Hubs for the FWCC World Plenary Meeting 2024

The 2024 World Plenary Meeting (WPM) will take place on site in South Africa and online. (See more general information about the WPM and register here) Some Friends will join the WPM online as individuals, and others in groups. We are describing groups of people joining the WPM (and the locations they are joining from) as hubs. Everyone who plans to attend your hub should be encouraged to register so they have access to advance materials here: Registration

A hub is any group of Friends joining the World Plenary Meeting online from another location, from a single internet connection. The group size could be from 3 to 300+, but in many cases will be about 10 or 20 people. They may participate in the complete WPM from August 5-12, 2024 or just in some sessions. You can register to become a hub here

What is needed to be a hub?

Firstly, a hub needs more than two people wanting to join the World Plenary Meeting from another place or country. On registration, we will ask for at least one person to be named as a facilitator/elder for the hub, and a second to be the tech lead. There will be a ‘tech rehearsal’ for tech leads prior to the World Plenary Meeting, and regular check-ins to see how it is going.For larger groups of people, we recommend that a hub has access to:

  • a projector, large screen or monitor
  • a laptop, or tablet
  • a reliable internet, WiFi or data connection
  • a reliable supply of electricity
  • speakers
  • a web camera
  • a microphone

A group of up to about five people could gather around a computer or tablet. They could use the computer screen, microphone, camera and speaker. For the best experience of the WPM, a larger group would need a larger screen, external speakers and an external microphone.

How can I receive support as a Hub?

Limited technical support, for example on connectivity issues, will be provided to hubs through by the World Plenary Meeting Tech Working Group. The contact information for support persons will be provided after your registration as a hub is approved.

  • If you require interpretation for you event, be aware that the World Plenary Meeting official languages include Spanish and Swahili. If you need interpretation in another language, we do recommend finding a local person able to attend your hub and participate in simultaneous interpretation during the event

Young Adult Development fund applications due January 15

Applications to the Young Adult Development fund are due January 15 2020!

This Fund was created from Quaker Youth Pilgrimage monies, and the hope is that it will generate similarly powerful experiences of deep spiritual connection and encouragement for Young Adult Friends.

Please consider applying for events and projects that benefit and strengthen the network of Young Adult Friends around the world according to the objectives and requirements. This could include anything from running a Quaker leadership training course to planning a World Gathering of Young Friends (maybe connected to the next World Plenary Meeting in South Africa in 2023!). We have a preference for engaging in partnerships and for working across theological and cultural differences and across Sections.

In order for the application to be successful, it must meet the following objectives of the program:

  1. Deepening the religious experience of participants by challenging them to engage outside their known Quaker environments and appreciating different Quaker cultures.
  2. Training in Quaker processes and practice of taking on Quaker leadership roles – pastoral care, eldership, clerkship, etc.
  3. Sustaining and building community, fostering authentic friendships among participants. Encouraging Young Adult Friends to organise events that give them time to bond.
  4. Exploring theological differences that make up Quaker diversity. Encouraging engagement in formulating and articulating the evolving expression of Quaker faith for a new generation of Friends.
  5. Encouraging participation in the leadership of the home meeting/church and strengthening the impact of Young Adult Friends’ voices in their communities.

You can find the more information and the application online at: https://fwcc.world/areas-of-work/supporting-young-friends/young-adult-development-fund/

FWCC and Sustainability (Video)

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The December QuakerSpeak – FWCC partnership video focuses on the work that started with the Kabarak Call and led to our sustainability minute from the 2016 World Plenary in Pisac, Peru.

The Kabarak Call for Peace and Ecojustice was approved on April 24, 2012 at the Sixth World Conference Friends, held at Kabarak University near Nakuru, Kenya. It was the culmination of the FWCC World Consultation on Global Change which was held in 2010 and 2011.

In January 2016, the FWCC World Plenary Meeting approved the Pisac Sustainability Minute proposed by the Consultation on Sustaining Life on Earth. “This FWCC Plenary Meeting also asks all Yearly Meetings to initiate at least two concrete actions on sustainability within the next 12 months. These may build on existing projects of individuals or monthly meetings or they may be new initiatives. We ask that they encourage Young Friends to play key roles. We ask that meetings minute the progress and results, so as to share them with FWCC and Quaker meetings.”

 

If your meeting, church, or group is responding to the 2016 Sustainability Minute, please let us know how by filling out this brief form.

One way FWCC Section of the Americas has responded to this minute is by creating a Green Endowment Fund, which will invest in companies that are working responsibly towards peace and ecojustice. This new fund seeks contributions from Friends who wish to help ensure the ongoing support of the Section’s work, with assurance that their gift will be invested in a fund that is screened for Quaker values and is fossil fuel free, with a portion of the portfolio specifically invested in alternative energy and green technology. Click here to make a contribution to this new fund – select Other and specify the Green Endowment Fund under Purpose.

The Quaker Religious Education Collaborative has produced materials for those interested in using the video as part of religious ed or first day classes – or other presentations!

Additional links and resources: