CCA reaffirms commitment to human rights advocacy on Human Rights Day 2024

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 December 2024

Photo: The United Nations Human Rights Office

Chiang Mai, Thailand: On Human Rights Day, observed annually on 10 December, the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to advocating for human rights across Asia.

Under the 2024 theme, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now”, the CCA called for immediate action to uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals, stressing the urgent need for collective responsibility in shaping a future rooted in justice, peace, and equality.

In the statement, CCA General Secretary Dr Mathews George Chunakara highlighted the deep-rooted challenges facing Asia, urging that these systemic inequalities demand a united response. He called on governments, civil society, and faith communities to uphold the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and take decisive action to address and overcome these injustices.

Dr Chunakara stated, “The Church in Asia bears a significant responsibility as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change. Rooted in Christ’s teachings, the Church is called to protect human dignity by standing in support of those whose rights are under threat, ensuring that no one is left unheard or unseen.”

He added, “This mission is not merely a duty but a sacred calling, one that invites the Church to embody the love of Christ in tangible ways, working alongside others to bring light and hope to a world in need of healing and transformation.”

Dr Chunakara also called for enhanced collaboration between churches, governments, and local organisations to promote equality, ensure access to education, and advocate for policies that prioritise fairness and human dignity. He emphasised the critical importance of protecting children’s rights, recognising their vulnerability and the need to safeguard their future to build a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world.

The full text of the CCA General Secretary’s Statement on Human Rights Day 2024 can be found here: