News
Recent QCEA Activity
The Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA) held a meeting on 17th April 2010 in which it reviewed its work programme.
Although four council members were prevented from travelling to Brussels by the ash cloud from the Icelandic vulcano eruption that closed many airports in Central and Northern Europe, the meeting was well attended by Representatives from Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the UK. Two of the absent Friends, Penny Heymans from Norway and Margrit Grey in Northern Ireland, were able to participate for the entire day thanks to Skype connections.
QCEA work continues to be focussed on Human Rights, Peace, Economic Justice and Sustainable Energy Security.
Research is being carried out on support availble to ex-prisoners on and after release in member states and on military responses to energy security problems.
Four fact sheets have been produced on:
- The dilemma between flying and train travel
- The dilemma of eating meat or a vegetarian diet
- The effectiveness of photofoltaic panels
- The dilemma of keeping an old car against buying a new, more energy-efficient one
The following papers have just been published:
- Investigating Alternatives to Imprinsonment
- The Nabucco Gas Pipeline: A chance for the EU to push for change in Turkmenistan
- EU Sustaninable Consumption and Production Action Plan
- Transforming Impasse – The way through conflict with Quaker listening processes
As well as on-line, these fact-sheets and papers can be obtained for the cost of postage from the contact below. Alternatively, consider becoming an Associate Member – for £32 or €40 per year you will receive regular editions of Around Europe (in English and German) and any papers published during the year.
A project advisory group has been set up to develop a new programme of work on advocacy for a just solution to the conflict in Israel-Palestine.
QCEA is keeping a watching brief on developments within the European Union, in particularly the recently set up External Action Service, the EU Budget Review and EU Enlargement.
Planning for the annual Study Tour and for the biennial Conference are in hand.
Contact name: Liz Scurfield
