CCA Congratulates the First Civilian President of Myanmar after 50 years of Military Rule

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).

First Preference:
Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia and Advocacy (PD)
Second Preference:
Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF)
15 March 2016

Myanmar-General-Elections

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Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) congratulated newly elected President of Myanmar Mr. Htin Kyaw, the first civilian elected to lead the country after more than 50 years of military rule.

In a letter of congratulations addressed to the newly elected president of Myanmar, CCA General Secretary Dr. Mathews George Chunakara stated, “Myanmar’s recent presidential election could be an important milestone in Myanmar’s democratic transition. May the efforts by the new president and his government forge reconciliation and sustained peace in the country".

The CCA's General Secretary also added that, “the victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD) under the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi during the general election in the country in November last year reflected the hope and aspirations of the Myanmar people for a genuine peace to move beyond conflicts. Now all key stakeholders, including the military, have demonstrated their political maturity as well as a commitment to work together for the people of Myanmar, who have been longing for peace with justice”.

“The outcome of the previous parliament election as well as the presidential elections were remarkable achievements due to the sacrifices of numerous people who struggled for justice, peace, freedom and human rights. We pray God’s divine grace further lead the country and its rulers to fulfil the people’s aspirations and an orderly transition to a democratic government”, he added.

The NLD, under the leadership of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, won a historic parliamentary election, held in November 2015. However, Ms. Suu Kyi, who made tireless efforts and sacrifices over so many years failed to persuade the military to allow a clause in the Constitution barring her from the presidency to be overruled. Under the clause Suu Kyi cannot be elected as the president as her two sons are holding British citizenship.

The long history of military rule in the country fuelled ethnic conflicts, gross violations of human rights and political imprisonments.

CCA has been concerned and consistently worked for peace and reconciliation in Myanmar over the years.