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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the devastation from the war have shocked people worldwide. The aggressive violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and direct attacks against civilians have challenged the international community, as well as Quakers and other pacifists, to weigh how countries like the United States can best respond.  

Does this conflict—and Russia’s threat of nuclear escalation—call into question the Quaker peace testimony that denies outward war for any reason? How are Friends directly impacted by the war responding?

Tim Gee, general secretary of the Friends World Committee for Consultation, and Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, the director of the Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva, traveled through Eastern Europe this fall to explore these questions. Join us on Wednesday, Oct.26 at 3:00 p.m. EDT to learn more about what they saw and reflect on the role that Quakers can play as peacebuilders as the war escalates.

Speakers

Tim Gee

Tim Gee, General Secretary of Friends World Committee for Consultation

Tim Gee is the incoming general secretary for the Friends World Committee for Consultation. His term begins in Jan. 2022. He has worked for Friends of the Earth, Christian Aid, Quaker Peace & Social Witness, and Amnesty International. He has written for publications including The Guardian, New Internationalist, and the Independent. His fourth book, Open for Liberation: An Activist Reads the Bible, was published in May 2022.

Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge

Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge

Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge is a remarkable South African Friend, peacebuilder, activist, and policymaker. She is perhaps the only Quaker and pacifist to have found themselves second-in-command of their country’s defense forces. Nozizwe served as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Deputy Minister of Defense, and Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of South Africa.

Moderator: Bridget Moix

Bridget Moix

Bridget Moix is the fifth General Secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL). She also leads two other Quaker organizations affiliated with FCNL: Friends Place on Capitol Hill and FCNL Education Fund. Bridget joined FCNL in January 2022. She brings 25 years of work on international peace and conflict issues, focusing on U.S. foreign policy.