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News Release - Quakers’ annual Lecture to focus on human rights

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27 January 2012

Quaker human rights lawyer, Rachel Brett, will deliver the one hundred and fifth Swarthmore Lecture in London in May 2012, on Quaker work on human rights at the United Nations, work which has brought real change for many, including conscientious objectors and women in prison and to outlaw the use of child soldiers.
 
In the Swarthmore Lecture and in the accompanying book, Rachel Brett will draw on her experience of more than twenty years’ working for the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO). She is QUNO Geneva’s Representative for Human Rights and Refugees.
 
She says human rights work at the UN is a series of breakthroughs and setbacks, just like the game of snakes and ladders, hence the title of the book: Snakes and Ladders: A personal exploration of Quaker work on Human Rights at the United Nations.
 
“If the work can prevent one more child from being forced to be a soldier, or one more mother from being separated from her baby by unnecessary imprisonment, or one more person from being imprisoned as a conscientious objector, then it is worth it,” says Rachel Brett.
 
The book sets out why and how Quakers work at the UN. The Quaker belief of seeing God, or the capacity for good, in everyone is the foundation for the work and the challenge is to maintain that insight and to keep looking for the excluded, marginalised and disliked.
 
QUNO is recognised as a valuable place where informal but crucial talks can take place that lead to real change, where government representatives, UN and international staff, experts and non-governmental organisations can listen to and learn from each other. The strength of QUNO’s work lies in its steadfast persistence and thorough understanding. “We’re in it for the long term where others run a two or three-year campaign,” she says.  
 
“My own experience and observation convinces me that Quakers have made a significant contribution in the human rights and refugee fields at the UN, and through the UN have helped to change attitudes, create new understandings, develop new standards and, through these processes, helped to make concrete and measurable changes in government policies and practices and in people’s lives,” she reflects.
 
Rachel Brett first started work at QUNO Geneva in 1976 as an administrative assistant. Between 1978 and 1993 she worked at QUNO New York and gained a degree in law and a Masters degree in International Human Rights law. She returned to Geneva in 1993 and has been there since.
 
The Quakers United Nations Office works at the UN in Geneva and New York to address Quaker concerns at an international level. QUNO has “general consultative status” with the UN, enabling it to make formal representations to UN institutions on a range of issues. Staffing of QUNO Geneva is largely funded by Quakers in Britain.
 
The Swarthmore Lectureship, established in 1907, is under the care of Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre trustees. The lectureship provides for both the publication of a book and for the delivery of a public lecture, to be delivered this time in Friends House in London on 26 May 2012.
 
Ends
Notes to editor:

  • To interview Rachel Brett, contact Anne van Staveren on 020 7663 1048
  • Quakers are known formally as the Religious Society of Friends.
  • Around 23,000 people attend nearly 475 Quaker meetings in Britain. Their commitment to equality, justice, peace, simplicity and truth challenges them to seek positive social and legislative change.
  • The Swarthmore Lecture is usually given at the time of the annual decision-making meeting of Quakers in Britain (the meeting known as Yearly Meeting). Rachel Brett will deliver the Lecture at 7.30pm on Saturday 26 May in Friends House (opposite Euston Station). Journalists will be welcome to attend.
  • Review copies of the book will be available in early May from annev@quaker.org.uk Snakes and Ladders: A personal exploration of Quaker work on Human Rights at the United Nations price £8.00 ISBN 9781907123269, published by Quaker Books.
  • The Quaker United Nations Office, located in Geneva and New York, represents Quakers through Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC).  FWCC has had consultative status with the UN’s Economic and Social Council as an international on-governmental organisation since 1948. In July 2002, FWCC was moved from Special Status to General Status. This status allows to Quakers to attend many UN meetings, to receive documents and to make written and oral statements. QUNO arranges off-the-record meetings for diplomats and provides expert support to delegations from developing countries on human rights, disarmament and peace, and global economic issues. See www.quaker.org.uk/quaker-united-nations-office-geneva
  • Woodbrooke is Europe's only Quaker Study Centre and has since 1903 provided education for those of any faith or none from around the world.  see http://www.woodbrooke.org.uk

 
Media Information
Anne van Staveren
0207 663 1048
07958 009703
annev@quaker.org.uk
www.quaker.org.uk