CCA expresses concern over the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh and hopes for the restoration of democracy, peace, and safety at the earliest

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).

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08 August 2024

 

Chiang Mai, Thailand: In light of the escalating violence and political turmoil in Bangladesh, the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) General Secretary, Dr Mathews George Chunakara, sent a pastoral solidarity message to CCA member churches in Bangladesh and the National Council of Churches in Bangladesh (NCCB), expressing profound concern and solidarity.

Dr Mathews George Chunakara informed the churches in Bangladesh, “We stand with you as you provide comfort and support to your communities during this challenging and distressing period. We pray for the restoration of democracy, peace, and safety in the country at the earliest, so that it may resume its path of reform and development, ensuring that the rights and freedoms of its citizens are safeguarded”.

The protest against the quota system for government jobs has escalated into widespread looting and rioting across the country. The minority community, primarily adherents of the Hindu faith, is under attack, with Hindu temples being set on fire and the homes and businesses of Hindus targeted in various areas.

The General Secretary voiced concern over the spread of organised crime and violence directed at minority religious groups and law enforcement officials. He urged all parties to de-escalate the violence and restore a state of calm, emphasising the need for peace and harmony for the nation’s development and progress.

Bangladesh was gripped by a nationwide campaign of civil disobedience, led by student protestors, which erupted over issues related to civil service job reservations and the fixed quota system.

The protest campaign triggered a violent crackdown by the government, resulting in more than 400 deaths and thousands being injured. The protests escalated into a movement demanding the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has since resigned and fled the country.

Nobel laureate and founder of Bangladesh Grameen Bank, Muhammad Yunus, has been appointed as the nation’s interim leader.

The CCA General Secretary added, “We also fervently pray that the leaders who have taken control of the nation are granted wisdom and compassion to steer Bangladesh towards peace with justice, stability, and prosperity”.

The full text of CCA General Secretary’s pastoral letter to Bangladesh churches can be found here.