News and Updates
| [Update] Myanmar Update |
Myanmar Update May 15, 2008 Christian Conference of Asia c/o Payap University Muang District, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand Tel: +66-53-243906, 243907 E-mail: ccagensec@cca.org.hk 2.5m affected from Myanmar Cyclone  According to recent UN estimate the number of affected people from Myanmar cyclone has increased to 2.5m. According to BBC the figure was revised up from the 1.5m previously thought to be in need, following the storm 12 days ago.
Since Cyclone Nargis struck, hardly any foreign aid workers have been allowed into Myanmar to hand out relief supplies. Latest Myanmar official figures put the death toll at almost 38,500 with 27,838 more missing but the Red Cross warned as many as 128,000 could be dead. Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej flew to Yangon for talks with Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein, but said the junta was adamant it needed no outside help. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also said, "Even though the [Myanmar] government has shown some sense of flexibility, at this time it's far, far too short." In Bangkok, the Myanmar Embassy has been opened. Some people have been given a "tourist" visas to enter Myanmar, however on restricted conditions. There is still a lot of frustration among the people, who have not been able to obtain visas to enter into the country for relief work. Ecumenical Response: CCA had Dr. Simon Park, Interim Coordinator of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) for the Presbyterian Church in the USA in Chiang Mai on14 May, to share and discuss response to the Myanmar crisis. Rev. Bill Yoder, Dr. John Butt, Dr. Martha Butt, Dr. Esther Wakeman were also present in the meeting. Dr. Park expressed deep concern for the people in Myanmar affected by cyclone, especially in the local villages and remote areas. He said that PDA is willing to cooperate with CCA and ecumenical organisations on a long-term disaster management and capacity training. This can be done in collaboration with other church organisations such as ACT International, Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh, Church's Auxiliary for Social Action India and other international agencies. In Hong Kong, the "candlelight worship" will be held on Saturday, 17 May 2008 at Kowloon Union Church (KUC). The Christian Solidarity Worldwide UK called to sign the online petition on following link http://www.petitiononline.com/nargis/petition-sign.html for the United Nations to apply the "responsibility to protect" doctrine to force aid into Myanmar. From Yangon, Rev. Mar Gay Gui, General Secretary for Myanmar Council of Churches (MCC) shared that church communities of various denominations joined the special prayer meeting held on 14 May in remembrance of the victims of cyclone and discussed ways on how to help the survivors. MCC has also formed Emergency Relief Committee (ERC). The ERC is working closely with the affected member churches for sharing information, fundraising, trainings, sending volunteers, relation with authorities and international partners, and developing plans and budget for rehabilitation. As mentioned earlier, Rev. Mar Gay Gui will be in Thailand next week. CCA has arranged his meeting with CCA staffs and other ecumenical partners on Tuesday, 20 May. He would be able to share updates and outcomes of relief efforts in the affected areas; activities of MCC, other churches and ecumenical agencies, and what further assistance is needed in short and long-term basis. Mr. Saw Shwe Lin, National Secretary of Student Christian Movement shared that "the Myanmar Baptist Convention, a member church of MCC is opening twenty-one camps in the affected areas and presently taking care of 8411 people. The number of people coming to the camps is increasing everyday." CCA would like to thank churches, organisations and ecumenical friends for their support and donations for the relief work in Myanmar. To support CCA in its efforts to provide relief aid to the cyclone victims, you can send your contributions to: Account name Christian Conference of Asia Bank Hang Seng Bank Branch Hankow Road (4 Hankow Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong) Account number 295-4-709594 Swift code HASEHKHH Prawate Khid-arn CCA General Secretary
posted by cbs on Thursday, May 15, 2008
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| [Update] A Letter from CCA |
A Letter from CCA No. 20/14 May 2008
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ! ![Text Box: Vacancy opening for CCA Executive Secretary for Justice, International Affairs, Development and Service (JID)
Deadline: 30 June 2008
More details: ccagensec@cca.org.hk
NCC-General Secretaries Meeting
31 August 3 September 2008
Bangladesh
CCA General Committee Meeting
3-7 September 2008
Bangladesh
CCA 13th General Assembly
14-21 April 2010
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
[Block it in your calendar]](cid:000801c8b572$521360c0$264411ac@officeff0d9966) Let us continue remembering the people of Myanmar in our daily prayers. The UN described the situation as a "major catastrophe", where more than 100,000 have lost their lives due to the recent Nargis Cyclone. It is another ethical challenge for churches and ecumenical movement in responding to Jesus calling, "As you've done to the least of these, you've done to me" (Matthew 25: 42-45).
Recently we have received a message from the Council of Churches in Malaysia (CCM) and the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) urging support for immediate relief to the victims of cyclone in Myanmar. "For many years the Uniting Church has stood with the Burmese people and many refugees as they have suffered at the hands of, or fled the repressive military junta. We commit ourselves anew to supporting them in this moment of need," said Rev Gregor Henderson, President of the Uniting Church National Assembly. "Nearly all homes were destroyed in the villages I assessed today and the survivors have virtually no access to clean drinking water," says Gordon Bacon, emergency coordinator for International Rescue Committee, speaking from Yangon. "With each passing day, we come closer to a massive health disaster and a second wave of deaths that is potentially larger than the first." Rev. Mar Gay Gui, the General Secretary of Myanmar Council of Churches (MCC) will be in Thailand next week. He will visit CCA on 20 May. CCA is also accepting contributions to support emergency relief programs and long-term recovery assistance in Myanmar. Donations can be sent by calling +66-53-243906, 243907, or e-mail: ccagensec@cca.org.hk Earthquake in China As the situation in Myanmar is still critical, on 12 May the 7.8-magnitude earthquake devastated the cities and towns in south-western Sichuan province in China. According to BBC 10,000 people have been killed, with many more still trapped. CCA expresses concern for the people affected in the earthquake and appeals to churches, ecumenical partners and friends to remember the victims of earthquake in their prayers. New office for Missionary Society The Missionary Society of St Columban has shifted its administrative office from Dublin, Ireland to Hong Kong SAR. It started functioning officially on 1 May 2008. The Rev. Tommy Murphy, the society's superior general, said, "The general council has had its offices in Ireland since the society's founding in 1918, so the decision to move to Hong Kong was not made lightly." He also added, "The move reflects the society's 90-year commitment to cross-cultural Catholic mission work" (Source: ENI-08-0376). WSCF General Assembly and the Senior Friends Gathering Alice Hageman and Christine Ledger, coordinators of the Senior Friends Gathering (SRG) of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) updated the practical matters and list of the resource persons for this important event taking place in Canada. The SRG will be meeting at the College Jean-de-Brebeuf, Moetreal, Canada from 4-8 August 2008. More information is available at: World Student Christian Federation WSCF 5 Route des Morillons 1218 Grand Saconnex, Switzerland Alice: alh@theworld.com Chris: chrisledger@netspeed.com.au CCA in action § CCA and NCC-Korea is jointly hosting a workshop on "Ecology, Economy and Accountability in Asian Perspective" in Seoul, Korea from 14-18 May 2008. Around twenty-five participants will be attending the event. § The Mekong Ecumenical Partnership program is organising a "Sub-regional Youth Training on Sustainable Development" in Chiang Mai from 4-28 May. Thirteen young people from Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, China and Thailand will participate in the program. Prawate Khid-arn General Secretary
posted by cbs on Wednesday, May 14, 2008
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| [Update] Myanmar Update2 |
Myanmar Update May 12, 2008 Christian Conference of Asia c/o Payap University Muang District, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand Tel: +66-53-243906, 243907 After the cyclone disaster:  Ten days after the cyclone disaster in Myanmar, death toll is estimated to be 100,000 according to the aid agencies, with a warning that it could rise up to 1.5 million without the provision of clean water and sanitation, while Myanmar's state media still insists on 28,458 dead and 33,416 missing.
Myanmar government has been criticized widely for its slow response over the aid relief, which could be translated into another "human catastrophe" according to UN. Humanitarian chief John Holmes was quoted about Myanmar's government response as "nothing like as much as is needed". Gordon Bacon, the International Rescue Committee emergency coordinator in Yangon, said his teams are starting to penetrate some of the areas worst hit by Nargis and they are finding villages where all the homes are destroyed and survivors who have had no clean water since 2 May. Until now, both governments and aid agencies have been excessively careful when they talked about the disaster in Myanmar. They obviously did not want to cause panic, but neither did they want to anger the country's military regime while there is still hope of access to one of the world's most isolated countries. According to the recent news some amounts of aid have started to reach cyclone-stricken areas, which shows that government has eased the restrictions on foreign access to some extent. The UN, which has launched a $187m (£96m) appeal for aid, says survivors in the worst-affected areas urgently need food, shelter and medical aid. Aid has been flown in from countries, such as China and Thailand. The first US aid flight to Myanmar has also taken off from an air base in Thailand. Permission for the aircraft to land in Yangon was granted after a week of talks with Myanmar military rulers. However the experts have warned that aid entering the country is vastly inadequate for the scale of the disaster. They say help has reached less than one third of those in need - and say many thousands of people are still missing (Source: BBC News). Ecumenical Response: Church World Service (CWS) and Dan Church Aid (DCA) on behalf of Action of Churches Together-ACT International, invited international organisations for a meeting on 9th May at the CWS office in Bangkok. Around fifteen people representing CWS, DCA, Diakonia, Rescue 24, German churches in Bangkok and CCA participated in the meeting. CCA General Secretary and Joint Executive Secretary for CCA-JID Rev. Freddy de Alwis took part in the discussions. The meeting discussed the actions and efforts needed by churches and ecumenical organisations for the relief work in Myanmar. However, due to the visa constraints and restrictions churches along with numerous aid agencies are still waiting to get into Myanmar. Their contacts with the communities in Myanmar are also being affected, due to which the church organisations are finding it very difficult to obtain appropriate information from the country. Since Friday was declared a public holiday in Thailand, many of the church officials are still waiting for the Myanmar embassy to open and get their visa applications processed. Mr. Marvin Pervez, acting Regional Representative for CWS is in Myanmar at the moment and will return to Bangkok this week. The Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT) has sent out a letter to the local churches and has appealed for their support in the humanitarian assistance for Myanmar cyclone victims. Contributions have already been received for this purpose, which will be sent to Myanmar Council of Churches (MCC) soon. The MCC-Emergency Relief Committee (MCC-ERC) met this afternoon at Ecumenical Building in Yangon on 12 May. MCC-ERC has been actively distributing basic aid including water, food and medicines to the people in affected areas. Staffs from ecumenical organisations such as CWS, DCA and Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) are collaborating with MCC for relief work efforts. Their coordinating office has been set up at the Ecumenical Building in Yangon. CCA was able to be in contact with Rev. Mar Gay Gyi MCC General Secretary who shared that MCC-ERC is working relentlessly to provide aid for the affected communities, yet "many people are waiting for help". Rev. Mar Gay Gyi will be in Bangkok next week and will visit Chiang Mai on Tuesday, 20 May. Contributions from churches in Thailand will be handed over to him for aid work. To support CCA in its efforts to provide relief aid to the Myanmar Cyclone victims, you can send your contributions to: Account name Christian Conference of Asia Bank Hang Seng Bank Branch Hankow Road (4 Hankow Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong) Account number 295-4-709594 Swift code HASEHKHH Prawate Khid-arn CCA General Secretary
posted by cbs on Monday, May 12, 2008
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| [Update] Myanmar Update |
Myanmar Update May 9, 2008 Christian Conference of Asia c/o Payap University Muang District, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand Tel: +66-53-243906, 243907 One week after the cyclone disaster:  According to the official sources more than 23,000 people have died, around 40,000 are missing and 1.5 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, one week after the cyclone disaster.
The UN and several other international aid agencies are struggling to provide assistance to the cyclone victims, however still the worst effected areas are far from the reach of help. In reference to the response from military government of Myanmar, Humanitarian chief John Holmes says, it was "nothing like as much as is needed". The head of US embassy Shari Villarosa also said that contrary to Myanmar media reports the number of dead might have increased to 100,000 as safe food and clean water are scarce and unsanitary conditions are widespread. "The situation is increasingly horrendous," she said in a telephone call to the reporters. "There is a very real risk of disease outbreaks." As quoted in a recent BBC report, UN says that "progress was being made in securing easier access to the many victims, yet there was a real danger that an even worse tragedy may unfold if we cannot get the aid that's desperately needed in quickly." CCA Response After great efforts CCA was finally able to establish contact with Rev. Mar Gay Guyi, General Secretary of Myanmar Council of Churches (MCC) through telephone. Rev. Mar Gay Gyi shared, "I have never seen a disaster of this magnitude in my whole life. An urgent need of the people now is drinking water, food and medicines. There are still villages unreachable. We have to find them." As emergency response, CCA and Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT) have made an initial financial contribution to MCC to for immediate humanitarian assistance for the cyclone victims. Some local churches in Chiang Mai also plan to have special offerings on Sunday for the victims, and contribute it to CCT for aid relief. CCA plans to send its staff team to Myanmar, however unfortunately the visas were not available due to the close down of Myanmar embassy for few days. As soon as the embassy is open CCA will initiate the visa process for its team members. CCA General Secretary and Rev. Freddy de Alwis, Executive Secretary for Justice, International Affairs and Development (JID), will be meeting with Mr. Skip Danger of the Church World Service (CWS) in Bangkok to get more information and find out how CCA can collaborate with CWS and others to facilitate relief work. To support CCA in its efforts to provide relief aid to the Myanmar Cyclone victims, you can send your contributions to: Account name Christian Conference of Asia Bank Hang Seng Bank Branch Hankow Road (4 Hankow Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong) Account number 295-4-709594 Swift code HASEHKHH Prawate Khid-arn CCA General Secretary
posted by cbs on Friday, May 09, 2008
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| [Update] A letter from CCA |
A Letter from CCA No. 19/7 May 2008
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ!
We are deeply concerned about the tragic situation in Myanmar, where due to the Cyclone Nargis that hit the country on 2 May, more than 22,000 lives have been lost. According to the official reports the death toll is still at rise and around 41,000 people are missing. Hundreds and thousands of survivors are striving for clean water, shelter and basic necessities of life. Many have been left homeless due to the cyclone, which has wrecked much of the country's already fragile infrastructure by threatening its precarious food supply.
Myanmar Information Minister Kyaw Hsan said, "We need aid from both local and foreign sources," He further added, "It is welcome." The military junta has misled Myanmar to be one of the world's least developed countries, and has earned a reputation for poor macro-economic management, let alone disaster-management says The Bangkok Post. Yesterday, I was able to speak on phone with Rev. Mar Gay Gyi, the General Secretary for Myanmar Council of Churches. He said that he will be meeting with the staff in-charge of the Emergency Relief Unit and the updated information will be shared with the churches. Mr. Skip Dangers of the Church World Service in the Bangkok office shared that they will also be monitoring the situation in Myanmar, and will be formulating the follow-up actions along with CCA. Regional Solidarity Endowment Fund meeting in Nepal
Dr. Hope Antone, Joint Executive Secretary for CCA-FMU attended the meeting of the Regional Solidarity Endowment Fund for "Theological Education in South Asia" held from 28-30 April 2008 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Twelve participants representing Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, as well as national councils and theological institutions took part in the event. World Council of Churches was also represented by Rev. Dr Dietrich Werner and CCA by Hope Antone, who is also the WCC-ETE regional consultant for Asia. The meeting was held to reconstitute the regional committee of the Solidarity Endowment Fund, hear reports from the country representatives, including their master plan for the next year and the composition of their national committees that oversee the endowment fund for theological education in their respective countries. The group also felt the need to reach out to churches in Bhutan. Pre-Conference on "Reclaiming Rights of Children living with HIV/AIDS"
We are approaching International AIDS Conference to be held from 3-8 August 2008 in Mexico. CCA with Asian Interfaith Network on HIV/AIDS (AINA) is planning to organise a pre-conference in Asia on "Reclaiming Rights of Children living with HIV/AIDS" in Chiang Mai on 2-6 July 2008. The pre-conference aims to consolidate knowledge, experiences and voices of the children living with HIV/AIDS. The statement of the conference will be presented and disseminated during the global conference in Mexico. Around sixty participants from Buddhist, Christian, Muslim and Hindu faiths are expected to take part in the event, among which fifteen will be representatives of International AIDS Conference. CCA identifies three areas of concern in dealing with the issue of children affected and living with HIV and AIDS (CALWA) – such as lack of knowledge and skills for parents taking care of the CALWA; limited organisations providing care for the CALWA; and the need for life skills training for growing CALWA. The growing CALWAs need independence and freedom outside the care centres, with other people in wider communities. In this context, how life skills education can be provided to these HIV positive children was another crucial question raised by CCA. CCA Staff Development Workshop and Program Planning 2009
CCA Staff development workshop and program planning is held from 6-9 May, 2008 at the CCT- Education Ministry Building in Chiang Mai. The program contains two main objectives- to conceptualise and capacity development, and to prepare programs and funding request 2009. Executive secretaries, project consultants and administrative staff participated in the workshop. The program started yesterday, with opening worship led by Rev. Dr Park Sungkook, Joint Executive Secretary for FMU- Theological Concern. The scripture was taken from Joel 2:23-39 "… I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Your old men shall dream dreams. Your young men shall see visions" I introduced the aims and objectives of the workshop, which was followed by orientation from Rev. Dr. Rienzie Perera, Associate General Secretary for Finance, who led the discussion on CCA's response to Asian realities and ecumenical issues. He said; "… CCA is a unique organisation and our uniqueness is due to Asian contexts. If we are able to wrestle with the Asian realities and discern the distinctive features and issues, which Asia pose to us, and listen to the people who interact with these issues, then we can challenge and teach continents, churches, ecumenical partners and national governments, and we must always have the humility to learn from others too".
The workshop will end on Thursday, 8 May, and the final document "Programs and Funding Request 2009" will be presented to the member churches, councils and ecumenical partners. As always, many thanks for your support. Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary
posted by cbs on Wednesday, May 07, 2008
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| CCA Women's Voice |
| | | CCA WOMEN'S VOICE | A newsletter of the EGY program March 2008 | | | Editorial Dear Friend, Greetings from CCA- EGY. The month of March 2008 is very important as we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Resurrection of Christ is a symbol of God's liberating power and opportunity for us as Asian Churches and faith communities to reconcile and heal the pains of the broken. This month we also celebrated International Women's Day (IWD) on the 8th March and World Water Day on the 22nd March. Dr Prawate Khidarn General Secretary of CCA invited Asian Churches on IWD through his message To Renew their Pledge to Promote Gender Justice and Over Come Violence Against Women in Asia. See below to read this message. On March 22nd March as we celebrated World Water Day it was also time for Asian Churches to renew their pledge to promote the Water Democracy Movement. That is sharing water with all and resisting all forces that monopolize and pollute this natural resource, a gift of God. Women in Asia suffer most as rivers are being polluted or drying up as they are traditionally the water collectors. There are millions of children in Asia who are denied safe drinking and are dying from water born diseases or arsenic poisoning. In the Indigenous Women's Alternative Leadership for Transformation (IWALT) organized by EGY in February indigenous women organized a worship to promote water democracy movement and shared indigenous insights to make peace with water. In this issue we share with you about activities of EGY and various information to facilitate our networking to evolve together action plans to build communities of peace. Please share information with us from Churches, women's fellowship, countries for prayer request, unheard stories of women working for peace and justice. You can directly send it to me at moumita@cca.org.hk. Shanti! Shalom! Salam! Moumita Biswas Joint Executive Secretary Ecumenical Formation Gender Justice and Youth Empowerment | | Message from the General Secretary of the CCA Renewing our Pledge to Promote Gender Justice and Overcome Violence against Women in Asia |  International Women's Day (IWD) was commemorated on 8th March. In remembrance of this significant day, CCA shared a message reflecting on faith responses to promote gender justice. Asian Churches have a very crucial role to uphold the real essence of IWD and educate the congregation to reflect their 'faith into action' to promote gender justice and overcome violence against women. Many times Asian Churches also need to confess that they: -
Remained silent about violence against women in society, domestic violence within families of congregational members and abuse and discrimination within Church. -
Excluded women from the decision making processes of Church. -
Mistake gender justice as the agenda of women only and do not educate both men and women together for partnership of equals. IWD is an important day for the Asian Churches to renew their commitment and pledge to promote: -
Re-affirm and strengthen commitment to gender justice and full participation of women in Church and society. -
Acknowledge and recognize the achievements of women especially the contributions of the grassroots women to society. -
Engage in education and action to end all forms of violence against women and children in Church and society. -
Continue to encourage resistance to all forces of globalization that disintegrate the dignity of women, children, people of vulnerable communities and the Mother Earth. -
Engage in healing and reconciliation ministry by guaranteeing support to women victims of abuse and violence especially in situations of conflict and war.
Dr Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary CCA. | | EGY in Focus | | Indigenous Women's Alternative Leadership for Transformation (IWALT) Regional Follow up Training 
What is IWALT? One of the major focuses of CCA EGY is to promote indigenous women's ecumenical leadership development. The IWALT in Asia is a three year project of CCA in partnership with 'World Council of Churches' supported by 'United Church of Canada' and 'Canadian International Development Agency'. Between 2005 and 2007 there have been three sub regional trainings in India, Thailand and Philippines. Regional follow up on the IWALT Training was recently held in Chaing Mai Thailand from 4th to the 8th February 2008. 32 participants from previous sub regional IWALT work shops attended the meeting which was held in order to gauge and evaluate the multiplying affect of the IWALT training in local communities. The context for the need of IWALT in Asia Indigenous, Dalits and ethnic minority women are the most oppressed and vulnerable people in Asian communities. They suffer from sexism, casteism, exclusion and marginalization, all factors that undermine community and ultimately threaten life itself. However, despite such sufferings women have tremendous skill to build communities of peace. The purpose of IWALT was to enhance these skills as part of their ecumenical formation training. Specific Objectives of Regional IWALT Training: 1. To assess the attainment of objectives of the sub regional trainings through the participants sharing about their follow up activities. 2. To deepen and sharpen participant's understanding of feminist theologizing and the reading of the Bible through indigenous and Dalit women's eyes. 3. To evaluate the applicability of alternative i.e. feminist leadership in their respective contexts. 4. To build a platform for action, solidarity and cooperation among indigenous and dalit women on building communities of peace. Highlights of IWALT Regional Follow up Training Alternative Transformational Leadership Dr Anna May Say Pa, a renowned indigenous feminist theologian from Burma, gave the keynote address and led a Bible study on feminist leadership. Dr Anna May said that women are more transformational leaders, use power from charisma, interpersonal skills, and hard work, rather than power from the organizational structure, and are lead by attempting to transform the self interest of the worker to the larger interest of the group.
The transformational leaders serve as role models, help others to develop their skills, energize them and motivate them to be more creative
A Frame Work of Asian Feminist and Women's Theologizing Dr Hope Antone (Executive Secretary for CCA FMU) facilitated the Asian feminist theologizing but critically locating it in the context of indigenous and Dalit women. In small groups, participants went through the steps of feminist theologizing by naming oppression, identifying agents of oppression, identifying dominant theology and ideology that reinforce oppression, doing feminist critique of religious texts and cultural practices, and planning transformative action.
Re reading the Bible through Indigenous and Dalit Women's Eyes Indigenous and Dalit women have unique resources for theologizing their folk stories, oral traditions and myths. Dr Limatula Longkumer an indigenous Naga feminist theologian who is a contributor to IWALT said 'Folklore, oral traditions are indigenous people's expression of faith, beliefs, struggles, sufferings, fears and hopes and has ethical value. Therefore, it is an inevitable tool to understand a society and community its past, its traditions, culture and worldview and also to re read the Bible.' Dr Limatula Longkumer facilitated the participants to share their myths and folk stories to use it as an hermeneutics to re read the Bible.
Towards Self Reliance: Handful of Rice The group discussed how they can continue promoting IWALT and multiply its effect. Ruth Raksham, a Garo woman from Bangladesh, and Langsanpui, a Mizo woman from India, shared how women keep a handful of rice every time they cook. Such handfuls of rice are later collected from every house and sold to raise funds for women's training program. Such an "in kind" contribution from Asian indigenous women cannot be compared with dollars or pounds but it reveals the power of Asian indigenous women to contribute to grassroots women's ecumenical movement. No More Sorrows in God's Garden of Justice Participants shared amazing stories of multiplying effect of IWALT in local communities. As a part of IWALT follow up in India the indigenous students in the seminary wanted IWALT to be a part of the college curriculum. A book named No More Sorrow in God's Garden of Justice and edited by Dr Limatula Longkumer was also published gaining inspiration form IWALT. (For a detailed report about this IWALT meeting see www.cca.org.hk ) Women's Ecumenical Accompaniment for Vision and Empowerment (WEAVE) Project - in Timor Leste WEAVEis an ongoing project of CCA-EGY to assist new CCA member Churches or Councils in need of capacity building in the area of women in ecumenical leadership as well as organizational and program development through a full time Ecumenical Accompanier. WEAVE has been operating in Timor Leste since 2007 as part of an ongoing project of EGY-CCA for capacity building of women in conflict ridden societies. Previously the WEAVE project was implemented in Cambodia. Dominica F. Faurillo from the United Church of Philippines is a full time ecumenical accompanier of CCA in Timor Leste working in collaboration of 'Igrja Protestante Iha Timor Loro Sae'- (ITPL) - Protestant Church of East Timor. IPTL is the newest member Church of CCA. WEAVE Objectives: Accompany Church women in Timor Leste in order to help them to develop leadership skills for conflict transformation. -
Accompany Church women in Timor Leste in order to help them to develop leadership skills for conflict transformation. -
To encourage CCA member Churches and Councils to support newer Churches. -
To Link Women's organizations in support of women in conflict situations. At present WEAVE in East Timor is also facilitating the organization of Church Women and supporting the formation of a full time women's desk of IPTL. (More information and updates of activities will be shared in the April issue of 'CCA Women's Voice') EGY and 'South Asian Ecumenical Partnership Program' (SAEPP) Joint Collaboration for Women's Capacity Enhancement The main aim of this joint collaboration between CCA-EGY and SAEPP is to promote 'Capacity Enhancement Ecumenical Leadership Development for South Asian Church Women'. This ecumenical endeavor will also facilitate South Asian Church women to: - Strengthen networking and evolve common action plans to promote Gender justice;
Promote South Asian women in decision making process of Church and society; Promote advocacy and campaigning for Women and Children's Human Rights in South Asia. Ms Moumita Biswas - Executive Secretary of EGY and Rev Vinod Victor - SAEPP Coordinator had a meeting in Bangkok on 9th March 2008 especially planning for the first capacity enhancement training which will be held in August in Bangladesh. For further information about the work of the EGY please contact Moumita Biswas moumita@cca.org.hk
| | Asia Scene - Riots in Tibet | On 10th March 2008 to mark the anniversary of failed uprising against Chinese rule the Tibetan's started a peaceful march in Lasha the capital of Tibet. The peaceful protest march was led by monks and youth. However it turned violent four days later when the Chinese military tried to suppress this protest with violence. The movement has become the largest challenge to China's control of Tibet since the 1959 uprising. It also has threatened Beijing's attempts to project an image of unity and prosperity ahead of the Aug. 8-24 Olympics. The Dalai Lama the spiritual Buddhist leader of the Tibetans winner of Noble Peace Prize claims that Tibet became an international issue after China's invasion of the country and again after China crushed the 1959 Tibetan uprising after which 100,000 Tibetans fled and became refugees all over the world. Instead of trying to further internationalize the Dalia Lama tried from 1978 to 1987 to resolve the problem by negotiating exclusively with the Chinese government, without any international involvement. Unfortunately all his efforts were ignored The Dalai Lama claims that "The Tibetan movement must remain firmly committed to non-violent, peaceful means, in all circumstances. We seek a sustainable relationship with China, based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. We seek a good, long-lasting relationship with China. If we choose to stay as part of one country, we should live together as true brothers and sisters, and if we choose to be separate, then we should become good neighbors." Ms Lappapan Supamanta Executive Director of 'International Network for Engaged Buddhist' based in Thailand while preparing for Asian Religious Women Leader in collaboration with CCA and World Conference of Religions for Peace requested that all religions can pray together for justice and peace in Tibet ( Source :www.resurgence.org/resurgence/articles/tibet.htm ) | | Asia Scene - Prayer Request from Bangladesh | | | Cyclones are one of the major natural calamities in Bangladesh. The cyclone Sidr hit Bangladesh almost four months back but the devastation it caused is tremendous. Even today people of Bangladesh are suffering from terrible consequences. People, especially the poor, are struggling for survival. Their houses and property are destroyed, loved ones killed, there is scarcity of water and food, many children and people are dying of diseases like cholera. It is estimated that the total damage from Sidr alone is US $1.6 million.
Though many organizations have come to help us to build houses and doing relief work and rehabilitation I still feel the Asian and global Churches have another major role to play. That is educating people that due to climate change and ecological degradation the impact of Cyclones are more in Bangladesh. We need to protect mother earth in order to alleviate poverty and suffering. Every year many times we suffer due to floods and cyclones. Please pray for us. Gloria Kalpona Sirkar Executive Secretary- Women's Desk National Council of Churches in Bangladesh | | Australia Scene - Australia says Sorry | | February 13th 2008 was a defining moment in the history of the relationship between the new comers and the traditional owners - the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia. After more than a decade of rejection the Stolen Generations finally heard the word they had been waiting for - 'Sorry'. The new Labour Prime Minister captured the mood of the nation when he made his heart felt apology, on behalf of the Federal Government, for the pain caused to those who were taken away from their families. Finally, those who had suffered were heard and their experiences acknowledged. For many, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, it was an emotional and uplifting day which brought great hope. NATSIEC Chairperson Bishop Saibo Mabo, who was in the gallery to witness first hand this momentous occasion, said of the apology "I was rejoicing today. I always talk about baskets, how we can't come together because we carry our lives in separate baskets; White people carry around their baskets, Torres Strait Islanders have our baskets and Aboriginal people have their dilly bags. They are all separate baskets. But today I was so happy because the bridge was connected. When that bridge is connected we can all carry one basket. We can throw the bad gifts out of the basket and keep the good things in". The big question however, is what next? There is no doubt that the apology was significant and held great meaning for many around the country, but unless it is followed up by concrete actions the words that were so powerful on the day will come to sound hollow and empty. Perhaps NATSIEC's Deputy Chairperson, Revd. Sealin Garlett summed up the challenge for us all when he said "there is often a defining moment when you can hear a pin drop; here there was a defining moment when you could hear the tears drop. It went to the core of being a stolen generation. It defined those who cried out. It was a spiritual moment. It put on a stage our work for tomorrow." Our greatest hope is that this new beginning can be carried forward with the same good will and bi-partisan spirit that was shown in parliament and all around the nation on the day of the Apology. For more in depth coverage see www.ncca.org.au/natsiec Gabrielle Russell-Mundine Project Officer NATSIEC | | | Thank you for reading the newsletter if you have any comments please let us know. Sincerely, Moumita Biswas CCA - EGY network | | This e-newsletter is edited and produced by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission (NATSIEC) of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) on behalf of the CCA - EGY program. The views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of NATSIEC, NCCA. or CCA. | | | | Making submissions to this e-newsletter | | To submit information about upcoming events or information and actions about gender justice issues please email Moumita Biswas at moumita@cca.org.hk |  Join up now! Have you been sent this by somebody else? Sign up here to receive the email directly and never miss an issue! Privacy notice: This email list will be managed by NATSIEC on behalf of EGY -CCA. Your email details will not be used for any other purpose or disclosed to any other parties. | | | | | |
