Peace and human security depend on a large extent to the situation where justice prevails, and society is free from any conflict. Conflict in any form contributes to denial of justice and dignity and rights of people and communities. Given the fact that denial of justice are often a precursor to and always a consequence of violent conflicts, churches and ecumenical councils must contribute to their witness in protection of individuals and communities by working with others to build peaceful societies. Justice includes every form of social, economic, political and ecological concerns. It is clear that human security is multi-dimensional.

The issue of peace with justice and human security has been a major concern in Asia in the emerging geopolitical context. For example, the conflict in North East Asia region especially in the Korean peninsula has been a serious concern. In addition to that maritime territorial disputes, growing militarization, and growing sphere of influence of China are other issues and reasons for threat to human security and peaceful coexistence in this region. The new strategic initiative, widely known as the “pivot to Asia” which was launched by the U.S, is a major reason for hampering human security in the region. Despite concerns over the U.S’ strategic goals and plans in Asia, it is a matter of concern in Asia that American military has never been more welcome in Asia than it is today. The Asia region holds seven of the world’s ten largest armed forces and five of the seven US mutual defense treaties – with Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, and Australia. With the U.S now explicitly refocusing its strategic attention on Asia, it is expected that a major historical shift is underway which will have wider repercussions in Asia’s strategic security realms and potential for conflicts.

Many other Asian communities are experiencing violence in various forms. Religious intolerance and religious conflicts are increasing in most countries in Asia and some of the worst forms of such conflicts spill over to different parts of certain countries and even beyond the borders. For example,  ethnic conflicts and sectarian violence in Rakhine state and Shan state in Myanmar  are examples of racial and religious intolerance plaguing a deeply fractured nation still struggling to emerge from half a century of its self-isolation and military rule. Hundreds of people died in clashes between majority Buddhists and minority Muslims belonging to the ethnic Rohingyas. Nepal and Bangladesh are consistently experiencing violence and killings these days. In recent years, politicization of religion has become a way of political parties in Bangladesh to take law and order in their hands. Minority religious communities in Bangladesh – Hindus, Buddhists and Christians – live in a state of fear and terror. Ethnic and religious conflicts and violence kill people in different parts of Pakistan almost every day. Conflicts and violence in the name of religion and ethnicity have become a common trend in other Asian countries such as in Nepal.  India is not an exception to this problem of conflicts in the name of religion and ethnicity. Indonesia, traditionally a tolerant society, is now in the grip of religious hatred and intolerance. Sri Lanka is facing experiences of religious intolerance and conflict. Thailand also experiences a similar situation. Discrimination of people on the basis of caste and denial of their human dignity continue to cause social deprivation and marginalization in South Asia.  As people and communities in various parts of Asia are constantly struggling for peace with justice and security, the churches in Asia have a task to be active partners in building communities of peace with justice and attain the fullness of life.  It is in this context that the Christian Conference of Asia will focus on assisting churches to analyze conflicts situations in their own country situations, and develop methodologies to participate in peace building initiatives. Inter-religious consultations and dialogues will also be held to raise awareness, and to facilitate joint action through inter-religious platforms to contribute towards building peace and sustenance of peaceful societies.