Annual Report 2014

Your Quaker Voice in Europe George Thurley, Sevasti Christoforou, Alexandra Bosbeer, Gordon Matthews and Andrew Lane

The Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA) was founded in 1979 to promote the values of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in the European context. Our purpose is to express a Quaker vision in matters of peace, human rights, economic justice, and sustainability. QCEA is based in Brussels and is an international, not‐for‐profit organisation under Belgian Law.

Table of Contents

Message from the QCEA Representative 3

QCEA on Peace 4

QCEA on Economic Justice and Sustainability 5

QCEA on Democratic Governance and Human Rights 6

QCEA Communications 7

Reflections 8

Treasurer's Report 11

Financial Statements 12

Balance Sheet 13

QCEA people in 2014 15 3 QCEA Annual Report 2014

Eventful Service

2014 was an eventful year in Brussels. We had the Matthews, who as Office Manager acts as the ‘Quaker European Parliament elections in May, and then a new face’ of QCEA to many who contact us. College of Commissioners whose organisational diagram changed from a flat one to a structure with This was a very productive year, as you will see in the two levels of Vice Presidents. programme reports.

Here in Quaker House, QCEA had a small staff team in QCEA is able to increase its impact in relation to its the office. Our work is directed both towards the small size through our collaboration with other institutions through advocacy, and towards Quakers organisations in networks. We are valued for having an around Europe through providing information and alternative view and for being able to work at the facilitating engagement in democracy at the European junction between issues. Many of the issues of concern level. QCEA’s important contribution as ‘the Quaker to Quakers are rather technical at the EU policy level. voice in Europe’ is founded on a base of hundreds of We have the expertise to contribute and are valued for supporters who write letters, raise funds, and offer our collaborative style. QCEA is also valued for the their time and simple Friendship to our staff team. name ‘Quaker’ which carries with it connotations of integrity and clear thinking. The service of the staff The office here in Brussels is often a place of continues to build this reputation. movement and growth. In January, we were joined by Andrew Lane, who brought his cheerful outreach skills Alexandra Bosbeer, Representative to the role of Deputy Representative, and Gordon

“…it is the work of going out of ourselves which we accomplish amid light; lost in another than ourselves we incline and move towards our own beatitude." ‐John Ruysbroeck, 14th Century QCEA Annual Report 2014 4

Peace A Europe active in peacebuilding and resistant to militarism

Peace is an essential element of a just world. Quakers are one of the historic peace churches, and that is why QCEA works with the institutions of the EU to encourage progress towards a world free of war and of the threat of war. The role of the European Union has become increasingly important in world affairs: the EU currently has 18 overseas operations including both civilian peacebuilding and military deployments. In recent years the EU has increased military cooperation, including on the development of drones and supporting the arms trade. During 2014, QCEA has criticised these approaches and called on the European Union to reject militarism in favour of internal security and cyber security. We aim for the diplomacy and the 'soft power' that attracts and EU to build fewer walls and more bridges. fosters cooperation. Promoting structures of peace

We do not just criticise war. QCEA has promoted ideas that help build peaceful societies, such as the global peace index, gender equality, and institutions for peaceful dialogue. A particular highlight was our December report giving a cautious welcome to the new European Institute of Peace while warning that this new institution should not divert funding from existing peace initiatives.

QCEA cooperates with our partners to advocate on issues which are drivers of conflict, especially with regard to funding and trade. For example, during 2014, QCEA met with the European Investment Bank directors to discuss incorporation of learning from A timely Quaker voice for peace their own complaints procedure and to offer advice on the Bank's revised transparency policy. Being located in Brussels allows QCEA to respond to changes at the institutions and new policy discussions. Headlines: Our work on peace Many QCEA supporters have taken part in 'Action • The European Institute of Peace: a new initiative Alerts' on peace, contacting their representatives to for mediation and dialogue help ensure that a resolution supporting Palestinian statehood was passed in the European Parliament, • Britain may sell its shares in peace and to call for the new European Commission Vice • New plans to increase EU military research funding President responsible for foreign policy to be someone • EU militarism: It’s time to scrutinise old ideas who would work for peace. about security During 2014, QCEA produced publications outlining • A culture of peace: The Council of Europe has a part to play more peaceful alternatives to draft EU strategies on

“There is no security except in creating situations in which people do not want to harm you.” — James G. Vail 1953 5 QCEA Annual Report 2014 Economic Justice and Sustainability

With concerns about the wealth of Europe, and a Headlines: Our blogs on sense of competition perhaps with other areas of the world, the current European Commission is focussing environment and economics very much on ‘jobs and growth’. QCEA continues to • Maintaining a Quaker voice in a “growth and jobs” narrative promote human well‐being instead of growth focussed on Gross Domestic Product per capita. When promises • Energy and (in)security are made of more jobs, we ask what kind of jobs and • Trading for injustice • Liberating people instead of trade • An uncessary tradition: The originas of the Investor State Dispute Settlement mechanism

One major issue in 2014 was the potential threat to democratic governance from certain elements of free trade agreements which were (and still are, in the case of the US) being negotiated between the EU and with both the US and Canada. The investor state dispute settlement tribunals have been revised in the free trade deal with Canada, but we still fear a chilling effect on the freedom of governments to legislate in the public interest. Examples abound in a joint publication on how the investor state dispute how secure they might be, for example. We reviewed settlement mechanism is likely to play out in the the similarities of solutions to youth unemployment to finalised and yet‐to‐be‐ratified free trade deal those proposed ‐ and found to be too weak to bring between the EU and Canada. Citizen engagement is solutions ‐ in the 1980s. We promote consideration of crucial: we provided a short description of the free other important aspects of human well‐being which trade agreements, and a briefing paper advocating an include the natural environment and economic exit clause for the agreement with the US. The equality. We envisage a shift toward a wholly importance of this work can be seen in the fact that different economic system. over 150,000 citizens and organisations responded to a European Commission consultation on the investor Economic growth is often assumed to require cheap state dispute settlement mechanism. energy, so we also commented on the Europe 2020 energy goals, holding out that increasing employment Headlines: Our publications on and reducing our load on the natural world can both economic justice be achieved through increasing energy efficiency. The • A sunset clause for TTIP need for a robust directive on waste reduction and • Transatlantic Trade and investment partnership ‐ recycling (circular economy) was another area of what is it? QCEA’s work.

“Love your neighbour in the next generation, care for the environment." Charles B. Lamb, Ireland YM 1993 QCEA Annual Report 2014 6 Democratic Governance

QCEA envisages an EU in which citizens feel engaged, and in which civil society is given the space to express a variety of views and challenge those in power. In 2014, we hosted a dozen Friends in our biennial study tour, during which they visited the EU institutions, the European Court of Human Rights, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe during a debate on Ukraine. “This study tour has been a very good experience and I am learning a lot,” said one of the participants.

Our six action alerts in 2014 stimulated Friends to engage with their Members of the European Parliament and to make submissions to relevant EU European Commission and the European Investment officials on issues that Quakers care about, including Bank on transparency, best practice in stakeholder economic justice and energy goals. QCEA staff made consultation, impact assessment, and corporate social submissions regarding how citizens might best be responsibility. A guide for citizens to getting involved engaged: in 2014, we wrote formal submissions to the with the EU is on our webpage.

Human Rights

We work in partnership with several networks, formal and informal, on projects in which we share goals with other NGOs. For example, the Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN) is a We work for peaceful societies collaboration of more than forty human rights within EU Member States as organisations working at the EU level. QCEA recently played a significant part in an HRDN campaign in well as between them, and the which candidates for the European Parliament need for protection of human pledged to promote human rights is highlighted with the rights in their political work rise of far‐right ideologies in (see stand4humanrights.org). Nearly 200 candidates signed some parts of Europe. QCEA is the pledge, and 36 from 12 contributing to the prevention Member States were elected. of hate‐motivated crime with Our on‐going relationships with those who were elected comparative case study as MEPs means we can discuss opportunities for the research in hate crime policy in Parliament to stand for human rights both inside and different parts of the EU which outside the EU. One issue is human rights in aims at identifying preventative business: QCEA advocates for corporations to work for human well‐being rather than only seeking to and restorative methods of maximise profit and dividends for shareholders. reducing hate crime.

“Truth spoken without love is devoid of the essential element which transforms human action." ‐Geneva Monthly Meeting 1962 We work in partnership with several networks, formal and informal, on projects in which we share goals with other NGOs. For example, the Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN) is a collaboration of more than forty human rights organisations working at the EU level. QCEA recently played a significant part in an HRDN campaign in which candidates for the European Parliament pledged to promote human rights in their political work (see stand4humanrights.org). Nearly 200 candidates signed the pledge, and 36 from 12 Member States were elected. Our on‐going relationships with those who were elected as MEPs means we can discuss opportunities for the Parliament to stand for human rights both inside and outside the EU. One issue is human rights in business: QCEA advocates for corporations to work for human well‐being rather than only seeking to maximise profit and dividends for shareholders.

7 QCEA Annual Report 2014

Communications

QCEA’s work relies on our ability to communicate In 2014, QCEA doubled our Facebook followers and with Quakers all around Europe, as well as with our earned more than 1000 followers on Twitter. Many partners and the people we speak with in the MEPs and Commission officials have Twitter accounts: institutions of the European Union and the Council of some follow QCEA and a few have responded to QCEA Europe. 2014 was the year in which we launched a tweets. new logo and a redesigned website.

QCEA's previous and new logo Face‐to‐face communication remains a key method of Our newsletter Around Europe was also redesigned, outreach, however: there is nothing quite like being including the addition of summaries of articles so able to ask questions and hear more about the issues readers can garner the gist of our work within a few which are the subject of our advocacy. QCEA staff moments. The 'in brief' sections also lend themselves spoke to Friends all over Europe in 2014. And there especially to translation: they are translated by have been a number of opportunities for QCEA staff German and Dutch supporters and published on the to show the 'ministry of hospitality' and to speak QCEA website. about our work. One such occasion was an autumn reception for staff of the European External Action Service hosted also by our colleagues in the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office. In December, human rights organisations from all over Brussels gathered at Quaker House for end‐of‐the‐year networking.

Around Europe has a new look

Over ten thousand people viewed the QCEA blog in 2014 – at an average of 29 per day ‐ where 28 new blog posts were published. 'Britain may sell its shares Sevi Christoforou and Claus Siebeneicher in peace' was read by 307 people in a single day. working on the new website photos

“…wars and persecution, unemployment and poverty, are the results of the failure of society as a whole to bear its responsibilities…" –Roger Cowen Wilson 1949 QCEA Annual Report 2014 8 Reflections

In one way or another I have been associated with Contemplating the wide range of subjects that QCEA QCEA since the mid‐nineteen‐eighties, first as a manages to work on with minimal resources, it member of the bureau, then as treasurer and finally astonishes me that so few Quakers in Europe seem to as clerk from 2008 until the spring Council meeting of realize what a precious resource they have at their 2014. For me, as a Friend living in Brussels there was disposal if they wish to understand, from a Quakerly never any doubt that there must be a Quaker perspective, what is being done at European level, organization prepared to put forward our testimonies often in all our names. Nor do many Friends across to the decision‐makers, power‐brokers and influence‐ Europe appear to understand that QCEA gives them a wielders of the European institutions, not only in voice so that their concerns may be brought to the Brussels but also in Strasbourg and Luxembourg. And attention of the decision‐makers. All of the principal it was clear to me, as an official of a European issues facing our societies have a European, and often institution, that I was led to play my part in Quaker even a global dimension and Quakers have no choice advocacy at European level. but to work at every level where power over people's wellbeing, their safety and their environment is There is an established custom among Friends of exercised. Issues of peace, of justice, of human promoting our values by urging governments and rights, of equality, of respect for our planet and its other political authorities to do what is right rather availability to future generations have become more than what is convenient, expedient or advantageous complicated in a globalized world and Quaker and when new supranational layers of governance concerns must be pursued at an appropriate level. come into being we must adapt to this situation. This was the reasoning behind the creation of the Quaker I am gratified to have had an opportunity to play a United Nations Offices in New York and Geneva and in small part in QCEA's essential work and as I move 1979 the same logic applied in Brussels. For Friends it away from my close involvement in its affairs I pray has never seemed enough to rely solely on prayer to that Friends and friends in all parts of Europe's make the world a better place and the commitment mainland and islands may see more clearly what a of the Quakers who established QCEA reflected an Quaker voice in Europe can do for them, and then ask enduring tradition. themselves what they can do for QCEA.

Over the 35 years of its existence QCEA has grown Richard Condon, Clerk through April 2014 both in the range of concerns that it pursues and in the ambition with which it campaigns, even though its resources have not significantly increased. More and more European parliamentarians, members of the Council of Europe's parliamentary assembly and officials of the European institutions have become aware of our presence and have listened to our arguments. If they have not always gone on to pursue the actions that we favour, we nonetheless know that our concerns have been recognised. QCEA has become an established presence – but never part of the establishment.

“Forget every idea of right and wrong any class room ever taught you Because an empty heart, a tormented mind, unkindness, jealousy and fear are always testimony you have been completely fooled!" ‐Hafiz 9 QCEA Annual Report 2014 Bedding down in a time of change

2014 was a year of change for Europe, with a new and Quaker concerns in Europe. Under her leadership, our more radical European Parliament elected and a new staff have built their expertise in our various European Commission beginning its work. The programme areas, drawn on their existing knowledge prioritisation of economic growth above all else and skills, and carefully crafted publications and produced some worrying trends, such as the push to submissions that are designed to be readily useable promote EU arms sales and the reduced emphasis on and accessible by European officials and local Quakers environmental concerns. And peace in Europe, the alike. QCEA has also continued to make use of new great hope and highly successful aim of the European and old media to reach out to our supporters, and to Project, came under strain with violence in Ukraine. others around the world who may otherwise not know 2014 was a year when the need for a Quaker voice in of our work. Europe, calling for peace and sustainability, was more important than ever. Having spent several years working at the Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva, I have seen up close Changes were also happening within QCEA. The newly the effectiveness of Quaker advocacy and the change created position of Deputy Representative provided that can be wrought through persistent and informed much‐needed support for our advocacy work, lobbying over many years. A great strength of the enabling staff to share programme areas and better Quaker approach is that because our core funding focus on our various topics of concern. We welcomed comes reliably from the various Quaker Meetings as our new Office Manager Gordon Matthews, an old across Europe and beyond, we have the time and friend of QCEA who has already worked for us on two space to consider what we are being called to do and occasions. These roles were accompanied, later in the to work on ‘hidden’ issues that are not popular or year, by our regular changeover of one‐year well‐known. This flexibility is a great privilege and Programme Assistants. Additionally, there was a gift from our supporters and something I am keen for change of clerk (chair of the governing committee), us to make best use of; I hope that Quaker Meetings when I took over from Richard Condon. and trusts will continue to grant us this freedom.

Alongside this change was continuity, with our Representative Alexandra Bosbeer continuing her Oliver Robertson, Clerk from April 2014 work as our head of office and chief advocate of

I am very impressed by the QCEA input to the responsible for assembling and formulating it consultation, and I am filled with admiration (together with all those references) on behalf

and gratitude for all the obviously painstaking of Friends... work on the set of answers that were included with your e‐mail. Please accept and/or pass I frequently re‐read when I was formulating my own response. on my sincere gratitude to those in QCEA David Corry

“We must learn to deal creatively with conflict, both within the Society of Friends and between rival communities and nations.” — Sydney D. Bailey 1993 QCEA Annual Report 2014 10

Different ways to serve

Some time after finishing my term as QCEA Representative, I joined the QCEA British Committee, ending up as Assistant Clerk. This tries to provide a platform for making QCEA better known and better supported in Britain. Some Committee members have been able to do more than me in speaking to Quaker gatherings – when one does so and explains the EU, the reaction is, why has no one told us all this before. However, I have been able to set up an email network of QCEA Correspondents in Local Meetings, and I ran a short Brussels study tour in a year when QCEA was unable to do it. We attracted some Faith in Europe members as well as Friends. Martin Touwen QCEA was and is unique. We could not 'die on every cross'. What we could do was marshal our testimonies and take a view of what mattered and It's about 30 years now that I know QCEA. It started where we could make a difference. Sometimes it was when I was in EMEYF and we were allowed to use best to join an existing 'platform'. There, we might Quaker House Brussels as a base to organise the first be asked, what do the Quakers think? European young Friends gatherings. What I still find special is QCEA's ability to combine 'Quaker' themes: I am now drawn into QCEA’s workings even more peace and human justice and sharing of resources and ‐ closely, as I am currently the Council Alternate for the last years ‐ sustainability. QCEA works on Member both to the British Committee Clerk and to projects which always have more than one angle. In the representative of Britain Yearly Meeting itself. this way, QCEA expresses our spiritual experience as However, my project of looking for support to the life being whole/holy. foundations that finance European Studies in American universities is still on the drawing board. I have long found it interesting that QCEA is regularly the first to pick up a theme and provide a comparison Richard Seebohm of how things are handled within the European countries ‐ and what could be learned from each other.

As being European and Quaker are both two key attributes of my personal identity, I always felt connected to QCEA's idea of putting faith in action. I have been an associate member for years and have been happy to serve QCEA, on the Council, on the Dutch support group, and now on the finance committee. Martin Touwen

Richard Seebohm at the Bath Yearly Meeting Gathering

We can lay claim to the creative possibilities that are still ours, burlesque the injustice of unfair laws, and force evil out of hiding behind the façade of legitimacy… ‐ Walter Wink It's about 30 years now that I know QCEA. It started when I was in EMEYF and we were allowed to use Quaker House Brussels as a base to organise the first European young Friends gatherings. What I still find special is QCEA's ability to combine 'Quaker' themes: peace and human justice and sharing of resources and ‐ for the last years ‐ sustainability. QCEA works on projects which always have more than one angle. In this way, QCEA expresses our spiritual experience as life being whole/holy.

I have long found it interesting that QCEA is regularly the first to pick up a theme and provide a comparison of how things are handled within the European countries ‐ and what could be learned from each other.

11 QCEA Annual Report 2014 Treasurer's Report

It is a pleasure for me to review QCEA’s financial better support than we had dared to hope for when outcome for 2014. That it was, operationally, a busy the budget was produced in October 2013. year is evidenced elsewhere in this annual report, but in establishment terms it was without instability. The expenditure has been below budget far more Financially, we have much for which to be grateful. than above. The reduction in fuel use is satisfactory Amongst my duties in this report will be some environmentally as well as financially. The much explanation of how it is that a forecast deficit of lower cost of office equipment is thanks to kind and €40,000 has turned into an actual surplus of over expert help from volunteers. €26,000. There are two sides to this: higher income of almost €34,000 and expenditure reduced by more Our landlord, Britain Yearly Meeting, is supportive than €32,000. now and into the future, with a renewed lease of Quaker House, still at a very reasonable rent – for the On the income side, one of the important payment of which we thank British Committee. We improvements was in all classes of subscriptions. This also thank Xavier Verhaeghe for his expert support goes beyond simply the financial increase of 42% over when Quaker House needs it. 2013 as it signifies greater numbers of supporters of QCEA amongst European Friends. British Committee is It is very good that our Representative, Alexandra largely responsible for this and we are duly grateful. Bosbeer, now has the support of her deputy, Andrew The second heading under which budgeted income Lane. They, our office manager Gordon Matthews and was surpassed is contributions from Friends in most our programme assistants are an effective team and yearly meetings. Up by 18% on 2013 and the highest deserve our thanks for their hard work and since 2006, they are a testimony to the understanding dedication. of Friends that QCEA deserves the means to continue to work for them. We note particularly that not only On behalf of the staff and the Council, I thank yearly meetings as a whole but also local and monthly Friends everywhere for their support, both moral and meetings and other groupings within them have financial. I particularly thank the Yearly Meetings and donated generously: thank you all very much. their members, our support groups and their committees and the several independent donors for Trusts, too, are to be thanked: the Joseph Rowntree funding QCEA year after year. Although 2015 looks Charitable Trust for its grant continuing at € 50,000 like being a more expensive year, if the level of and also the CB & HH Taylor Trust (£3,000=€3,781), funding of 2014 can be at least maintained in the the WF Southall Trust (£6,000=€7,563) and future then so, too, will the representation by QCEA (£4,000=€4,970) from another trust. In addition, we of the Quaker Voice in Europe. had project funding (£4,005=€4,976) for work on hate crime from the Yew Tree Fund. Overall this was far Tom Heydeman

“Any great change must expect opposition because it shakes the very foundation of privilege." ‐Lucretia Mott, 1853. QCEA Annual Report 2014 12 Financial Statements

Income Description 2014 2013

Sales of publications 189 209 Study Tours 7,322 0 Project‐related income 4,976 0 Biennial conference 217 14,762 Hirings: meeting rooms and short‐term overnights 21,691 20,947 Lettings: income from staff accomodation 12,490 12,900 Around Europe subscriptions 863 809 Associate membership 4,413 2,658 Supporting memberships 2,890 2,286 British Quaker donations 71,606 66,605 Dutch Quaker donations 37,849 38,253 German Quaker donations 5,422 1,562 Swiss Quaker donations 3,248 2,783 Donations Belgium and Luxembourg Quakers 2,506 1,250 French Quaker donations 350 0 Swedish Quaker donations 8,590 7,088 Irish Quaker donations 8,188 1,523 Danish Quaker donations 134 268 Norwegian Quaker Donations 4,178 296 Other Quaker Donations 217 976 Foundations and trusts 16,314 8,844 JRCT 50,000 50,000 Other Donations 37 1,429 Support from Brussels Capital Region for QH 0 25,448 Reimbursement from insurance claims 0 3,768 Reimbursement for office operating costs (Telephone,etc.) 3,780 1,836 Reimbursement for transportation costs 543 0 Reimbursement for QHB expenses 9,397 1,281 Bank interest (net) 18 1,101

Total income 277,428 268,881

Expenditure Summary Description 2014 2013

Project Expenditure ‐ direct shown below 9,089 Quaker events: study tour and conference 8,410 Advocacy projects 4,533

Printing and Mailing Publications 5,682 4,735 Quaker House Renovations 5,736 23,827 Quaker House Costs 22,224 25,163 continued overleaf

“We are called to do justice to all and walk humbly with our God, to cooperate lovingly with all who share our hopes for the future of the earth." ‐Kabarak Call for Peace and Ecojustice 2012 2014

shown below 8,410 4,533

5,682 5,736 22,224

13 QCEA Annual Report 2014

Expenditure Summary Description, continued 2014 2013

Office Costs 22,033 23,404 Council Meetings 5,680 5,302 Staff Costs 146,527 120,668 Staff Salary and Social Charges 16,619 ‐3,868 Other Staff and Contractor Costs, Training Costs and Fees 6,483 6,225 Travel Costs 1,941 2,108 Costs related to search for Deputy Rep 277 3,983 Taxes (excluding employment‐related taxes) 4,210 3,306 Financial Charges 153 177 Depreciation 217 442 Total Expenditure 250,723 224,561 Balance of Income over Expenditure 26,705 44,321

Balance Sheet

Assets (Actif) 2014 2013

Fixed Assets (ACTIF Immobilisis) Computers (Matériel Informatique) 0 0 Office Equipment(Equipment de bureau) 217 434

Current Assets (ACTIF Circulants) Claims (Créances) 2,089 3,170

Balances in bank accounts and as cash (Placements de Trésorierie) Fortis 31,102 20,484 Triodos savings account 259,449 219,457 BE58 2100 5598 1479 SEK 1,090 ‐ Triodos current account (Cpte terme) 7,929 8,571 327 639 Caisse (Petty Cash)

Total in banks (Total placements de trésorerie) 299,897 249,150

Prepayments and accrued income (Comptes de régularisation) 1,158 1,765

Total Assets (Total Actif) 303,361 254,519

“If the world is rotten, don't ask why the light is broken. Ask, where are the Christians?" John Salt 2014 2013

0 0 217 434

2,089 3,170

31,102 20,484 259,449 219,457 1,090 ‐ 7,929 8,571 327 639

299,897 249,150

1,158 1,765

303,361 254,519

QCEA Annual Report 2014 14

Liabilities (Passif) 2014 2013

Patrimoine de départ 245,676 201,355

Result of current period (Résultat periode en cours) 26,704 44,321 Totel reserves as of 31.12 (Patrimoine total au 31.12) 272,380 245,676

Allocated to following reserves: General Reserve 207,380 187,052 Designated reserves House Reserve ‐ ‐6,376 Cash Flow Reserve 65,000 65,000 Total Designated Reserves 65,000 58,624

Total Reserves (Patrimoine Total) 272,380 245,676

Liabilities (Dettes)

Suppliers (Fournisseurs) Income Tax on salaries (Précompte professionel) 648 1,399 Employer's Social Charges (ONSS) 12,702 ‐4,610 Remuneration ‐584 55 Reserve for holiday bonus (Provision pécules de vacances) 18,215 11,999 Adjustments (Comptes de régulation, produits á reporter) 0 0

Total Liabilities (Total Passif) 303,361 254,519

Not included in the figures above are funds held by support groups. As at 31.12.2014 the QCEA British Committee held £21,103 (2013: £29,083) and VVQREA held €52,907,35 (2013 €535,340); both these sums are for the benefit of QCEA but managed by independent charities in the UK and the Netherlands respectively. Funds held by QCEA on behalf of EMEYF as at 31.12.2014 were €11,568 (2013 €11,357).

“We need both a deeper spirituality and a more outspoken witness." Gordon Matthews 1989 15 QCEA Annual Report 2014 QCEA People in 2014

Council Members Staff Team Alexandra Bosbeer, Representative Clerk until April 2014 · Richard Condon Clerk from April 2014 · Oliver Robertson Sevasti Christoforou, Communications Assistant; Assistant Clerk · Jethro Zevenbergen Programme Assistant (June ‐ November 2014) Treasurer · Tom Heydeman Anissa Diraa Member of Bureau · Judith Kirton‐Darling Translation Intern (February – April 2014) Member of Bureau · Sally Sadler Chris Diskin Belgium and Luxembourg YM · Jeremy Lester Programme Assistant (until August 2014) Britain YM · Sarah Coote Tim Harman Denmark YM · Hans Aaen Peace Programme Assistant (from October 2014) France YM · Gretchen Ellis Andrew Lane German YM · Miriam Krämer Deputy Representative (from January 2014) Ireland YM · Margrit E. Grey Gordon Matthews Netherlands YM · Joke Akkerman Office Manager (from January 2014) Norway YM · Turi‐Therese Seljen Schoder George Thurley Sweden YM · Neil Howe (until April 2014) Sustainability Programme Assistant (from September 2014) Per Becker (from April 2014) Switzerland YM · Brigitte Seeger (until April 2014) Rebecca Viney‐Wood Programme Assistant (until July 2014) Ed Dommen (from April 2014) FWCC/EMES · Marisa Johnson EMEYF · Matt Loffman (until April 2014) Hannah Slater (from April 2014) Volunteers QCEA British Committee · Peter Reid A number of Friends and supporters have helped VVQREA · Peter van Leeuwen QCEA in and out of the office during the year in various ways. Our work is greatly aided by the work Committees of these volunteers, and we warmly acknowledge Bureau their contributions. The people who gave of their Richard Condon (Clerk until April 2014) time to QCEA in 2014 included Jenny Bolliger, Eve Tom Heydeman (Treasurer) Bruce, Greta Hopkins, Wolfgang Rassek, Andreas Judith Kirton‐Darling Schultze, and Joanna Sprackett. Oliver Robertson (Clerk from April 2014) Sally Sadler Hans Weening Project Advisory Groups Jethro Zevenbergen (Assistant Clerk) Some of the projects and programme areas are Finance Committee assisted by Project Advisory Groups. Some of the Simon Bond, Treasurer, QCEA‐BC members of these groups are not Council or Margrit Grey Committee Members. QCEA wishes to thank the Tom Heydeman, Treasurer members of our Palestine/Israel Project Advisory Hennie Jansen, Treasurer, VVQREA Group for their contribution to our work during 2014: Martin Touwen, Clerk of Finance Committee Daphne Wassermann Kathy Bergen Nominations Committee Eugenie Bosch Davorka Lovrekoviç Kristin Eskeland (from April 2014) Felicity McCartney (from October 2014) Christopher Hatton Judith Roads Penny Heymans (until April 2014) Peter Spreij (Clerk) Marisa Johnson Myfanwy Thomas ( until April 2014) John Nicholls Joe Thwaites

“True peace involves freedom from tyranny and a generous tolerance.... Now is the time to issue an open invitation to cooperate in creative peacemaking, to declare our willingness to make sacrifices... for the common good of men." London Yearly Meeting 1943 Quaker Council for European Affairs Square Ambiorix 50, B‐1000, Brussels, Belgium

Phone: +32 2 230 4935 Fax: +32 2 230 6370 aisbl – moniteur belge no. 11 732/80 N° d’entreprise 0420.346.728 Transparency register 3960234639‐24 www.qcea.org Support us by donating to Fortis Bank, IBAN BE58 2100 5598 1479, SWIFT GEBA BEBB 36A

‘I learnt that awareness of social problems and the development of spiritual powers go hand in hand. The power must grow out of the silence and be renewed there, but its practical working out depends on the rain and sunshine of human contacts, which we can always learn from special people.’ Annelies Becker 1989.

The QCEA Annual Report 2014 was designed by Sevi Christoforou