Our 2023 Annual Meeting brought together hundreds of Friends online and in Washington, D.C., to learn, lobby, worship, and chart FCNL’s future.
So much was accomplished in our brief time together. The General Committee approved FCNL’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan, changes to our governance structure, and updates to our policies on reproductive health and abortion. We learned about the impact and importance of peacebuilding and raised our voices to lobby Congress to protect investments in conflict and atrocities prevention. We celebrated FCNL’s 80th anniversary; now, we look to the future of our work advocating or the values we have recommitted to and celebrated.
Highlights
- Powerful Advocacy: Participants in our Quaker Public Policy Institute went on more than 120 lobby visits, representing 34 states. Together, with Friends throughout the nation, they urged Congress to protect critical investments in conflict and atrocities prevention and called for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza.
- Local Power, Lasting Peace: Speakers from a variety of organizations, including Peace Direct, Mercy Corps, Parents Circle, Aware Girls, Manipur Women, and the American Friends Service Committee, shared their visions for how local peacebuilding programs can advance a world free of war.
- Spirit-led Reflections: Emily Provance of Fifteenth Street Meeting, New York Yearly Meeting, held our gathering in prayer and brought a message to our closing worship.
- Celebrating Congressional Champions: Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA) was presented the Edward F. Snyder Award for her powerful leadership to advance peace, end endless war, reform security assistance, protect civilians from harm, and prevent atrocities. Rep. Tom Cole (OK) received the FCNL Justice Award for his bipartisan leadership in establishing a Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the U.S. Act and advancing policies that honor tribal sovereignty and treaty rights.
- Grounding Our Work in Faith: Jeanné Lewis, CEO of Faith in Public Life, delivered a keynote plenary, “Let Us Call Upon the Spirit of Truth.”
- Celebrating our History: FCNL celebrated its 80th anniversary and Amelia Kegan, LaVida Davis, and Heather Brandon-Smith, discussed ways to find hope in our current world, as well as future opportunities to advocate for peace, justice, and an earth restored.
- Planning for the Future: The General Committee approved timely updates to our governance structure and policies regarding abortion and reproductive health. And the General Committee affirmed the 2024-2028 Strategic Plan, “Towards the World We Seek.”
Videos and Speeches
Recordings will be added here as they are available.