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QCEA

@qcea.bsky.social

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The Quaker Council for European Affairs brings a vision based on the #Quaker commitment to #peace, #justice and #equality to Europe and its institutions. 🌐 https://www.qcea.org/

www.qcea.org

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QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · Dec 5

#1/5 Welcome to the Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA)! We're a non-profit promoting just, peaceful, & humane solutions to issues affecting Europe & its global relationships.
#quakers #EU

QCEA welcoming image for new Bluesky followers. The text on the image states 'Welcome at @qcea.bsky.social'. It also presents photos from our events on be dark blue background.

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Reposted by QCEA

Right to a Healthy Environment at the CoE @healthyenvcoe.bsky.social · 8d

Climate activist Niamh Purcell believes the @coe.int has one way to signal to young people it takes their demands for climate justice seriously.

Let's legally protect the right to a healthy environment, in a pledge for our shared humanity & future!

bit.ly/4nEpvFy

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QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · 2d

Yesterday, on the 5th of October, we celebrated World Quaker Day 2025 under the theme Love Your Neighbor.🫶

🗨️ As our Migration & Peace officer Feblezi Huebi puts it, "Loving our neighbor means welcoming the stranger."

Learn more about our #migration work here 👉 www.qcea.org/homepage/mig...

An orange image with a photo of QCEA Migration & Peace Officer Feblezi Huebi. The text: 'Loving our neighbour means welcoming the stranger. QCEA’s Migration Programme works to shift European policies from fear and exclusion toward solidarity, protection, and respect for every human life.'

QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · 5d

🔎 What happened in the EU and our Quaker House in the past months?

As the summer ended, we returned to Brussels advocacy. Even the cold weather in Belgium could not stop our peace and human rights work. ⚙️⚖️🏛️

Learn more here 👉 mailchi.mp/3f336d5ae84a...

QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · 8d

📍 Save the date: 29 October 2025!

→ Join our new #migration, #security & #peace event!

Register here 👉 www.qcea.org/events/migra...

#QCEAMigrationEvents

QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · 12d

📍 Join our upcoming #migration events!

→ Enter the dialogue, hear diverse perspectives, and gain fresh insights!

🔎 More info soon!

QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · 21d

📍QCEA joins a coalition of Christian NGOs expressing their concerns regarding the new #EU Return Regulation proposal.

🔎 More info 👇

Text: Christian Group Statement on the EU Commission’s Proposal for a Common European System for Returns

Text: In March 2025, the European Commission proposed a draft "Return Regulation" that prioritizes forced removals over voluntary returns and adopts a punitive, security-oriented approach.

This proposal could lead to the systematic detention of migrants-including children and families - and severely restrict their rights.

Text: Therefore, we urge the European Commission to:
1) Use detention only as a last resort in all cases.
2) Consider less coercive measures before resorting to detention.
3) Remove Article 31(2)(e), which pertains to electronic monitoring, from the draft proposal.
4) Adopt an engagement-based approach rather than a punitive one.
5) Grant status on compassionate or humanitarian grounds to individuals whose residency applications have been rejected.

Logos of: Eurodiaconia, Caritas Europa, International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), Europe Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Europe, CCME Churches' Commission for Migrants in Europe, Don Bosco International, Sant'Egidio and COMECE The Catholic Church in the European Union

QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · 22d

🌱 Food security is one of the priorities of the #EU.

📍 However, too often industrial farming harms our environment for profit.

📜 In her article, Alice Privey proposes solutions to this problem.

Read it here 👉 qceablog.wordpress.com/2025/09/11/f...

A green image portraying people farming and the text 'Food, Faith, and the Future of Farming.'

QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · 23d

The statement 👉 picum.org/blog/over-20...

@picumofficial.bsky.social

Over 200 Organisations: Inhumane Deportation Rules Should be Rejected - PICUM

On 11 March 2025, the European Commission presented a new proposal for a Return Regulation to replace the current Return Directive. Behind the euphemistic name, the proposal outlines coercive, traumat...

picum.org

QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · 23d

We don’t need more detention & deportation flights. We need investment in housing, schools & healthcare.

📍Civil society calls on the EU to withdraw this Regulation and build policies rooted in dignity, care & solidarity.

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QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · 23d

3️⃣ Surveillance & punishment:

From racial profiling & raids, to GPS tagging & phone surveillance, to punishing people for being “uncooperative” - this is about control, not care.

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QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · 23d

2️⃣ Expansion of detention

Detention could be extended up to 24 months - even for children. This creates profits for private contractors while destroying people’s health & dignity.

QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · 23d

1️⃣ Deportations without ties:

The proposal allows people to be deported to countries they’ve never set foot in. Families & communities would be torn apart, with lives pushed into danger & limbo.

QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · 23d

📍The EU’s new “Return Regulation” is in reality a Deportation Regulation.

It expands detention - including in offshore sites - fuels racial profiling & strips away rights.

Here’s why civil society is united in rejecting it ⬇️

A black image with the text "Return Deportation Regulation," with the word "Return" crossed out in red.

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QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · Aug 18

Dear @martinurschel.bsky.social, thank you for recommending our book. We indeed propose many practical solutions on how to improve legal migration and make it a dignified (and voluntary) experience!

QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · Aug 4

📣 Quaker organizations: the Israeli government's actions in Gaza and the West Bank constitute genocide.

Full statement 👉 www.qcea.org/quakers-disc...

Quakers Discern Genocide is Occurring in Gaza and Urge Courageous Action.

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QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · Jun 30

Enjoy your summer! 🌞 We will get back to you in mid-July!

A photo portraying the QCEA Team with a yellow overlay. The text states: we are going on a summer break!

QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · Jun 23

Thank you for coming!!

QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · Jun 23

Thank you everyone who joined us for the conference 'Faith in Action in an Age of Permacrisis'. It was truly an unforgettable experience! 💙

QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · Jun 20

Read more in our press release 👇
www.qcea.org/andrew-de-so...
#QCEA #Leadership #NewDirector #PeaceAndJustice

Andrew de Sousa Appointed as New Director of QCEA -

The Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Andrew de Sousa as its new Director, effective 1 July. He will begin his role following a transition period i...

www.qcea.org

QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · Jun 20

He succeeds Tracey Martin, who will be stepping down at the end of June.

We are grateful to Tracey for her wonderful work over the past 2.5 years - thank you, Tracey!🙏

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QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · Jun 20

💡 Andrew brings 25+ years of experience in peacebuilding, human rights and international solidarity.

QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · Jun 20

📍Big news from QCEA!

We're excited to welcome Andrew de Sousa as our new Director, starting July 2025.

A dark blue image featuring a photo of the new QCEA Director, Andrew de Sousa. The image announces: 'New Director Andrew de Sousa, starting July 2025'.

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QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · May 19

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 'Moving with Dignity' launch last week! 💙

This is not the end, but just the beginning of our advocacy for humane and peace-focused #migration policies.

Read it online here 👉 www.qcea.org/moving-with-...

An interior of a Quaker House, Brussels. A group of people listens to a female speaker talking about a recently launched publication.

QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · May 15

📢 Celebrate International Conscientious Objection Day by joining our social media initiative! Share our stories & amplify the voices of those who refuse to take part in war.

#COday2025

🔗 Read more here: www.qcea.org/may-15th-202...

EU & Conscientious Objection: International law vs practice

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QCEA @qcea.bsky.social · May 12

During our in-person launch tomorrow, we will show how it is not only possible-but also beneficial to everyone. 🤝

You can still register here 👉 www.cognitoforms.com/QCEA1/Moving...

Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · May 12

Can we shift the narrative on migration from walls and borders to dignity and peace?

Feblezi Huebi from @qcea.bsky.social explains why it's time for a new conversation about migration – and how peace can guide the way. www.quaker.org.uk/blog/moving-...

Moving with dignity: rethinking migration in the UK and beyond

Feblezi Huebi explains why it's time for a new conversation about migration – and how peace can guide the way.