Lecture Series on Human Security

This series of lectures was arranged by the Peace and Social Witness Committee of the Quaker meeting in Jesus Lane, Cambridge. Quakers are active in a number of arenas of socio-political and economic concern, their actions springing directly from their faith. Their testimonies to peace, simplicity, equality and truth lead Quakers to be concerned about issues of global economic injustice with all the linked consequences of conflict, poverty, ill health and environmental degradation. We feel that these issues need to be considered systemically if there is to be any lasting change.

The findings of the UN Commission on Human Security show the interdependence of economic development and peace. Clearly this fits well with Quaker beliefs. Our committee decided to arrange a series of public lectures to share and debate these ideas, and has brought together five eminent speakers on topics related to human security:

The lectures took place at the Friends Meeting House, Jesus Lane

10th September: Anne Campbell MP

Anne Campbell is our Cambridge City MP, and spoke about issues of peace and security, exemplified by her trip to Gaza in Palestine.

8th October: Chris Emerson

Chris Emerson is Regional Director of Christian Aid, and spoke on development issues, illustrated by his recent visit to Bolivia.

22nd October: Professor Robert Hinde, St John’s College.

Robert Hinde has written on the bases of religion and morality in human nature, and on the causes of international war. He spoke on the title: “Violence and War: why do people go to fight?”. Another paper by Robert Hinde is available on the Preparing for Peace Initiative Website of Westmorland General Meeting.

29th October: Dr Matthew Hunt

Matthew Hunt is Environmental Management Officer for Cambridgeshire County Council; he spoke about climate change, its effects on our region, and how we can work to minimise them.

12th November: Dr Flavio Comim

Flavio Comim is Director of the Sustainability Centre of Cambridge University; he spoke about sustainability and the concept of human security.

The Peace, Social Witness and Outreach Committee of Jesus Lane Meeting planned a follow-up to the highly successful series of lectures on "Human Security".

Tuesday 19th April: John Lampen

"Quakerly work in Uganda: the story of a concern"
John is a Quaker who works in peace education and conflict resolution in Britain, Uganda, Ukraine and the former Yugoslavia.

Friday 29th April: Diana Francis

"Deconstructing the myth of war's inevitability and pursuing non-violent approaches to conflict"
Diana is a Quaker writer and speaker, ex-chair of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, and author of "Rethinking War and Peace".

Friday 13th May: Stewart Hemsley

"Recovering the non-violent Jesus"
Stewart is Chair of Pax Christi UK, and referred in his talk to his recent work as an observer in the Palestinian elections.

Friday 20th May: Rachel Brett

"Building Consensus Against the Use of Child Soldiers"
Rachel Brett works at the Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva to engage national representatives in discussing and furthering human rights and refugee issues.

Friday 3rd June: Martina Weitsch

"Enhancing EU Peace-Building Capacities"
Martina spoke about her work at QCEA (Quaker Council for European Affairs).

Friday 10th June: Lisa and Vas Shend'ge

"Beyond Demonstration.....Putting Peace in Power"
Lisa and Vas want to encourage the establishment of a voice and a focus for Peace in national/international decision-making institutions: political (a Peace Party); governmental (a Ministry for Peace; an EU Commissioner for Peace), and educational (a Faculty of Peace).

Friday 17th June: Sue Gilmurray

"Making a Noise for Peace"
Sue is a singer-songwriter who has used music both inside and outside Churches to support the peace movement. She has recorded songs for the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship and the Movement for the Abolition of War; she gave a performance of her songs and talk about her work.