A Quaker Lobby in the Public Interest
One year ago, after much advocacy by FCNL, the Prevention and Protection Working Group (PPWG), and many others, the Obama Administration launched the Atrocities Prevention Board (APB), highlighting the prevention of genocide and other mass atrocities as a priority and practice of U.S. policy.
Atrocities Prevention
We continue working with the Board to realize our shared goal of strong U.S. prevention policy. See recommendations for the APB after its first year from a coalition of FCNL's colleague organizations.
Your Peace Toolbox
The President's FY14 Request (which comes before the House and Senate versions of the budget) was hopeful, and included all of our priority programs. The Complex Crises Fund was included in the request, but for $40 million--$10 million less than last year's President's Request.
Stories & Successes
A significant milestone for FCNL’s peaceful prevention of deadly conflict work: President Obama announced the establishment of the Atrocities Prevention Board and a comprehensive U.S. strategy to prevent genocide and other mass atrocities.
Every year, the Director for National Intelligence testifies before Congress and assesses worldwide threats to U.S. national security. This year, an entire section of the testimony on mass atrocities was included indicating that the issue is a priority for the intelligence community.
When the House voted earlier this year to eliminate funding for State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development efforts to prevent deadly conflict, we mobilized our constituents and other networks to successfully protect the Complex Crises Fund and the U.S. Institute of Peace.
FCNL Statement of Legislative Policy
"Peace and security can be achieved only by peaceful means.
To prevent violence, we must address the roots of conflict. These include economic deprivation, intolerance, humiliation and inequity, oppressive power, spending on weapons and armed forces at the price of civil development, and war itself.
Because violence degrades the sacredness of life, we seek alternative forms of conflict resolution. We support active non-violent responses to prevent or transform violent conflict at all levels."
For more, see FCNL's Policy Statement.
