World Conference of Friends 2012

Click here for a printable pdf version of this page.

The World Conference is for all Friends. It is an opportunity for Friends to know one another, to recognize our differences, to be open to being stretched and challenged and to re-affirm our common roots. All Friends are welcome and are free to express their understanding of the Truth. It is an opportunity to learn experientially was it means to be part of the channels of Universal Love.

The World Conference theme is

Being Salt and Light: Friends Living the Kingdom of God in a Broken World

The theme is taken from the Sermon on the Mount as reported in Matthew 5:13-16. It also incorporates Luke 17:20-21. After prayerful consideration of many suggestions for the theme, the International Planning Committee agreed this multi-faceted approach to our time together.

Matthew 5:13-16: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (KJV)

Luke 17:20-21: And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (KJV)

The committee also identified five sub-themes: 

World conferences are more than just FWCC events. In fact, two world conferences were held before FWCC came into being as a result of the 2nd world conference in 1937.

FWCC produces the world conference on behalf of all the Friends in the world and affiliation with FWCC is not necessary for inclusion. Hence, you will see the world conference logo, created by African Friends, instead of the FWCC logo.

Who goes to World Conference?

Insofar as possible, a representative sampling of the thousands of Friends world-wide. Yearly Meetings have been allotted places based on their size and have been asked to name a diverse group. Open places are available for Quaker organisations and other individuals. Also attending will be members of the local arrangements committee, stewards, our translators and interpreters, staff and planning committee members plus a few ecumenical visitors. We will be about 1,000 in all.

The World Conference conducts no business as such, although final plenary sessions may receive proposed minutes arising from the thread workshops' discernment. Primarily the World Conference is for Friends to have time together to share and learn from each other. FWCC sections have asked to have separate meetings for their own purposes to which all from their region are invited; for some Sections, this is instead of a separate meeting so scarce resources can be saved. In addition, there will be two sessions for FWCC business, as there has been no meeting since the 2007 Triennial. These will come late in the week and attendance is optional.

Kabarak University which is located on a 600 acre farm, 20 km northwest of Nakuru, Kenya will host us. It was established in 2000 and all its buildings constructed since 2002. Its motto is 'Education in Biblical Perspective.' Participants will be housed in dormitories on campus and fed in the campus dining hall. The campus also features an outdoor swimming pool, sports areas, and tree-shaded lawns.

Nakuru is on a high plateau, over 1 km in altitude. The weather is pleasantly warm but not hot or humid. There may be afternoon rain showers. More information will be available before the conference.

1) for those named by their yearly meetings, once the FWCC World Office has received names and contact details, registration information will be sent directly to them.

2) for those seeking Open Places, an application for Open Places will be sent on request or is available to fill out on-line at www.saltandlight2012.org. Open Places will be allotted to Quaker organisations and to individuals, with the intention of reflecting Friends' diversity. These Open Places will be allotted on a rolling basis each month.

Registration fees include all accommodation and meal costs and transfer by bus to/from Nairobi airport. It includes the cost of most excursions on the day in the middle of the conference, although those choosing to go to game parks will be asked to pay the entry fee separately (to be described in a future mailing). For those participating in LAC-arranged pre-conference or post-conference, you or your event coordinator will be responsible for airport transfers and the cost.

Registration fees are tiered by country and each participant's fee is determined by their country of residence. Please locate your country or region on the fee structure to determine the correct amount to pay. These tiers reflect each country's gross domestic product factored by its personal purchasing power. All participants will be responsible for paying their registration fees. There are no bursaries or subsidies for registration fees as we have moved to a 'fair share' policy. This policy calls for each person to pay his/her fair share of the costs of attending the conference. Participants from the lowest tier will be permitted to pay their fees out of the proceeds of goods from their countries sold during the conference.

However, FWCC is fund-raising to pay for travel expenses for participants from the lower two tiers.  Friends who can afford to do so are asked to consider donations to that fund and/or to 'sponsor a delegate' from one of the lower tiered countries. The World Office will gladly connect Friends or yearly meetings together and to provide information about estimated travel costs..

Once a registration form is received, the participant's name and yearly meeting will be posted on the World Conference website; this will not include contact details or other personal information.  On the registration form is a permission box to allow inclusion of contact details in a Participants List that will be prepared and distributed by the end of the World Conference to those present. It will not be published further.

Kenya requires a visa to enter the country but it can be purchased upon arrival at the airport. Presently, the fee is US$ 50 for a 3-month single entry visa; a return air ticket is also required. There are only a few countries which require advance application for visas and the World Office will contact those participants.

Please bring whatever medications you think you might need during the course of your stay. You should start taking anti-malarial medications before you arrive – how far in advance depends upon which of the types of anti-malarial medications your doctor recommends.  Please consult your doctor about your need for inoculations for tetanus, polio, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, meningitis, and rabies. Kenya does not require yellow fever inoculations unless you are coming from a yellow-fever-infested country. Some of the inoculations may only be necessary if you are staying a long time or travelling to other countries. Be sure to get good medical advice.

As far as possible, the Local Arrangements Committee will greet those arriving at Jomo Kenyatta Airport Nairobi on the day the conference begins and the day before. Arrangements will also be made to greet those coming to participate in a pre-conference excursion arranged by the LAC. At the close of the conference, there will also be transportation back to Nairobi and the airport. We will make available a list of guest houses in Nairobi which will be suitable either for an overnight or longer term stay. Your overnight stay in Nairobi is at your own expense. Kabarak University is a 2 ½ – 3 hour bus ride northwest going through the Rift Valley with interesting scenery. Foreigners, especially women, are advised not to travel alone around Nairobi or other parts of Kenya. The LAC will be providing information on safe ways to visit around Kenya.

Before you start your journey to Kabarak University, we recommend that you read the study materials (either the booklet or on-line) and share the materials with others from your worshipping group. Discuss the materials together with them and do some thinking about the theme in advance. Use this group as a prayer support group while you are away. Report back to them upon your return home.

The official languages of FWCC are English, Spanish and French. For those with other language needs, if possible, arrangements will be made for someone to provide informal interpretations during the sessions. Please be sure that the conference planners know of any needs.

The World Conference is a family reunion and everyone has a role to play. The registration form asks you to let us know how you can assist. Other opportunities will arise on site.
Excursions during the Conference

The middle day of the conference is a day off. The Local Arrangements Committee will offer many options of ways to see the area and some of the sights. These are the gift of Kenyan Friends. Only those excursions involving entry into federal game parks will require additional payment; these options and details will be described closer to the event.

The Local Arrangements Committee is organising, separately from the conference, some opportunities to visit Kenyan Friends, see local mission work and peace projects, visit in Friends' homes, and to go on safari. These will be detailed in a separate booklet and must be paid for separately.

Many Friends from the developing world need financial assistance to attend the world conference. You can help them by contributing to the Travel Fund! We are encouraging local meetings and churches to 'adopt a delegate' and FWCC can provide information on what it would cost to sponsor someone from different countries in the world.

Concern for the environmental impact of having so many people travelling long distances has led to the recommendation that those who can afford to do so make a contribution to off-set their carbon footprint. We recommend a two-step process once your have made your travel arrangements:

1. go on-line to http://carbon.trx.com/. This site will calculate the size of your carbon footprint based on your airline information and advise what amount of money to donate as off-set.

2. Make a contribution to either of these two Quaker organisations doing environment-related work in Kenya:

a. Friendly Water for the World, a joint project of evangelical and unprogrammed Friends in Washington State, USA, providing bio-sands water filters and training East Africans how to build and use them. Pay on-line in any currency at http://www.friendlywaterfortheworld.com.

b. Trees for Africa, a programme of Dutch Friends, teaching Kenyan Friends how to start a tree nursery for indigenous tress. They do not have Paypal or a website; Friends can transfer funds to this organisation in other ways by contacting Wim Nusselder at wim.nusselder@antenna.nl.