CCA urges all sides in Nepal to exercise restraint and pursue dialogue for resolution of ongoing crisis

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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10 September 2025

Chiang Mai, Thailand: The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) has expressed grave concern over the tragic loss of lives and escalating violence during the past two days amid Gen Z-led protests in Nepal. The unrest, which began on 8 September, is rapidly threatening peace and the safety of civilians across the nation.

Reports indicate that over 22 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in clashes between police and anti-corruption protesters. These demonstrations were sparked by a government-imposed social media ban and widespread frustration over corruption and economic hardship. Protestors have reportedly set fire to government buildings and the private residences of former ministers, while security forces have used live ammunition, tear gas, and rubber bullets, raising serious concerns about disproportionate use of force. 

In a statement issued on 10 September 2025, CCA General Secretary Dr Mathews George Chunakara said, “We are disturbed by accounts of disproportionate use of force by security personnel in dealing with protestors. At the same time, we implore protestors to pursue their grievances through dialogue and other peaceful means, refraining from attacks on infrastructure or actions that endanger peace and security in the country. The ongoing destruction of government and private property only fuels chaos and deepens national instability.”

Dr Chunakara stated, “CCA calls for accountability for all acts of violence and the rapid initiation of meaningful dialogue among all stakeholders, ensuring the safety, rights, and dignity of every citizen as the highest priority. Immediate de-escalation of tensions is critical”. 

CCA urgently appeals to all authorities to exercise maximum restraint, protect lives, and prevent further bloodshed.

CCA also calls on its member churches and councils to pray for Nepal to regain stability and harmony quickly, for tensions to ease, and for the everyday life of its citizens to be restored safely and peacefully.

The full text of the CCA General Secretary's statement can be found here: