Cambodia election surprise
17 Jul 2012

Cambodia election surprise

by | posted in: Social Justice | 0

The one surprising feature of the recent municipal elections in Cambodia was the modest success of the Human Rights Party.  The party had 800 councillors elected and won control of 18 communes among a total of 14,549 councillors and 1,633 communes.  The Human Rights Party is small and has no sophisticated political organization or public relations policy.  Few political commentators predicted such an outcome for this tiny party.  The massive success of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party with 8,283 councillors and 1,592 communes was predictable.  The Sam Rainsy part

JRS publishes guide for advocates in Southeast Asia
17 Jul 2012

JRS publishes guide for advocates in Southeast Asia

by | posted in: Migration, Social Justice | 0

Jesuit Refugee Service Asia Pacific has published a practical guide for advocates of asylum seekers and refugees in five countries in Southeast Asia.  Entitled “The Search: Protection Space in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, The Philippines and Cambodia in Practice”, the document will help advocates in these countries to give accurate informat

JCAP releases report for 2012
26 Jun 2012

JCAP releases report for 2012

by | posted in: Education, International Works, Migration, Reconciliation with Creation, Social Justice | 0

The Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific has produced a modest 16-page annual report, simply titled “Jesuits in Asia Pacific 2012”. 

A simple man
23 Jun 2012

A simple man

by | posted in: Education | 0

Fr Pierre Ceyrac SJ died in Chennai late last month at the age of 98. He was one of the most remarkable Jesuits I have met. Several entries in Wikipedia refer to him, always as ‘the famous Pierre Ceyrac’. This epithet usually designates someone with a well-crafted public personality. Pierre was different. He was so totally transparent that he invited everyone he met into his inner self. That is why he became so widely known and loved.

Education initiatives, opportunities and challenges
23 Jun 2012

Education initiatives, opportunities and challenges

by | posted in: Education | 0

Education continues to be a priority for Jesuits in Asia Pacific, as the recent JCAP meeting of Province delegates for pre-secondary and secondary education revealed.  

Several new initiatives in education are underway or proposed within the Conference.

You are not forgotten
23 Jun 2012

You are not forgotten

by | posted in: Social Justice | 0

“You are not forgotten,” said Aung San Suu Kyi.  “Pass this message to those behind you and on to others.” Not permitted a microphone, the Burmese pro-democracy leader called out to the crowd of refugees and migrants at the border refugee encampment of Mae La in May on her first visit abroad in 24 years.  Her clear message of hope quickly reached the hundreds of thousands of Myanmar citizens, who had waited decades in squalid jungle camps along the length of the 1,300 km Thai-Myanmar border.

Discussing faith, social justice and public policy
23 May 2012

Discussing faith, social justice and public policy

by | posted in: Interreligious Dialogue, Migration, Social Justice | 0

The Metta Karuna Reflection Centre in Siem Riep, Cambodia hosted an open discussion on faith and its impact and influence on public policy on May 10.  The discussion flowed from a lecture delivered by Fr Frank Brennan SJ on “Faith, Social Justice and Public Policy”.  Fr Brennan is Professor of Law with the Public Policy Institute,

, , , ,
Changing to best serve the universal mission
23 May 2012

Changing to best serve the universal mission

by | | 0

The Society is now at a new stage brought about by a couple of converging factors – the demographic realities and how we can best serve the universal mission today.

Our numbers have been in decline for the last 40 years – from over 30,000 in the 1960s to fewer than 18,000 today.  The steep declines in Europe and North America and consistent decline in Latin America have not been offset by the significant increase in South Asia and a small rise in Africa.  

Fostering peace and justice in Cambodia and beyond
22 Apr 2012

Fostering peace and justice in Cambodia and beyond

by | posted in: Education, Interreligious Dialogue, Social Justice, Spirituality | 0

The Metta Karuna Reflection Centre provided a sacred space for reflection for Hindu, Muslim and Christian peace seekers from Pakistan and Indian Kashmir in March.

“Many said the time of reflection they spent in our inter-faith sacred space helped them crystallise their desires and arouse their imagination for a peaceful way forward,” said centre founder and director of Jesuit Refugee Service Cambodia Sr Denise Coghlan RSM. “It was a special moment as Hindus, Muslims and Christians gathered around a very concrete and specific peace challenge in Kashmir.”