 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 (XXXX 5) |
Theresa Fitzgibbon of Trenton Meeting (NJ) and Hollister Knowlton of Chestnut Hill Meeting (PA) were among at least six Quakers participating in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held August 26 through September 4 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
With several members of the Ecumenical Team, Hollister participated in the U.S. nongovernmental organizations’ NGO Energy and Climate Caucus. Their intense efforts to persuade U.S. negotiators to agree to targets and timetables for phasing out the United States’ $30 billion annual subsidies for fossil fuel and nuclear energy, and for establishing a world fund to support clean renewable energy, were ultimately unsuccessful. Other work there supported the Earth Charter’s Ark of Hope; the August 31 Landless People’s March from the impoverished Township of Alexandra to the wealthy Sandton Convention Center; and a U.S. NGO demonstration against the Bush Administration position on the final day of the Summit.
Theresa has a long history of work with United Nations-related activities, and had attended the Earth Summit in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro as well as two of the Preparatory Conferences building up to this World Summit, which was known as “Rio plus 10.” In Johannesburg, Theresa participated in meetings related to women, peace, social and economic justice, and sustainability. Theresa is one of PYM’s representatives to the United Nations.
Hollister carries a life-long concern for ecological sustainability. She was one of four Quaker delegates to the World Summit from Friends Committee on Unity with Nature. She has served as PYM representative to the Friends Committee since October 2000. She carried to Johannesburg a traveling minute from her Monthly Meeting, endorsed by PYM Interim Meeting, and a letter of support from the PYM Environmental Working Group, with which she is active.
In Johannesburg, the two women stayed with Friend Jennifer Kinghorn, a native South African and member of Johannesburg Monthly Meeting, who generously welcomed them and two other Quakers into her home.
Both PYM Friends are eager to share their experiences with Quaker groups and Monthly Meetings, and are prepared to speak on a number of topics related to the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Please call Theresa at 609-392-6805 or Hollister at 215-247-0718 (or email hknowlton2@aol.com) if you are interested in learning more.
Hollister Knowlton
Chestnut Hill Meeting (PA)
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM