NFPB reflects on 2016
The Northern Friends Peace Board reflects on 2016
The Northern Friends Peace Board (NFPB) has issued its annual report highlighting work done in 2016.
During the year the NFPB reflected on and responded to some of the changes in politics and society, whilst keeping a focus on its core areas of work.
The report states: ‘At the turn of the year, the ramifications of the EU referendum and the election of US president Donald Trump were still unclear.
‘Grassroots action by Quakers and many others in building good community relations, in responding to social and human need and in speaking out continue to inspire us. We are greatly encouraged by this commitment and look forward to opportunities to collaborate and support their work in the promotion of peace in all its height and breadth.’
The NFPB board met in Nottingham in March, Edinburgh in June, Penrith in October and York in November, with most Area Meetings represented. At all but one of the meetings Friends undertook simple acts of witness against the replacement of Trident.
‘The possibility of Trident renewal was a key theme during the early part of the year. February saw NFPB members and the NFPB banner at the large national demonstration in London,’ the report states. ‘In April we helped facilitate a “Productive Trident Conversations” workshop. Hosted by Swarthmore Local Meeting, this was a joint project with Tim Wallis of Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW).’
Following parliament’s decision in July to build a successor to Trident, NFPB focused on arms conversion as an alternative to military production.
Building on a concern around ‘Sustainable Security’, in September NFPB held a day conference in Darlington on the theme of ‘Changing the Narrative for Peace – Critical Role of the Media’. Workshops and group exercises provided space for people to explore both the challenges of reframing the security agenda and the practicalities of engaging with different types of media.
NFPB members participated in a variety of conferences and events throughout the year, and the organisation maintained its European Quaker links, being represented at the annual Quaker Peace and Service Consultation in Belgium.
Nationally, NFPB contributed to the work of QPSW’s Peace Education, Campaigning and Networking sub-committee and of the Network of Christian Peace Organisations (NCPO).
NFPB received a modest increase in financial contributions from Area and Local Meetings during 2016. Individual Friends have also provided financial contributions. NFPB’s core activities and project work benefited from additional funds provided by charitable trusts.
