On Sunday, January 26, a presentation at the Cropwell Friends Meetinghouse in Marlton, N.J., attracted nearly two dozen people to hear about Quaker work in the United Nations. The program featured Sarah Clarke, director of the Quakers United Nations Office (QUNO) in New York, and Bo Méndez, QUNO’s communications and engagement lead.
Sarah Clarke began the presentation with a bit of history and context about the United Nations, pointing out the difference between the UN General Assembly (the collection of all participating nations) and the UN Security Council (smaller body that includes five permanent members including the United States). In addition to the governing bodies, there are a number of organizations under the UN who do its work.
The New York UN office is the home to the Security Council, while the Geneva, Switzerland office hosts its Human Rights Council as well as a number of specialized agencies such as the World Health Organization and disarmament groups.
The history of Quaker involvement goes back to the time of the formation of the United Nations. From the beginning Friends wanted to be engaged with its work, as many of the ideas in the UN Charter resonated with Quaker ideals on race and equality. Quakers are one of the oldest accredidated non-governmental organizations at the UN, granted this status in 1948.
QUNO, the Quakers United Nations Office, has offices in both New York City and Geneva. Sarah Clark told the group that the New York office partners with UN diplomats and officials working on lasting peace. QUNO’s work is quiet and behind the scenes. Since 1954 QUNO has owned a four-story house a few blocks from the New York UN headquarters and they offer the space as a place where UN officials and partners “on the ground” can have informal conversations.
Sarah brought a number of photos showing the contrast between official UN spaces (formal, microphoned, brightly lit) and QUNO’s Quaker House (homey, with sofas, soft lighting, and spaces meant for conversation). She told us that “food and hospitality are two of our secret ingredients.” Their goal is “bringing people together for conversations that otherwise wouldn’t be happening.”
Sarah explained the unique structure of the Quakers United Nations Office. It’s status at the UN is held by the international Quaker body, Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), but its day-to-day work is administered by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). QUNO also has its own governance body made up of representatives appointed by FWCC and AFSC.
Bo Méndez also presented. He is the global communications lead, who works for the offices in both New York and Geneva. His background is in digital communications and outreach and he handles QUNO’s social media and website (a new design is on the way).
QUNO is largely supported by charitable donations. Sarah told the group that ““In doing this work we’re representing you.”
The talk was followed by a Question and Answer period and then a Cropwell potluck, full of good food and further conversation about the values and work of Friends both in Marlton and around the world.
Learn more:
- Quakers United Nations Office website
- American Friends Service Committee
- Friends World Committee for Consultation World Office
- A 2021 profile of Sarah Clarke in Friends Journal magazine
Cropwell Quaker Meeting is a small-but-growing Friends community in Marlton/Cherry Hill NJ. Come join us for public worship every Sunday at 10am. At Cropwell we treasure our friendliness, our desire for a community grounded in the Holy Spirit, our in-person worship, and our genuine desire for new members. We try to have special events every month, such as introductions to Quakers, speakers demonstrating Quaker faith in action, or all-ages crafts. Learn what to expect if you visit.