Quaker initiatives since World War Two
Quakers have been/are active over a wide range of issues, as illustrated below.
International
Friends Ambulance Unit: During both World Wars, gave those with pacifist convictions opportunities for non-military service on the battlefield and in bombed cities.
Friends Relief Service: Worked in Europe during and after World War Two. Together with American Friends, was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 1947 (pictured).
Women to Women for Peace: Began as Mothers for Peace in 1981. Now a network of women, bridge-building between countries.
United Nations: Offices in New York and Geneva allow diplomats to meet on neutral ground. Special concerns include child soldiers (pictured) and justice in world trade.
Centres for Peacemaking: In Cape Town and Chechnya provide a focus for discussion and activities.
Schools: In Brummana (Lebanon) and Ramallah (near Jerusalem) (pictured) foster Quaker values.
Dabane Trust (Zimbabwe): Has perfected the use of simple pump technology to extract clean water for irrigation (pictured).
National
Turning the Tide: Acts in consultancy role to support use of Active Non-Violence in the interests of justice and peace.
Departments of Peace Studies, Universities of Lancaster and Bradford: Undertake research and provide under/postgraduate degree courses
Circles of Support and Accountability: Help newly released sex offenders adjust to life outside prison and hold them accountable for their actions.
Schools: The seven Quaker schools in England (Sidcot pictured) provide education based on Quaker beliefs. Most pupils and staff are now not Quakers.
Quaker Action on Alcohol and Drugs (QAAD): Addresses the use/misuse of all substances, and also gambling, by information, consultation and workshops.
.
Bristol
Bristol Mediation: Set up in 1990. Trained mediators help involved parties try to resolve disputes in schools, workplace and home.
Bristol Folk House: Set up in 1920, together with Baptists, to provide for educational, and other, needs of local population.
West of England Housing Association: Provides accommodation (pictured) and care for older people of any faith, or none.
Bristol English Language Tuition Scheme: Started in 1977, later taken over by Avon Education Department. Involved several hundred students of different nationalities, mainly women from Asia.
St Paul’s Play Group: Set up in 1967 in a church hall with volunteers from several organisations. Later became the St Paul’s Playgroup Association.
To find out more, see www.quaker.org.uk and/or www.bristolquakers.org.uk
Possible illustrations
1 Sept 04 SP