An Ilkley woman has been appointed a trustee of a Quaker organisation which campaigns for human rights across the world.

Kate Graham has been made a trustee of the Quaker United Nations Organisation (QUNO), a charitable organisation based in Geneva.

She joins fellow Ilkley Quaker Robert Gibson on the board and recently travelled to Geneva to meet the 11-strong team which deals with four current programmes.

QUNO, although a small organisation, has a voice, and the group has a seat at most of the negotiating tables where issues facing people today are thrashed out.

Their main focus is on the human impacts of climate change, the rights of refugees, the arms trade, and the reduction of plastic pollution.

As well as being a trusted speaker and source of information, QUNO also offers quiet diplomacy: a safe and confidential space where UN delegates can meet, off the record, to discuss areas of difficulty and find ways to move forward.

Of her recent visit to meet the QUNO team in Geneva, Kate said: “It was really exciting to hear how a small group of people can have an impact at this level, and to appreciate how valuable the Quaker input has been over the years.

“I feel very privileged to be part of this organisation in my role as a Trustee, and I very much hope that I will find ways to contribute.

“I'm delighted that I’ve been appointed Assistant Treasurer (working alongside Robert, who is the Treasurer), and look forward to helping on the fundraising side of things.”

QUNO’s representatives have been involved in some of the big decision-making conferences and meetings. The organisation’s Climate Change representative spoke at COP 27 in Egypt, and she also was able to make amendments to recognise human rights in the 40 page summary produced by the IPCC, the most recent scientist’s climate change report.

These words matter, said Kate, because they are agreed, sentence by sentence, by all the countries involved (which includes the UK) and it means that the UK Government needs to take notice of them and can be held to account.

Connecting the local to the global is key, and Kate has also got involved with Climate Action Ilkley, writing their bi-monthly newsletter.

She added: “Climate change and its implications are so big that we have to tackle it at every level, and building strong and resilient communities is vital. This is something Ilkley is really good at and it’s great to be part of this.”

For more information see www.quno.org and www.climateactionilkley.org.uk