Tales from the Bangkok Immigration Detention Centre
25 Mar 2015

Tales from the Bangkok Immigration Detention Centre

by | posted in: Social Justice | 0

The Bangkok Immigration Detention Centre is neither a prison nor a jail. It is the last barrier for non-Thais awaiting deportation back to their home countries, after finishing their prison sentences or paying court-imposed fines.

These detainees have, for the most part, entered Thailand illegally.  How long they will be in the detention centre depends on many factors – the regulations of their country’s embassy/consulate, their travel documents, a plane ticket, and whether they are physically fit for the flight home.

Increasing collaboration on disaster risk reduction and management
25 Mar 2015

Increasing collaboration on disaster risk reduction and management

by | posted in: JCAP News, Reconciliation with Creation, Social Justice | 0

The Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) is developing a protocol that outlines steps for Jesuits in responding to disasters in this part of the world. Responses to catastrophic events are collaborative in nature, joining local efforts and guiding important international support. This is an ongoing process with other organisations and there is much learning from the experiences of Jesuits on the ground. The effort is also to find ways to collaborate across different phases in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) that demand a wider range of coordination beyond disaster.

SLB renews commitment to a faith that does justice
24 Mar 2015

SLB renews commitment to a faith that does justice

by | posted in: Province News, Social Justice | 0

Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB), the social justice arm of the Philippine Jesuit Province marked 29 years of service to the Church and the Filipino nation recently with a week-long celebration themed “Renewing a Faith that does Justice”. 

Over the years, SLB has evolved and developed programs in response to the needs of Philippine society, and the celebration from February 21 to March 1 was an opportunity to showcase current programs and introduce new ones.

Kidnapped Jesuit released by Taliban
23 Feb 2015

Kidnapped Jesuit released by Taliban

by | posted in: Beyond JCAP, Migration | 0

Indian Jesuit Fr Alexis Prem Kumar SJ has been released by the Taliban after eight months in captivity. Fr Prem had worked for three years as Afghanistan country director for Jesuit Refugee Service in Herat province when he was abducted by gunmen in June last year. 

Strengthening disaster preparedness and evacuation strategies in Payatas
23 Feb 2015

Strengthening disaster preparedness and evacuation strategies in Payatas

by | posted in: Reconciliation with Creation | 0

There is an increasing focus on disaster preparedness in the Philippines, although this is happening at different levels. The general public is learning how to use the available technologies for monitoring hazards and to understand the language used. Many communities are also focused on evacuation strategies and on identifying safe centres that can be used in the event of a disaster.

A Lenten proposal from Cambodia
23 Feb 2015

A Lenten proposal from Cambodia

by | posted in: Reconciliation with Creation, Social Justice | 0

The Jesuits in Cambodia have proposed a fast from pollution this Lent. Why pollution? Their response is that “Pollution weakens our bodies and makes us vulnerable to many diseases such as diarrhoea, chest infections, cancers, respiratory and heart diseases. And the people most likely to be affected first are the poor, due to their already limited access to clean water, clean food and clean air. The poor suffer first.”

In support of this, they provide the following facts:

Providing much needed support for asylum seekers
27 Jan 2015

Providing much needed support for asylum seekers

by | posted in: Migration, Province News, Social Justice | 0

Jesuit Refugee Service Australia has opened a new drop-in centre to address a lack of asylum seeker services in Western Sydney. The project is the result of a needs assessment undertaken by JRS in 2014, which found that the region is home to New South Wales’ second-largest group of asylum seekers arriving by boat and living on bridging visas.