Meet the new president of Oikosnet, Serop Megerditchian (Aleppo/Syria)

Oikosnet Asia/ACISCA: Consultation on Gaza Conflict

National Consultation on Gaza Conflict – Search for Sustainable Peace

March 18 – 19, 2009

ICSA Guest House, Chennai, India.

Total 26 participants and 5 resources persons attended.

National Consultation on Gaza conflict was organized with main objects:

1. To understand that conflict is over resources, rights and survival not a religious (as per Nuha Khoury from Bethlehem).

2. It is very sensitive and dangerous. It will involve whole of Middle East, even rest of the world.

3. ACISCA stands for peace, justice and equality

4. To express our solidarity with the people of Palestine, Israel and Oikosnet friends in Bethlehem and Middle East.

The old question is – to whom belongs Israel? 2000 years ago, as the Roman Empire destroyed Judea and the Old Jerusalem; the Jews fled to Europe, Africa and Asia and became important traders. Around 680 AD Muslims occupied the Holy Land – and 1000 years ago the Pope ordered the Christians in Europe to evict the Muslims from the Holy Land, because it belongs to the Christians and not to Muslims – and the first crusades fought against these Muslims in the Holy Land and since this time we have war in this part of the world. The Muslims are convinced they are the owners of this land - as many as Jews returned to the Holy Land again, in the year 1948 – this land get a new name – Israel. This land is important for 3 religions – for Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Dr. John Zechariah explained various issues concerning Gaza Conflict in his opening address:

1. Israel – Palestinian conflict issues:

Divisive History

1. Occupation, Land and Settlement
2. Palestinian State
3. Refugees
4. Palestinian Terror
5. Israel Repression
6. Israel Security
7. Water
8. Jerusalem

Current Issues in the Israel – Palestinian Conflict:

1. Death of Yasser Araft
2. Hamas election victory
3. Recognizing Israel
4. Palestinian Unity and Quartet boycott
5. Collapse of the Palestinian authority
6. Truce and violence
7. Security
8. Provisional State versus Final Status
9. Qassam Rockets
10. Kidnapped Soldier
11. Israeli Security Handover
12. The “Security barrier” (Apartheid Wall)
13. Prisoners
14. Disengagement
15. Safe Passage and open borders
16. Israel Outposts
17. Peace Proposal

2. Is there a connection between Bible prophecy and the war in Gaza?

3. The headlines in recent days are worth considering and disturbing.

4. Can Israeli actions in Gaza be justified?

5. Scripture Interpretations/Comments for peace:

6. How to Achieve Sustainable peace:

Just as the head of the largest evangelical body in the world, I like to avoid blaming either side for the current outbreak, instead I would urge international community (Global Oiksonet) to pray and make all possible efforts to end this complicated and dangers hostility. Meditation is better than Mediation.

7. Challenges for this consultation:

1. How can we find solution for daily realities in the region?

2. Israel – Palestinian Conflict/war, can we call it a “Just War”

3. Does the religion play a role in this conflict?

4. How important Jerusalem in this conflict?

5. What is God’s intention? Is God neutral in this matter?

6. Is outside interference necessary?

7. How can we get everlasting peace in the region?

The consultation also discussed other important issues regarding the Gaza conflict:

1. Rt. Rev. Dr. M. Azariah, Former Bishop of Madras Diocese, Church of South India

Opening remarks

2. Dr. P. Jegadish Gandhi

Gaza Conflict: Concerns and Cohesions in Peace Making

3. Rev. Dr. Charles Singaram

Gaza Conflict: General View

4. Dr. John Zechariah

Reflection of Oikosnet Centers on Gaza Conflict

5. Rev. Dr. David Joy

Understanding Gaza Conflict with a Christian Perspective which is board based

and unbiased.

Dr. Felix Sugirtharaj and Rev. Oommen Varkey led us in morning devotion

Mr. Sudhakar Ramteke and Mr. K.I. Ninan Chaired the sessions and gave their comments.

Statement and Resolution was passed

Contact: Dr. John Zechariah, issa.zechariah@gmail.com

Oikosnet Asia/ACISCA: Directors Meeting

Directors Meeting 2008

Peace Building in the Context of Mission and Ecumenism in ACISCA/OIKOSNET ASIA.

December 26-29, 2008

Students Christian Center, Bangkok, Thailand

 

Human history reveals the fact that human beings always wish to live in peace, tranquility and prosperity. Building peace has been an illusive goal of civilizations throughout history. The inherent nature of humans to secure their own vested interests has played a very negative role in alienating humans from each other. God created humans to propagate love, peace and uphold the human dignity and justice, but unfortunately, the same became a victim of hatred and prejudices, which destroyed the social fabric.

 

“Peace” is common word that we could find every where in our daily life and in all situations. All religious Holy books and teachings deal with peace. For example in Christianity we say “Shalom”, in Islam “Salaam” and “Shanty” in Hinduism and Buddhism.

 

Once, Mother Theresa said, “Peace is not something you wish for, it is something you make, something you do, something you are, something you give away.”

 

Dr. John Zechariah in his opening address highlighted:

 

1. What it means to build a Lasting Peace:

2. Peace Making and Peace Keeping:

3. Peace Building Measures:

4. Difference in Western and Eastern Approach:

5. The Role of Ecumenism:

5. The Mission and Ecumenism of ACISCA/Oikosnet Asia.

 

The theme was well presented by resources persons and discussed with great interest and meaningfully;

 

Dr. John Zechariah, Chairman ACISCA (Opening Address)

Peace Building in the Context of Mission and Ecumenism in ACISCA

Dr. Prawate Kidran, General Secretary CCA

           Wider Ecumenism and Spirituality in the Context Peace in Asia

Rev. Dr. Chuleephan Srisoonthorn

Developing Leadership toward Peace Building

MI. Chaturapit Chompunut

            Present and Future Social and Economic Reality in Asia

 

Mr. Sudhakar Ramteke, Dr. Felix Sugirtharaj and Ms. Priscilla Atual expressed their views on the theme.

 

Monday 29^th was ACISCA business session.  The proceedings of the meeting already sent to center’s directors.

Contact: Dr. John Zechariah, issa.zechariah@gmail.com

Oikosnet Asia: Leadership training for youth

Training on Spirituality and Responsible Leadership for Christian Youth at ACISCA centers in Asia.

December 13-18, 2009

Total 25 participants and 5 resource persons attended

Kappatiran - Kaunlaran Foundation, Inc and Social Pastoral Institute Manila, Philippines.

The world needs – men and women who are more than just managers of people, money and organizations. Leadership is always crucial to the church’s worldwide enterprise. But at the present moment, it seems to me good leadership is essentially urgent.

Every leader today should ask “Who is going to take my place? Who is God rising up? How can I help and encourage the new leadership”? In pursuit of growth and prosperity, we have lost the biblical principles in selecting, training and encouraging right leaders for the church and organizations. ACISCA strongly believes in youth capacity building and considers it has tool to promote efficiency and development for our organizations and churches. I am sure such training will benefit and fulfill our mission and objectives.

We can describe leaders from several perspectives, each of which casts a different light on what goes into the complex task of leadership responsibilities.

A good Christian leader may serve as a Visionary, Influencer, Passion infuser, Team builder, Victorious sufferer, Fighter, Helper and giver, Determined Man or Woman of Integrity, Stabilizer, Compromiser, Encourager and Servant-leader (Dr. John Zechariah).

The training was well organized by Ms. Priscilla Atual and Paul Edward Muego and Social Pastoral Institute staff. The following topics were presented and discussed:

1. Dr. John Zechariah, Chairman ACISCA

Spirituality and Responsible Leadership for Christian Youth at Ecumenical Centers of Asia

2. Rev. George Buenaventura - Biblico-Theological Reflection

3. Dr. Angeloto Manalili – Community Development Framework

4. Joey Clemente – Reflections on Empowering and Transformative Spirituality

5. Rainer John Rosal Torres – Third Look at Jesus

6. Dr. John Zechariah – Ecumenical Leadership Formation

7. Norma Dollaga – Youth Ecumenical Movement

Apart from lectures and discussions we visited communities in Manila and had useful sharing and learning experience.

ACISCA believes in Youth Capacity Building. Therefore, this training was organized to improve efficiency, commitment to fulfill vision for our organizations and to become effective leaders for

21^st Century.

Contact: Dr. John Zechariah, issa.zechariah@gmail.com

Oikosnet Africa: Pre.assembly DPC workshop in Ghana

The

Ramseyer Training Centre in Abetifi hosted from 26 - 29 November 2008 the workshop included as a pre-event before the General Assembly of ACLCA. The training team - Jaap vand der Sar, Igeme Katagwe, Iulia Picu - introduced 26 participants from all over Africa, members of ACLCA, to the content of Dialogue for Peaceful Change, with emphasis on aspects like communication, models of understanding human behaviour when conflicts are arising or present – as well as different possibilities of dealing with conflicts. Quite some time was spent on mediation, both formal and informal.Through experiential learning, the participants were led into becoming aware of their almost instinctive reactions in conflict situations and understand that they could bring their own experience and knowledge as a key-resource to the workshop.The reactions, both in a verbal round in the last plenary session as well as on paper, indicated that participants recognised the patterns, as they were taught. There was an overwhelming positive response and requests for future training to be held in other centres.

"On my part what I found striking especially from participants is the avalache of requests to hold DPC in their Centers. Two ladies from Cameroon were emphatic and made it my farewell message that I should arrange a DPC workshop for francophone Africa. I spoke to the Francophone representative, Dr Pascal Foussou, who was excited about the idea. In a nutshell life in Africa is bridled with types of conflict that can have social disruption on unwanted scale. So DPC training with its emphasis on mediative skills is appropriate. With Africa we have to widen the part of mediative behaviour because of the latent conflicts that are on the rise regarding different enthnic communities"

Igeme Katagwe

From the DPC blog

Pray for India

Global Oikosnet Leaders.

Dear Friends:

Greetings from ACISCA/OIKOSNET ASIA.

I wish to thank friends who have expressed sympathy and solidarity for the people who died and wounded in Mumbai terrorist attack. I appreciate your initiative. Thank you so much.

Let us all join and express our sorrow, sympathy.and solidarity with the people of India.

The terror attacks of 11/26 on Mumbai had aim not only to terrorize the Indians but the whole world as they had tried during 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. The similarity is easy to identify. The terrorist selected major multicultural cities and tried to terrorize every section, irrespective of caste, religion, and race. The attacks are inhuman, mindless and meaningless. More than 200 innocent lives were lost including 20 valiant men on duty who laid down their lives. There is a mood of anger, frustration. The terrorist threat is not over. Indian home ministry warned of possible use of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons by terrorists. Biological attack likely in next 5 years, a top US panel said, identifying Pakistan as an area of "grave concern" due to terror networks, history of instability and its atomic arsenal.

The objective behind a terror strike is not necessarily retribution for perceived injustice being done to any particular community - as was the case with the serial blasts in Mumbai. That was ostensibly to seek revenge for the attacks on the minority community in various parts of India. Today, the terrorists have larger agenda, not limited to local regions, states or even the nation. They have gone pan-global. And terror strikes have assumed multi-dimensional objectives. One of the major objectives is obviously to send a message to the ruling establishment, and in effect to the rest of world, which is - don't mess with us, we are capable of inflicting massive damage.

It is high time for everyone to understand that violence does not solve the problem but merely makes matters worse. Today world needs peace. Peace demands a mentality and a spirit which must permeate us who wishes to bring peace. Peace is first and foremost personal, before it is social. Every one needs to cultivate spirit of peace and consider it has duty. The soul of peace is love. Let us keep our hearts in peace let nothing in this world disturb it.

Let us pray for India and world in its need, asking God to bring peace, harmony and progress. Let us pray that God's will may be done in the world. His purposes are deeper and wiser than anything we can imagine.

Friends, may I suggest to organize prayer meetings at our centers for peace in India and world.

God bless you.

Yours Sincerely

John Zechariah

Chairman ACISCA/Oikosnet Asia.

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issa.zechariah@gmail.com

Colombia: Oikosnet America Latina realizó su VI Curso Regional enfocado en la construcción de paz y justicia

Víctor Liza Jaramillo
Barranquilla, viernes, 26 de septiembre de 2008 (ALC) - Del 12 al 21 de septiembre pasados, la Red Ecuménica de Centros Laicos – Oikosnet América Latina desarrolló su VI Curso Regional, denominado “Construcción de Paz con Justicia en los Procesos Latinoamericanos”, en la ciudad de Barranquilla, Colombia.

En el curso participaron representantes de diversas organizaciones y centros de formación ecuménica de distintos países, como Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Perú y República Dominicana, además de los participantes de Colombia, país anfitrión.

Como facilitadores estuvieron el teólogo chileno Álvaro Ramis, y la psicóloga uruguaya Alicia Zijlstra, quienes trabajaron con los participantes el tema de la Mediación de Conflictos. También acompañaron el proceso Jerry Garavito, del Centro de Estudios y Desarrollo de Derechos Humanos; el coordinador de Oikosnet, Germán Zárate, y Guillermo Suárez, coordinador del curso; todos de Colombia.

Una de las actividades más resaltantes del curso, fue la visita realizada a la comunidad de Piojó el miércoles 17. En esta localidad se encuentran varios desplazados por el enfrentamiento entre el ejército colombiano y la guerrilla, que no han sido atendidos por el Estado hasta el momento.

Fue una experiencia enriquecedora para los presentes, no solamente por haber compartido con gente que tiene muy poco, sino por el difícil camino para llegar hasta este lugar, entre árboles y tierra convertida en barro por la lluvia.

El objetivo central del VI Curso fue fortalecer las capacidades de los y las participantes, con la finalidad de promover la construcción de una cultura de paz, acompañada de justicia y dignidad, desde la intervención en las causas estructurales y culturales de los conflictos en cada una de las realidades latinoamericanas.

La Red Ecuménica de Centros Laicos (OIKOSNET - América Latina) está integrada por organizaciones de 10 países de América Latina, a saber: Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El salvador, Paraguay, Perú, Uruguay y Venezuela. Además, mantiene contactos con organizaciones de otros países latinoamericanos y caribeños. La principal meta es el encuentro y el compartir las experiencias de los centros que trabajan en educación, formación ecuménica y desarrollo humano, buscando hacer más eficiente y solidario su servicio y misión en la región.

OIKOSNET - América Latina es una de las asociaciones regionales de OIKOSNET, la Red Global de Centros Laicos, Academias y Movimientos de Interés Social que trabajan por comunidades justas, participativas, sustentables e inclusivas.

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