Diplomacy doesn’t require admiration or even trust between the parties. It does require an orientation toward continuing conversation and a willingness to listen to other perspectives. It is, in its way, a spiritual discipline of endeavoring to speak to the Divine that lives in each of us.
FCNL works by creating space for common ground. We lobby Republicans and Democrats alike and support opportunities—such as the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus—for members of Congress to work together across party lines. We have literally created space where dialogue is possible in the new Quaker Welcome Center. And we urge our government to pursue policies that promote diplomacy, encouraging U.S. participation with other nations in addressing problems that need the world’s collective strength.