Q:witness

This Q:Witness we discuss the tide of militarisation in Britain and how to take action to stop it. The belief that military solutions are superior is one of the things that makes war more likely. From cadets in state schools to Armed Forces Day, we hear how new initiatives amount to a deliberate militarisation of society to counteract falling support for Britain’s wars. We hear about the movement to challenge militarism in Britain. Suki Ferguson, debut interviewer, speaks to Ellis Brooks and Sam Walton who work to challenge militarism in education and across society. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Payne speaks to Scottish Parliamentary Engagement Officer Mairi Campbell-Jack about Quaker work in Scotland to increase transparency and scrutiny of military involvement in schools. Don’t forget our questionnaire; we want to know what you think! http://forms.quaker.org.uk/qpsw-comms-survey-2017/ www.quaker.org.uk/militarism • Short film, the Unseen March | www.unseenmarch.org.uk • Veterans for Peace UK | http://vfpuk.org •

How can Quakers offer sanctuary to those forced to flee their homes? Jon Martin and Tim Gee explore the idea of sanctuary and prepare for the launch of the Sanctuary Meetings programme. Tim also asks the various speakers from Refugee Week at Friends House (Euston, London) what sanctuary means to them. Learn why and how Quaker meetings can become Sanctuary Meeting and how you can join our movement challenging the process of destitution, deportation and detention. Interviews in order: Sita Brahmachari, Gulwali Passarlay (pictured), Maron Ehad, Gaël Le Cornec, Hassan Abdulrazzak. Closing poems read by Ambrose Musiyiwa from the anthology; Over Land Over Sea, poems for those seeking refuge. Visit www.quaker.org.uk/migration for more information about becoming a Sanctuary Meeting or contact the team on Sanctuary@quaker.org.uk For more information about Refugee Week see: refugeeweek.org.uk/ You may also be interested in www.qarn.org.uk/homepage/ Tell us what you think of this podcast! https://forms.quaker.o

What happens when you feel compelled to action on an issue but don't know where to start? Elizabeth and Jon chat to Hannah and Steve from the Turning the Tide social action training programme about how they support groups looking to help build a more just and peaceful world. Turning the Tide uses the skills and tools of nonviolence to support social change at the grassroots. Ellis also catches up with Sally Ingham, a Quaker from Cumbria who was part of a group motivated to 'walk for the welfare system'. Kendal and Sedbergh Area Meeting worked with Turning the Tide to develop their plan and engaged with local media and politicians about why they were compelled to act. Visit turningtide.org.uk for more information about the Turning the Tide programme or contact Hannah and Steve on +44 (0)20 7663 1064 or turningtide@quaker.org.uk. Tell us what you think of this podcast and fill in our survey: https://forms.quaker.org.uk/qpsw-comms-survey-2017/ Follow @BritishQuakers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Following the UK General Election on 8th June 2017, Ellis speaks to Jessica Metheringham, the Parliamentary Engagement Officer at Quakers in Britain. Jess reports on Quaker action during the campaign on key issues like nuclear disarmament and economic inequality and how to keep these on the agenda. She also reflects on the impact of the Lobbying Act on civil society's voice during the election. Read more about Quakers and the Lobbying Act on the ACEVO website: https://acevoblogs.wordpress.com/2017/06/02/quakers-and-the-lobbying-act/ Follow @politicalQuaker and @ScotPolQuaker on Twitter

War, human rights abuses and forced migration start in London. The Defence and Security Exhibition International (DSEI - pronounced 'dicey') is the largest arms fair in the world. Every two years, DSEI allows arms buyers and sellers to network and make deals. It’s coming again 4 September 2017, at ExCeL – the huge exhibition centre in London Docklands. This episode is about how to stop the arms fair. Ellis and Elizabeth hear from Sam Walton, the Peace and Disarmament Programme Manager for Quakers in Britain, and Kat Hobbs from Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), as well as lots of activists ready to challenge the repression. Quakers in Britain are a founder member of Stop the Arms Fair: a coalition of groups working together to oppose the arms fair in East London. We are building resistance to the arms fair through protest, lobbying, witness, creativity and prayer. The next DSEi is due to take place in 2017: if it does, Quakers will be working to increase the resistance. Quakers work to raise awareness of the

Quakers in Britain are deeply concerned by the widening gulf between rich and poor, which is brought about by injustice within our economic system. Quakers call for an economic system that values and protects all people. Any government strategy to reduce economic inequality should include a fair social security system which is upheld by a fair tax system and decent pay. In this episode we talk to Gurpreet Bola and Mairi Campbell-Jack about economic inequality, exploring what we can do to support work to reduce it. We also catch up on the other areas Quakers are raising at this election. We speak to Tim Wallis about the nuclear ban treaty currently being negotiated, and to Tim Gee about countering negative stereotypes around migration and refugees. www.quakervote.org.uk | @QuakerVote | www.quaker.org.uk/economic-justice

Land across Lancashire is at risk of fracking, a new form of fossil fuel extraction that is set to threaten the UK’s ability to meet its low carbon commitments. Planning permission has been granted for fracking at Preston New Road in Lancashire, between Blackpool and Preston. Pendle Hill Area Meeting Quakers joined together to organise a meeting for worship for witness against fracking atop Pendle Hill, a historic site for Quakers. The land that can be seen from Pendle Hill is licensed for fracking, or at risk of being so. Jon Martin went along to hear from those who attended the meeting for worship on 6 May. It’s urgent that we move beyond reliance on fossil fuels. This means campaigning against fracking, and many other types of action too. Sunniva Taylor, Sustainability and Peace Programme Manager, celebrates 19 area meeting fossil fuel divestment commitments and outlines key climate change questions to put to parliamentary candidates before the general election on 8 June. We need their answers – and their

As a collective body Quakers in Britain are not party political. But that doesn’t mean we’re neutral. A general election is a good time to raise some key concerns with parliamentary candidates. In this episode of Q:Witness we speak to Jessica Metheringham, who works on political engagement, about how to get involved with the election and how we stay engaged afterwards. www.quakervote.org.uk | @QuakerVote | quakervote@quaker.org.uk

How is money actually created? Can a bank be ethical? How would you ensure a favourable reincarnation? These questions and more are explored in this episode of Q:Witness, the podcast from Quakers in Britain all about taking action for sustainability, equality and peace. We talk to Cait Crosse, who has been running the New Economy Programme, about the recently released the fourth New Economy Booklet, Money, banks and finance in the new economy. “Savings accounts, investments and loans: the financial sector provides essential services at the heart of any modern economy. Some people view it as the oil that allows the wheels of the economy to turn effectively. “Yet, as most recently shown by the 2007/8 financial crash, the system is also highly volatile and when it goes wrong can wreak havoc across society. This booklet explores the financial system and money creation, asking how they could be reformed to help create a more stable, equal and just economy.” – Money, banks and finance in the new economy The new eco

Europe is experiencing the largest number of refugees since World War II. This is bringing attention to a steadily growing global crisis of human displacement, born of war, inequality and environmental degradation. In this episode of Q:Witness, we speak to Tim Gee who is scoping new work on forced migration from Quakers in Britain. We then hear from Sheila Mosley and Bridget Walker who help run the Quaker Asylum and Refugee Network (QARN), an independent group that has been working to change the way that asylum seekers are treated since 2007. www.quaker.org.uk/migration | www.qarn.org.uk Get involved in exploring the new work by email timothyg@quaker.org.uk A transcript can be provided if requested- email ellisb@quaker.org.uk

Why are Quakers and others taking action to stop fracking? In February 2017, Quakers in Britain called for a ban on shale gas fracking and all forms of intensive fossil fuel extraction. Meeting for Sufferings, Quakers in Britain’s representative body, said “We have faith that we can tackle climate change and build a more sustainable future, but we know this is only possible if fossil fuels remain underground [...] Fracked gas is not the low-carbon solution some suggest that it is and is incompatible with tackling the climate crisis.” In this episode we talk to Sunniva Taylor and Chris Walker who manage the Sustainability and Peace Programme and Quakers in Britain, and we hear from Stephen Lee about upcoming action led by Pendle Hill Quakers. On Saturday 6 May, many will be climbing Pendle Hill in Lancashire to protest against the effects of fracking, both locally and around the world. Quakers are known for worshipping in stillness and they will gather in a meeting for worship for witness. Find out more: www

Do you want to be a Peaceworker? The Quaker Peaceworker scheme funds one year placements in organisations in Britain working for peace at a national or international level. In this episode we talk to Steve Whiting, who manages the scheme, and to Philip Wood, one of this year’s peaceworkers, placed with Scientists for Global Responsibility. Carefully supported by Steve and a committee of Quakers, the Peaceworkers make a big contribution to the work for peace. More information at www.quaker.org.uk/jobs | www.quaker.org.uk/peaceworkers The closing date for receipt of application forms is Tuesday 2 May 2017 (9am). Interviews will be held on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 May 2017. We regret that we are unable to apply on a candidate’s behalf for a UK permit to work in this role. Hear more about how Mr Meanor wrote Think About It: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pCWbfAZYeQ Image: 2016-17 Peaceworkers

Ellis Brooks and Elizabeth Payne outline some of the topics coming up on Q:Witness, including fracking, the Quaker Housing Trust, stopping the arms fair and a Quaker response to forced migration. If you can’t wait for these episodes, check out www.quaker.org.uk/qpsw to find out more about the work of Quakers in Britain. If you have questions about the issues we’ve discussed or those coming up, or perhaps a topic you’d like us to cover, email Ellis on ellisb@quaker.org.uk

Explore the peace and justice work from the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI), an international programme coordinated by the World Council of Churches. EAPPI brings people from around the world to the West Bank to serve for 3 months as human rights monitors. We call them Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs). Keith Reeves, an EA from Yorkshire, offers eyewitness accounts of Israeli activists striving for a change and of house demolitions in the West Bank. Teresa Parker leads EAPPI in the UK and Ireland and gives an overview of the successes and challenges over its 15 year history. Find out more: Eyewitnessblogs.com http://www.quaker.org.uk/our-work/international-work/eappi Take action: tell the UK Government to recognise Palestine: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/174181 House demolition data from UNOCHA: http://www.ochaopt.org/content/protection-civilians-report-18-31-october-2016

In this episode we discuss peace education, specifically how teaching the skills and approaches of conflict resolution can have a transformative effect on individuals and communities. With the voices of young peacemakers and educators past and present, we look at the benefits and ongoing challenges. Featuring Isabel Cartwright from Quaker Peace & Social Witness; Tom Leimdorfer, who helped pioneer peace education in Britain and beyond; Sara Hagel, Director of Peacemakers – a Quaker peace education charity; and Kezia, a sixth form peer mediator. Find out more about peace education at: www.quaker.org.uk/peace-education www.peermediationnetwork.org.uk www.peacemakers.org.uk

Quakers work with other organisations, policy-makers and the public to rid the world of nuclear weapons. In this episode, we look back at the struggle against Trident renewal in 2016, then at the way forward as the United Nations begins to negotiate a new treaty banning the development, testing, production, financing, transferring, stockpiling, use and threat of use of any nuclear weapon. What role will the United Kingdom play, and what role can you play? Follow @DisarmQuaker on Twitter For info and resources: http://www.quaker.org.uk/our-work/peace/nuclear-disarmament Newsletters: http://www.quaker.org.uk/educate-disarm Take action: http://www.cnduk.org/ https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/175096

The current economic system has provided humanity with many material benefits. However those benefits have been unequally shared. In this episode we hear from Cait Crosse, the New Economy Project Manager in Quaker Peace & Social Witness. The project is enabling Quakers and others to articulate a vision of how the economy could be transformed. Cait shares what’s happening with the project and interviews Yuan Yang, Beijing correspondent for the Financial Times and founder of Rethinking Economics. Find out more: http://www.quaker.org.uk/new-economy http://www.rethinkeconomics.org/

Hear about the nonviolent grassroots movement standing up for human rights and a just peace in Kenya with Ezra Kigondu (Turning the Tide Kenya) and Laura Shipler Chico (Quaker Peace & Social Witness).

Introducing the new podcast about witness in action from Quakers in Britain. This tease explains what it's all about so you know to subscribe!