Both human-made and
natural disasters have undermined economic and social gains
in this region as global warming continues. Haze caused by indiscriminate
burning of trees and vegetation in Indonesia threatened people’s
health in Malaysia and Singapore. Even before communities could
recover from the aftermath of the tsunami of 2004, other natural
disasters such as tidal waves and earthquakes hit parts of Asia.
Avian flu and the HIV/AIDS pandemic pose continuing threats
to Asia. In China alone, HIV-positive cases jumped 30 percent
in 2006. Despite the government’s acknowledgement of the
problem, it is not doing enough to fight HIV, and overcoming
stigma related to AIDS is challenging. In India, UNICEF officials
have noted a decline in public health, especially among married
women and children.
Hidden tensions and violence continue to plague many parts
of the region where aspirations for justice and democracy have
been thwarted by governments quick to use militaristic means
to resolve issues of social and economic inequities.
Instead of providing food for its population, the North Korean
government has invested in its military. North Korea has contributed
to regional tensions by testing nuclear weapons. More asylum
seekers flee to China and South Korea every day. Recent six-party
talks in which China played a significant diplomatic role have
produced some hope that the United States and North Korean governments
will come to a rapprochement that would allow much needed aid
to enter the country.
Peace in Sri Lanka has been elusive as its government has
resumed seeking a military solution to long-standing problems
of inequity and demands for justice. The civil war involving
the Tamils has resumed after peacemaking efforts in which churches
participated were abandoned by the government.
From Nepal to the Philippines, governments have opted for militaristic
approaches that exacerbate social tensions and victimize innocent
people. In Thailand, the military coup in 2006 dealt a blow
to people’s aspirations for more democracy, better governance,
and an end to human rights abuse. The coup symbolized the fears
of many governments in the region over increasing public demands
for transparency and accountability.
In the Philippines, more than 850 people have been killed,
many of whom were grassroots church workers and human rights
advocates who were victims of extrajudicial killings linked
to the military. The National Council of Churches has brought
international attention to the situation through the solidarity
and help of churches in the ecumenical movement. In Senate hearings
in the United States and appeals to human rights bodies in Geneva,
the Philippine government is being pressured to stop the killings.
By taking significant initiatives in interfaith dialogue, churches
in Asia have contributed to bringing peace in areas where interreligious
tensions can easily erupt into violence. In the Philippines,
various church-related organizations held Muslim-Christian dialogues,
and in China, the Shanghai Christian Council began a dialogue
with its Muslim counterparts. In Indonesia, Christians and Muslims
reconciled in an area that had seen terrible violence and bloodshed.
To symbolize their reconciliation, Christians presented a crescent
for the top of a local mosque. In return, the Muslims gave them
a specially made church bell that they presented on their knees
at a church as a mark of repentance for the violence that had
taken place.
This story was shared at the fiftieth anniversary of the Christian
Conference of Asia in March 2007 in Parapat, North Sumatra,
where the conference was conceived fifty years ago. Indonesian
churches hosted the celebration with a closing worship service
at the stadium in Medan where nearly 200,000 Christians from
Muslim-dominated Indonesia participated. It was a sign of hope
that Christians and Muslims can live together in peace.
On the following pages, you will read about the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.)’s work with the region’s partner
churches and ecumenical bodies in promoting peace, justice,
reconciliation, and compassionate ministries. You will learn
about the dedicated Christian leaders and mission personnel
who serve with these partners in Christ’s name.
—Dr. Theresa Carino, coordinator for Amity Foundation,
Hong Kong office, and the Rev. Insik Kim, area coordinator,
Asia and the Pacific, World Mission, General Assembly Council |
