AFSC
Throughout our more than 100 years, AFSC has grown and shifted to address arising needs as well as systemic inequities. Based on the Quaker belief in the divine light of each person, we have been at the forefront of many anti-war, peace, and social justice global movements and local efforts. Our new strategic plan builds on this legacy and maintains our role working at the frontiers of urgent peace and justice issues.
Hundreds of staff, governance volunteers, Friends, partners, and members of the communities with whom we work joined in a collective examination of the state of the world and AFSC’s role in it. These opportunities for listening and authentic engagement fostered a stronger AFSC community and a bold plan for our work. Through our planning we affirmed our commitments to more actively embrace an anti-racism/anti-oppression agenda and gender justice/feminist principles.
From this effort, AFSC identified three program areas on which we will center our efforts, with justice at the heart of all our work:
Just and sustainable peace
AFSC is committed to building societies that divest from systems of punishment and violence and invest in alternatives that enable sustainable peace, open civic space, promote transformation and healing, and prioritize human dignity and rights. This work includes driving divestment from militarism; dismantling systems of incarceration, surveillance, and policing; advancing civil rights and liberties; fostering resilient and cohesive communities; and building systems rooted in transformation and healing.
Just economies
AFSC is challenging systems of economic power that deny human dignity and a sustainable planet. In advocacy and action, AFSC supports community efforts and policies to build an economy grounded in the values of cooperation, equity, and climate justice.
Just responses to forced displacement and migration
The world is facing the largest displacement crisis since World War II. In response, AFSC is stepping up our organizing and advocacy for humane migration laws and movements, demilitarizing borders, and providing humanitarian assistance to people on the move, while continuing to invest in community efforts led by migrants and refugees.
“In our new plan, we will build on our historic strengths of bringing people together to foster new connections and understandings, providing clear-eyed analysis and research, and strengthening community members’ roles in decision making and advocacy” says Phil Lord, who recently completed his term of service as clerk of our Board of Directors.
AFSC General Secretary Joyce Ajlouny says, “We will continually be guided by those affected by conflict and injustice. Anchored by our Quaker values, we will work with others to courageously and creatively challenge oppressive global systems, influence narratives, policies and practices, and advance just and peaceful solutions.”
Quaker values of integrity and stewardship also lead AFSC to new goals within the organization, including better engaging Quaker communities and youth in work we do, enhancing our ability to demonstrate the impact of our programs, ensuring we have sustainable and diversified resources to support our work, and strengthening the inclusion, cohesion, accountability, and justice within our organization. Our values and community discussions also led to a renewed focus on climate justice and sustainability in the strategic plan.
The stakes of the coming decade are high, with communities recovering socially and economically from COVID-19, climate change causing continued forced displacement, growing authoritarianism, and rising, racial and geopolitical tensions. The work of AFSC remains vital as ever during this time, and our strategic plan positions us well to continue creating a more just and peaceful world.