Asian Ecumenical Institute (AEI) 2025 begins at CCA headquarters

Programme Review and Programme Direction

Two key deliberative sessions during the 15th CCA General Assembly are the Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions.

The Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions will both be conducted in three groups relating to the CCA’s programme areas, namely, (i) General Secretariat (GS), (ii) Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF); and (iii) Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia (PD).

Assembly participants will have the option to join one of three groups for both the Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions. For the sake of coherence, the assigned group will remain the same for both sessions.

General Secretariat

The General Secretariat oversees the coordination of programmatic, administrative, and financial activities of the organization. The GS comprises various departments such as church and ecumenical relations, relations with ecumenical partners, finance, administration, and communications, which provide crucial support and services for the implementation of programs and contribute to the overall functioning of the CCA.

Programmes: Relations with member churches and councils, ecumenical partners; advocacy at the United Nations; ecumenical responses to emerging issues in solidarity; income development and finance; and communications.

Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF)

Under the MU programme area, the CCA accompanies Asian churches to strengthen their mission and witness in multi-religious contexts, revitalise and nurture church unity and the Asian ecumenical movement, and develop contextual theological foundations.

Programmes: Asian Movement for Christian Unity (AMCU); Congress of Asian Theologians (CATS); Asian women doing theology in the context of wider ecumenism; contextualisation of theology in Asia and ecumenical theological education.

The EF programme area focuses on nurturing and developing ecumenical leaders in Asia. The programme aims to enhance spiritual formation and theological understanding, enabling people to actively engage in ecumenical dialogue and collaboration.

Programmes: Ecumenical Enablers’ Training in Asia (EETA); Asian Ecumenical Institute (AEI); Youth and Women Leadership Development; Ecumenical Spirituality and Nurturing of Contextual Liturgical Traditions; Asia Sunday

Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia and Advocacy (PD)

The BP programme area is dedicated to promoting peace, justice, and reconciliation in Asia’s diverse contexts. Through training, advocacy, and dialogue, the programme addresses the root causes of conflicts, empowers communities, and fosters sustainable peacebuilding initiatives.

Programmes: Pastoral Solidarity Visits; Churches in Action for Moving Beyond Conflict and Resolution; Young Ambassadors of Peace in Asia (YAPA); Ecumenical Women’s Action Against Violence (EWAAV); Eco-Justice for Sustainable Peace in the Oikos.

The PD programme area focuses on promoting justice, human rights, and social transformation in Asia. Through advocacy, capacity-building, and raising awareness, the programme addresses systemic injustice, empowers marginalised communities, and advocates for prophetic actions and meaningful change.

Programmes: Human Rights advocacy; Migration, Statelessness, and Trafficking in Persons; Asian Ecumenical Disability Advocacy Network; Asian Advocacy Network on the Dignity and Rights of Children (AANDRoC); Ecumenical Solidarity Accompaniment and Diakonia in Asia (ESADA); Health and Healing; Good Governance; Action Together to Combat HIV and AIDS in Asia (ATCHAA).

No preference updated.

05 August 2025

Rev. Prof. Dr M. O. John addressing AEI students

Chiang Mai, Thailand: The Asian Ecumenical Institute (AEI) 2025, the annual ecumenical training programme of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), commenced at the CCA headquarters on the Payap University campus in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The AEI-2025 cohort comprises 25 young ecumenists from across Asia.

The theme of this year’s AEI, being held from 4 to 30 August 2025, is “The Nicene Creed: Enduring Faith and Embracing Unity”. 

The theme, which holds special significance as 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, will help nurture a spirit of unity that transcends theological divisions. Throughout the programme, participants will reflect on the theological foundations of the Nicene Creed and reaffirm their faith in the Triune God.

The opening worship provided an opportunity for participants from diverse backgrounds to affirm their shared faith and renew their commitment to serving God and humanity through a witness of justice and peace. Rev. Jung Eun (Grace) Moon, Programme Coordinator of CCA, welcomed participants at the opening session.

Rev. Prof. Dr M. O. John of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church led the introductory thematic sessions on “The Nicene Creed: Enduring Faith and Embracing Unity,” setting the tone for the month-long training and discussions. He offered historical insights into the First Council of Nicaea and its role in producing the Church’s first formal confession of faith. Emphasising the legacy of the early Church fathers, he reminded the participants of the importance of continuing to confess and declare allegiance to the Creed and faith.

In the weeks ahead, a diverse group of internationally recognised theologians, biblical scholars, ecumenical leaders, and social scientists will facilitate academic sessions, offering a range of perspectives to enrich the participants’ ecumenical and theological formation.

For photos of the Asian Ecumenical Institute 2025, please click here.