Events

Quaker-related events, in Paris or elsewhere

French Yearly Meeting 2021: Epistle

The 2021 assembly of Quakers in France took place in the “La Solitude” spiritual centre near Bordeaux from October 29th to November 1st. In their epistle, French Friends write of a “joyful and inspirational” weekend, “surrounded by a sea of vineyards.“
“We took as our challenge ‘How to advance our aims and beliefs in such a needy world,'” they add. “The vineyards reminded us that France is the third exporter of wine in the world, but also the third exporter of arms. We have work to do.“

Document available in both English and the original French via the Europe and Middle East website of the FWCC. See also the national “Quakers in France” website.

COP26: European Churches Launch Interfaith Campaign on Climate Change

“As leaders and peoples of English-speaking faith communities in Paris, London and Berlin, we feel compelled to respond to the climate crisis, which is afflicting the poor and vulnerable the most. Our children and generations to come will suffer and perish from our inaction. Rapid, transformative change is needed now to avert climate catastrophe. Let us lift up creation as world leaders meet for the UN climate conference in November.

Join us as we work together to shed light on the systemic and structural issues blocking a sustainable future and climate justice for all people, through reflection, prayer, and action.“

More info on the website of the American Church in Paris

The Fifth University for Peace, April 8-13 at the Paris Student Residence Centre

The fifth Peace University gathering at the “Cité Universitaire” student complex in southern Paris will focus on the world climate crisis and actions that need to be taken immediately to fight global warming and bring about unprecedented change to all aspects of society.

Among the six round-table gatherings and lectures planned, the one being held on in the evening of Tuesday April 9 at the Argentinian residence will focus on an interfaith approach.

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A Nobel Prize for Africa, and for Women

2011: Congolese women march from Paris to Brussels to protest against rape in the DR Congo. Photo Réveil FM International

Our Friend Freddy Mulongo has long been fighting for freedom, peace and human rights for his country of origin, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Along with other members of the Congolese exile community in France, he has notably denounced the widespread sexual crimes committed against women in the war-torn country. On December 10th, that work bore fruit with the award of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize to the Congolese surgeon Denis Mukwege, for his work treating women victims of rape and other forms of torture. Freddy Mulongo was at the award ceremony, as both a journalist and a peace activist.

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Paris, 1942: An Extraordinary Witness to the Deportation of Jews

A new book by Frédéric Anquetil tells the story of Annette Monod Leiris, a Quaker who was practically the only person able to help the thousands of Jews who were rounded up by the French Vichy authorities in July 1942, and detained in horrific conditions in a Parisian cycling stadium before being deported to the death camps.

Annette, whose role during the infamous “Vél d’Hiv” round-up is also shown in the 2010 French film “La Rafle“, went on after the war to work tirelessly for prisoners, and also helped set up the Association of Christians for the Abolition of Torture, or ACAT, which is still going strong today.

Frédéric Anquetil will be at the International Quaker Centre in Paris at 2:00 pm on Sunday, February 3, 2019 to give a talk about his book, “L’ange du Vél d’Hiv” (The Angel of the Vel d’Hiv round-up).

2018 Yearly Meeting of French Quakers

French Quakers held their 92nd National Assembly, or Yearly Meeting, from Saturday, October 27 to Tuesday, October 30 2018 in Paris
This year’s theme was “Despair and Confidence: Quaker Responses in this Time of Troubles”
Keynote speakers were Olivia Caeymaex, Peace Programme Lead at the Quaker Council for European Affairs in Brussels, and Paul Parker, “Recording Clerk” of British Yearly Meeting.
More info (in French) on the “Quakers in France” site

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