Keeping up with Friends

Partnership continues to support humanitarian relief in Gaza

In addition to raising our voices, we’re still working with American Friends Service Committee, which has staff on the ground in Gaza. AFSC has reached more than one million people in Gaza with lifesaving aid. Your donations are vital to those persevering amidst devastating conditions. Assistance you give includes large-scale food distribution, safe drinking water and hygiene supplies, shelter materials, and targeted nutritional support for children. https://QuakerService.ca/Gaza

BC must recommit to the UN Declaration

A joint letter from over 80 civil society leaders including CFSC supports British Columbia’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. The letter explains how a “recent rise in anti-Indigenous rhetoric and fearmongering” has put this Act at risk, which would “set back our collective reconciliation efforts by decades.” https://QuakerService.ca/BCDeclarationAct

Webinar on the arms trade

Are you worried about Canadian-made weapons and their impact in the world? Did you know that in May of every year, CANSEC—the largest arms fair in North America—is held in Ottawa? Find out more in this webinar recording (and in Sandra’s article on p.7!): https://QuakerService.ca/ResistingCANSECWebinar

Investing in an age of big tech

Two guest posts by socially responsible investment (SRI) expert Alan Harman share what goes into ethical investment decisions, and some recent cases where decisions are challenged by military and social impacts of big tech companies: https://QuakerService.ca/SRI

Peace education bursaries

We’re pleased to announce new educational bursaries, which recognize the potential for students to be change-makers. This opportunity is available to fund both academic and non-academic learning for Quakers or non-Quakers based in Canada. https://QuakerService.ca/Bursaries

Why do we assume there are no alternatives to war?

There are always alternatives to war. So why aren’t more of us aware of them? This post for Psychology Today explores several of the many reasons, including some surprising research on censorship in Hollywood: https://QuakerService.ca/AlternativesToWar

CFSC publishes 200th video!

With so much going on at CFSC you might not have noticed, but our YouTube channel has quietly turned into a rich educational resource. In fact, we now have over 200 videos! There are longer recordings of informative webinars on peace and social justice. There are also short video series:

  • Indigenous voices on reconciliation
  • Weekly tips for better conflicts
  • Unshackled: wisdom from a formerly incarcerated woman
  • What does sustainability mean to you?

Have a look! https://QuakerService.ca/YouTube

General Secretary’s corner

I miss writing for Quaker Concern so I’ve decided to make the General Secretary’s corner a regular feature where I’ll share some reflections with you.

The CFSC team is always very busy with many areas of work—a taste of which you get with each Quaker Concern. Right now staff are engaging with CFSC supporters across the country in many ways, as well as being active at the United Nations headquarters in New York. You can keep up with us on our social media @CFSCQuakers (did you love the April Fool’s post??)

Speaking of keeping up with us, please send us a note if you move so Quaker Concern keeps going to the right place. And if you ever want to be switched to an email copy, let us know that too.

I am currently working with heads of other Quaker organizations discussing Quaker responses to the world we are currently in—more will be coming on that in the months to come.

Also a heartfelt thanks and best wishes to our Jeremy Vander Hoek as he moves from our team to becoming a teacher. We will miss him dearly and our loss is the gain of a generation of students to come!

Jennifer Preston is CFSC’s General Secretary.

Spring 2026 /