Peta Ikambana, the AFSC-DC Director, presented the annual report on the 4 February 2007.

There were three goals for 2005-2006: supporting immigrant rights in the area, educating youth about peace, and acting for peace and economic justice in the community. To these ends, hundreds of youth and adults received peace and conflict-resolution training through a year-long program of ten sessions.

Also, there was a successful eight week summer program on peace-building for teenagers. AFSC-DC helped with the “Eyes Wide Open” exhibits and partnered with a local pro-democracy group to educate about the effects of the Iraq war internationally, nationally, and locally. They collaborated on a counter-recruitment workshop and organized protests in favor of pro-immigration policies. AFSC-DC conducted “know your rights” workshops for immigrants and referred many to professional lawyers.

In 2006-07, AFSC-DC will expand its work with the educational community, such as collaborating with a professor at American University to increase peace education and activities between the two institutions. AFSC-DC is looking for new office space because the lease on the 14th Street site is up in May.

In response to a question about AFSC structure, Peta explained that the DC office is one of six area offices in the Mid-Atlantic region, and there is a new regional AFSC director, Clinton Pettus. Peta mentioned the ongoing discussions within AFSC about the scope of its missions, and the struggle to maintain the programs financially.

The total budget of AFSC-DC is $165,000; $103,000 comes from the national office, and AFSC-DC needs to raise the difference. The generosity of BFM and individual members is greatly appreciated.