CCA General Secretary urges greater Asian participation and solidarity in Korean Peninsula peace advocacy at WCRC General Council

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.

15 October 2025

CCA General Secretary Dr Mathews George Chunakara speaking at the Korea Peace Action workshop

Chiang Mai, Thailand: During a workshop facilitated by the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) at the 27th General Council of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), Dr Mathews George Chunakara, General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia, stated that the Korean Peninsula is a significant geopolitical concern in Asia. He noted that its importance stems from a complex history, strategic location, and unresolved conflicts that involve multiple external actors and affect many Asian countries.

In this context, Dr Chunakara emphasised that peace advocacy should extend beyond the immediate subregional countries of Northeast Asia, encouraging broader Asian solidarity and engagement by churches and the ecumenical movement.

The CCA General Secretary highlighted the steadfast and enduring efforts of Korean churches, alongside the global ecumenical movement, in promoting peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula, particularly since the Tozanso consultation organised by the World Council of Churches in 1984.

Having been actively involved in ecumenical Korea peace advocacy for over three decades through his roles in both the CCA and the WCC, Dr Chunakara encouraged Korean churches to make every effort to engage all Asian churches in this advocacy. He urged them to invite the wider Asian Christian community to stand in solidarity and actively participate in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Reiterating his remarks during the NCCK’s centenary celebrations in September 2024, Dr Chunakara expressed his deep appreciation for the NCCK’s prophetic witness and missional engagement over the past century.

“Despite numerous challenges, the NCCK has consistently championed the cause of inter-Korean peace and reunification, remaining a symbol of hope and resilience,” Dr Chunakara added.

The workshop, one of several caucus sessions, provided a space for reflection and action, as participants explored how faith can serve as a catalyst for reconciliation in the face of historical wounds and political divisions.

Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) said, “There are moments when the possibilities for peace appear, and then they fade. But persistence brings hope — and hope brings the bright day. Prayer brings hope, and we must never give up. God calls us to peace, to unity, to reconciliation. Keep up the fire; keep igniting our spirits. Something new will come because God is present.”

Rev. Dr Setri Nyomi, WCRC General Secretary, recalled that when he first joined the Communion in 2000, the topic of Korean reunification was already on the table. “As the NCCK celebrated its centenary last year, it was heartening to see that this commitment remains at the forefront of its mission. Nothing demonstrates the call to persevere better than this ongoing pursuit of peace.”

Rev. Dr. Japhet Ndhlovu, Executive Minister of the Church and Mission Unit of the United Church of Canada, moderated the session.

For photos from the NCCK workshop at the WCRC 27th General Council, please click here.