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Christian Conference of Asia
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CCA workshop on post-tsunami situationThe Christian Conference of Asia will organise soon a workshop on "Ecumenical ministry in post-tsunami situation." The 27-30 January workshop in Colombo, Sri Lanka is expected to produce a common policy, strategy and some dynamics for ecumenical ministry in the post-tsunami situation in Asia. One of the objectives of the workshop is to develop a "people-centred reconstruction process and disaster-to-relief-reconstruction-to-development agenda" for the churches and related organisations in the region. The workshop will begin on 27 January morning at the Sri Lankan capital with an opening worship led by the CCA General Secretary Dr Ahn Jae Woong. Field visit to the southern town of Galle, which was badly affected by the giant waves, will be one of the highlights of the program. Some 30 participants from the tsunami-affected countries in Asia, including representatives from Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist faiths, will get an opportunity to meet and talk with victims, religious leaders and civil society groups during the field visit. The workshop is expected to produce mid-term and long-term plans for handling natural disasters, which many Asian countries face from time to time. Plans for restoring the livelihood capacities of the victims are likely to get attention during the workshop. According to the CCA Executive Secretary Dr Lee Hong Jung, who is coordinating the workshop, the churches in Asia have tried to respond to such situations to the best of their capacities, though on an ad hoc basis. The churches have much more to do by way of mid and long term measures, he feels. In a background paper, he mentions about studies which have shown that victims affected by natural disasters remain vulnerable for many years while relief and aid agencies move on to the next crisis. "As Asian churches, we need to change this pattern and in its place, institute plans for preparedness and mechanisms for reconstruction that leads to development." Hong Jung has noted that many Asian churches lived in the neighbourhoods of communities who bore the brunt of the 26 December tsunami tragedy, like fisher people, poor farmers and people directly and indirectly depend upon tourism industry in the coastal areas of many Asian countries. The churches must have long-term plans for the people and communities to give them hope, courage, skills and resources. In this process, friends, donors, partners like ACTS and churches from other parts of the world should also be given space to make their contributions. "We cannot ask them to take responsibility on our behalf while we do nothing, he added. Among the other objectives of the workshop are: --to express solidarity with the people of countries affected by the tsunami disaster --to share assessment of needs of those most affected by the disaster and its aftermath, and --to contribute towards the building of communities of life and peace for all in Asia through ecumenical ministry for healing and reconciliation. According to the organisers, one of the challenges of the workshop will be to plan efforts to take the relief stage forward to reconstruction and development. posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 |
