Quakers nominate Concordis International for Nobel Peace Prize

• Quakers in Britain and the United States of America have nominated UK INGO Concordis International for the Nobel Peace Prize, recognising two decades of community-led peacebuilding. 

• Concordis works in some of the world’s most fragile conflict zones, helping people tackle the root causes of violence. 

MEDIA RELEASE 

24 February 2026 

Quakers in Britain and the United States of America have nominated Concordis International for the Nobel Peace Prize, recognising two decades of community-led peacebuilding. 

UK-based international NGO Concordis works in some of the world’s most fragile conflict zones, helping people tackle the root causes of violence.  

From Chad to South Sudan, they support communities to rebuild, farm safely, and become resilient to famine, climate change, and war. 

In their nomination, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW) praised Concordis’ humility, respect, and consistent promotion of local partners. 

“Concordis International’s commitment to peace is not new, brief, or transactional... Unlike the adversarial justice of the western world, they seek the healing justice for all parties, typical in a relational world view… 

“Their humility, respect, enthusiasm, and consistent promotion of their local partners over themselves is an international model for this millennium,” the nominating letter said. 

Peter Marsden, chief executive of Concordis, said: “We are truly grateful for the trust in us that AFSC and QPSW have shown.  

“More importantly, we’re grateful for their commitment to highlighting and applauding the unsung work of awesome local peacebuilders. These are the bold souls who work for peace where conflict is fought and felt.” 

Concordis work to ensure that everyone impacted by a conflict has a voice. This includes people neglected due to age, gender, ethnicity, people who take up arms, and those who do not, as well as governments and civil society.  

Oliver Robertson, head of witness and worship for Quakers in Britain, added: “We are delighted to nominate Concordis International for the Nobel Peace Prize. 

“Their work reminds us that true, lasting peace comes from the courageous, patient work of local people who heal wounds, build understanding, and bridge divides.” 

“We are honored to nominate Concordis International for the Nobel Peace Prize”, said Joyce Ajlouny, General Secretary for AFSC.  

“A century of experience has shown us, time and again, that peace does not come at the barrel of a gun.  

“And while diplomacy between world leaders is important, it is the tireless efforts of everyday people working to resolve conflicts and address injustices that truly builds lasting peace.”  

As Nobel laureates, AFSC and QPSW can make a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize every year.  

Their 1947 prize recognised 300 years of Quaker opposition to war and in particular the work done by AFSC and what is now QPSW during and after the two world wars to feed starving children and help Europe rebuild itself.   

ENDS 

NOTES FOR EDITORS: 

Media contact: 
Cato Pedder, Media Officer, Quakers in Britain 
44 (0)20 7663 1048
catop@quaker.org.uk 
www.quaker.org.uk 

Layne Mullett, AFSC 
+1 215-241-7085 
lmullett@afsc.org
https://afsc.org/

Quaker Peace and Social Witness (QPSW) works at a national level on behalf of Quakers in Britain, such as running peacebuilding projects overseas, campaigning on behalf of Quakers, and providing resources to enable local Quakers to take action. 

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) promotes a world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. Guided by the Quaker belief in the divine light within each person, we nurture the seeds of change and the respect for human life to fundamentally transform our societies and institutions. We work with people and partners worldwide, of all faiths and backgrounds, to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace. 

Concordis International is an international non-governmental organisation (INGO) based in the UK, operating in the Central African Region: Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Sudan, Abyei and South Sudan. We are peacebuilders. Concordis staff support those who live where conflict is fought and felt. We only go where we are invited. We have twenty years of experience – our expertise lies in building trust with all conflict parties and bringing them together to have those difficult conversations. We work hand in hand with communities, helping them find workable solutions that address the root causes of conflict and contribute to lasting peace and economic development. We are committed to finding sustainable solutions that benefit all those involved: women and youth, as well as men; local administrative authorities, community leaders, and civil society; those who choose to take up arms and those who don't. We engage for the long term to build trusting relationships and leave a legacy that enables future conflict to be managed peacefully within the community.    

CASE STUDY: 

In contested territory between Sudan and South Sudan, where young people are seen to be part of the problem, Concordis is helping them become part of the solution. At a dramatic peace conference, individuals who were locked in a cycle of lethal violence were helped to find a peaceful way to rebuild shattered lives and livelihoods. 

Click here to read more: https://concordis.international/news/abyei-youth-conference 

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW: 

Peter Marsden, CEO of Concordis: Peter leads Concordis and the design and delivery of all peacebuilding programmes. He is an experienced mediator and takes a hands-on role in engaging participants and stakeholders, including government and opposition groups, facilitating inter-community dialogue and training peacebuilders.  

Joseph Kuot Akok: As part of Concordis’ team in South Sudan, Joseph is a youth leader who funded himself through university by playing basketball. His magnetic charisma and deep understanding of the region’s socio-political landscape, allows him to foster trust and drive impactful peace initiatives, especially with young people in armed groups. 

Oliver Robertson, Head of Witness and Worship for Quakers in Britain