CCA invites applications for Training of Young Peacebuilders in Conflict Transformation

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.

17 June 2025

Participants of YAPA - 2022

Chiang Mai, Thailand: The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) is inviting applications for the Young Ambassadors of Peace in Asia (YAPA) programme, scheduled to take place from 1 to 8 September 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Under the theme “Sustaining Peace in Asia through Religious Cooperation (SPARC),” YAPA 2025 aims to bring together 25 young leaders from across Asia between the ages of 20 and 30. Since its inception in 2016, YAPA has remained committed to nurturing a new generation of peace advocates who can promote justice, foster harmony, and lead efforts in conflict transformation within their respective communities.

The upcoming training will place a strong emphasis on interfaith and intercultural learning of peace building non-formal peace education methods, and practical approaches to conflict transformation. Participants will engage in sessions that explore the links between human rights, dialogue, and long-term reconciliation. A key component of the YAPA programme is encouraging participants to design and lead peace initiatives within their local contexts after the training.

Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to peacebuilding and reconciliation, as well as relevant experience in youth or community leadership. 

CCA will provide board and lodging for all selected participants. A limited number of subsidies for international travel will be available upon request.

Interested candidates are required to complete an online application. The application deadline is 15 July 2025.

Please click here for more details about Young Ambassador of Peace in Asia (YAPA) – Background Note 2025 

Link to the online Google Form for Application: YAPA – 2025 Application Form

For more information, please visit www.cca.org.hk or contact [email protected].