Concordis International team in South Darfur Photo credit: Concordis International
PHILADELPHIA (February 24, 2026) The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW) have nominated Concordis International for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
Concordis has worked for two decades in fragile conflict zones, supporting communities in finding workable solutions that address the root causes of conflict and contribute to lasting peace and economic development. Their vision is that everyone affected by armed conflict should have the tools they need to resolve conflict peacefully. Today Concordis is active in Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic, South Sudan and Sudan, where local peacebuilding is curbing the worst excesses of war, enabling people to grow food in the face of famine, and strengthen resilient in response to climate change.
According to the nominating letter from AFSC and QPSW, “Concordis International’s commitment to peace is not new, brief or transactional… Their humility, respect, enthusiasm, and consistent promotion of their local partners over themselves is an international model for this millennium that AFSC/ QPSW hope to lift up directly and/or through the committee’s consideration for the Nobel Peace Prize.”
Peter Marsden, CEO of Concordis, said, “We are truly grateful for the trust in us that AFSC and QPSW have shown. More importantly, we’re grateful for their commitment to highlighting and applauding the unsung work of awesome local peacebuilders. These are the bold souls who work for peace where conflict is fought and felt. They are the ones who take huge risks in reaching out across conflict divides, standing between people who are fighting, and transforming conflict to create a more peaceful and prosperous future. It is our privilege to work alongside them. It is on that basis we accept this nomination on behalf of Concordis’ national staff and our network of amazing community peacebuilders.”
As Nobel laureates, AFSC and QPSW have the privilege of making Nobel nominations. In 1947, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and British Friends Service Council (now QPSW) accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of Quakers worldwide. The prize recognized 300 years of Quaker efforts to heal rifts and oppose war and in particular the work done by the two recipient Quaker organizations during and after the two world wars to feed starving children and help Europe rebuild itself.
“We are honored to nominate Concordis International for the Nobel Peace Prize”, said Joyce Ajlouny, General Secretary for AFSC. “A century of experience has shown us, time and again, that peace does not come at the barrel of a gun. And while diplomacy between world leaders is important, it is the tireless efforts of everyday people working to resolve conflicts and address injustices that truly builds lasting peace.”
The nominating organizations were particularly impressed with Concordis International’s model, which promotes active participation from everyone impacted by the conflict. They work creatively to give voice to people and groups who might otherwise be marginalized due to gender, age or ethnicity. They also include those who take up arms as well as those who chose not to, national governments as well as civil society.
“We are delighted to nominate Concordis International for the Nobel Peace Prize,” said Oliver Robertson, head of witness and worship for Quakers in Britain. “Their work reminds us that true, lasting peace comes from the courageous, patient work of local people who heal wounds, build understanding, and bridge divides.”
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The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) promotes a world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. Guided by the Quaker belief in the divine light within each person, we nurture the seeds of change and the respect for human life to fundamentally transform our societies and institutions. We work with people and partners worldwide, of all faiths and backgrounds, to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.
Quaker Peace and Social Witness (QPSW) works at a national level on behalf of Quakers in Britain, such as running peacebuilding projects overseas, campaigning on behalf of Quakers, and providing resources to enable local Quakers to take action.
Concordis International is an international non-governmental organization (INGO) based in the UK, operating in the Central African Region: Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Sudan, Abyei and South Sudan. We are peacebuilders. Concordis staff support those who live where conflict is fought and felt. We only go where we are invited. We have twenty years of experience – our expertise lies in building trust with all conflict parties and bringing them together to have those difficult conversations. We work hand in hand with communities, helping them find workable solutions that address the root causes of conflict and contribute to lasting peace and economic development. We are committed to finding sustainable solutions that benefit all those involved: women and youth, as well as men; local administrative authorities, community leaders, and civil society; those who choose to take up arms and those who don't. We engage for the long term to build trusting relationships and leave a legacy that enables future conflict to be managed peacefully within the community.