Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA), based in Brussels, Belgium, brings Quaker concerns about migration, climate, and peace to Europe.
In the 2024 European Parliament election in June, more than 450 million citizens across 27 member states elected 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Facing a polarized European political landscape, QCEA undertook a project to promote compassion, integrity, and respect among MEPs and incoming EU Commissioners.
Beginning in September, QCEA sent personalized postcards to first-time MEPs and as many others as possible. The message on each postcard asked them to base their work on compassion and integrity. A small textile gift crafted from recycled materials by QCEA supporters accompanied each postcard. These items serve as a tangible reminder of the human and environmental stakes of policymaking.
Throughout the rest of the year, QCEA will offer training sessions for the staff of MEPs. Training topics include active listening, mediation, and handling difficult conversations—skills that will help equip staff to navigate a complex political climate.
Through these efforts, QCEA aims to cultivate a political environment that prioritizes humane solutions and meaningful dialogue, ensuring that the interests of both people and the planet are at the forefront of European governance.
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