka Gakkai International, the World Council of Churches and Anglican Communion.