Friends World Committee for Consultation

Friends World Committee for Consultation is an international organization that represents the interests of Quakers from around the world, including those from Africa Yearly Meeting, Asia Pacific Friends Fellowship, Evangelical Friends Church International, and Friends United Meeting. The organization was established in 1937, with the goal of promoting unity and cooperation among Quakers from different regions and backgrounds, such as Britain Yearly Meeting, Canadian Yearly Meeting, and New Zealand Yearly Meeting. The committee has its roots in the Quaker tradition of George Fox, William Penn, and John Woolman, and is guided by the principles of Quakerism, including the Testimonies of Simplicity, Equality, Integrity, Community, and Stewardship. The organization has worked closely with other international organizations, such as the United Nations, World Council of Churches, and International Committee of the Red Cross.

● History

The history of the organization dates back to the early 20th century, when Quakers from different parts of the world began to meet and discuss issues of common concern, such as pacifism, social justice, and human rights, with notable figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Jane Addams. The first meeting of the committee took place in 1937, at the Swanwick Conference Centre in Derbyshire, England, and was attended by representatives from Australia Yearly Meeting, New Zealand Yearly Meeting, and other Quaker organizations. Since then, the committee has met regularly, usually every three years, in different locations around the world, including Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, London, England, and Nairobi, Kenya. The organization has also been involved in various international events, such as the World Conference of Friends in 1952, which was held in Oxford, England, and was attended by Quakers from over 20 countries, including India, South Africa, and Canada.

● Organization

The organization is governed by a Council, which is composed of representatives from different Quaker organizations and regions, including Europe and Middle East Section, Americas Section, and Africa Section. The Council meets regularly to discuss and make decisions on matters related to the organization, such as budgeting, planning, and policy-making, in consultation with other organizations, such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and European Union. The organization also has a number of committees and working groups, which focus on specific issues, such as peace and justice, sustainability, and interfaith dialogue, and work closely with other organizations, such as the American Friends Service Committee, Quaker United Nations Office, and Quaker Peace and Social Witness. The organization is headquartered in London, England, and has a small staff, including a Secretary and a Treasurer, who work closely with other international organizations, such as the United Nations Development Programme, World Health Organization, and International Labour Organization.

● Purpose and Activities

The purpose of the organization is to promote unity and cooperation among Quakers from different regions and backgrounds, and to support the work of Quaker organizations and individuals around the world, including those involved in humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and community development, with partners like Oxfam, Save the Children, and CARE (relief agency). The organization achieves this through a variety of activities, including conferences, workshops, and training programs, which focus on issues such as conflict resolution, leadership development, and spiritual growth, and are often held in collaboration with other organizations, such as the African Union, European Commission, and Asian Development Bank. The organization also provides support and resources to Quaker organizations and individuals, including grants, scholarships, and technical assistance, and works closely with other organizations, such as the Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

● Membership and Structure

The organization has a diverse membership, which includes Quaker organizations and individuals from over 100 countries, including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and South Africa. The organization is structured into several sections, which represent different regions and languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Each section has its own committee and representatives, who work together to promote the interests of Quakers in their region, and collaborate with other organizations, such as the African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Inter-American Development Bank. The organization also has a number of associate members, which include Quaker organizations and individuals who are not full members, but who support the work of the organization, and work closely with other organizations, such as the International Rescue Committee, Doctors Without Borders, and Human Rights Watch.

● International Work and Relations

The organization has a strong focus on international work and relations, and works closely with other international organizations, such as the United Nations, World Council of Churches, and International Committee of the Red Cross. The organization has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and participates in various international events and conferences, such as the World Social Forum, World Economic Forum, and G20 summit. The organization also has partnerships with other international organizations, such as the European Union, African Union, and Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and works to promote the interests of Quakers and other faith-based organizations at the international level, with support from organizations like the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Brookings Institution, and Chatham House. The organization's international work includes advocacy, humanitarian aid, and development programs, which focus on issues such as poverty reduction, human rights, and sustainable development, and are often implemented in collaboration with other organizations, such as the World Food Programme, UNICEF, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.