Continued Learning and Action Program (CLAP) Workshop on Peace and Social Justice
Over the past four years, the CLAP Workshop has been successfully implemented, fostering a generation of young leaders at local, national, and regional levels. The impactful follow-up program, conducted at the grassroots level, has empowered a multitude of young leaders, significantly impacting society.
As 2024 commences, IMCS AP, following the guidance of national leaders during the Asia Pacific Council (APC) meeting in Thailand in June 2023, decided to carry forward its initiatives. With careful consideration, the team has opted to organize these sessions in a hybrid format—virtually for regional dissemination and through in-person workshops at the country level.
In January, the IMCS AP collaborated with Friends of Peace and Social Justice to organize the online CLAP workshop, which focused on Peace and Social Justice over the course of four days. The sessions were held twice a week, every Friday and Saturday. The workshop was conducted successfully, drawing approximately 32 participants from a diverse range of countries, including Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Timor Leste, the Philippines, Uganda, and Kenya.
Throughout the workshop, the facilitator, Atty. Kins Appearance from Friends of Peace and Justice, guided participants in a reflective journey to examine their own notions of peace—spanning personal, peer-level, and community contexts. Participants engaged deeply, connecting their personal experiences with the broader concepts of peacebuilding and maintenance in daily life. The sessions commenced with an exploration of the concept of peace.
Chaplains and Animators Formation and Exchange Program (CAFE)
From February 1-4, 2024, the CAFE program took place in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, under the theme “Revitalizing Student Accompaniment: Revive, Refresh, and Revolutionize (Social-Spiritual and Mental Well-Being of Youth) in South Asia.”
The sessions delved into the realities, challenges, expectations, and best practices of student accompaniment. In these discussions, students articulated their difficulties and aspirations, while chaplains and animators shared their experiences. This exchange enabled them to gain insights into and understand the most effective methods of accompanying students and young individuals.
The program was conducted in a hybrid format, combining both in-person and online participation. It brought together chaplains and animators from AICUF Advisors across India, IMCS Nepal chaplains and animators, and BCSM chaplains, along with students from the AICUF Unit at XIM University. Hosted by the All Indian Catholic University Federation (AICUF), this event was a celebration of its Centennial Year.
The program addressed a wide range of topics, such as the social challenges confronting South Asian youth, insights into the mindset of the current generation, determinants of their socio-spiritual well-being, youth mental health issues, the repercussions of media consumption, and strategies for advisors to provide effective support. It featured interactive sessions between students and advisors, a panel discussion examining the challenges faced by the youth movement along with its aspirations, and the profound impact of artificial intelligence on students’ daily lives. The session culminated in the sharing of exemplary practices in youth mentorship from Nepal, Bangladesh, and India.
IMCS AP – Women Empowerment and Gender Equity Commission
In preparation for and in participation for the virtual Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation of the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 68), which is focused on the priority theme “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective”, the members of the IMCS-AP Commission on Women Empowerment and Gender Equity engaged in brainstorming sessions and issued statements related to the theme.
Below are some of the statements shared by the members:
“I had the opportunity to participate in the Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation on the priority theme of the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. The event focused on “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective.” I had joined the consultation online via Zoom on February 6th and 7th, 2024, connecting with participants from across the region. Throughout the two days, it was inspiring to witness the exchange of knowledge and the sharing of good practices aimed at advancing gender equality and addressing poverty through strengthened institutions and financing mechanisms with a gender perspective. Overall, the consultation underscored the importance of collaboration and collective action in driving forward initiatives for gender equality. I’m looking forward to future opportunities for engagement and collaboration in this critical area.” shared Rochelle Furtado, Member, WEGE Commission.
“It was my first time in the international forum. This time, I prepared my consent for the raising awareness and policies for the sex-education in the early age, that will reduce the child marriage and any kind of sexual abuses because of the lack of knowledge, at the same time, for the women’s health after marriage.” shared Shivanthie Fernando, Member, WEGE Commission.
World Forum on Theology and Liberation (WFTL)
The World Forum on Theology and Liberation (WFTL) was held in Godawari, Kathmandu, Nepal from February 13 to 19, 2024. It presented a valuable opportunity for engagement, contribution, learning, and the re-evaluation of existing ideas within this forum.
Our participation involved bringing the perspectives of youth groups into discussions centered on the theme of “Politics and Religion from the Perspective of Liberation and Care.” The sessions, discussions, and reflections at the forum provided a platform for exploring faith practices and the interplay between religion and politics, aiming to foster justice and well-being with a focus on local and regional contexts. Meanwhile, the discourse also touched upon human rights, environmental justice, the rights of indigenous peoples, gender issues, youth, and intergenerational relations.
The participants of IMCS had the opportunity to engage deeply with the forum, listening to insights, learning and unlearning, as well as sharing perspectives on the student movements in Asian countries, including their engagements and contributions. We were delighted to meet such incredible individuals during the program, build connections, and anticipate their participation and contributions in the future.
Catholic Social Forum (CSF) – Youth Dialogue at the World Social Forum (WSF) in Nepal with the Theme: Inter-generational Dialogue for “Another World Is Possible”
At the World Social Forum, the International Youth Training Center (IYTC), in partnership with the International Movement of Catholic Students Asia Pacific and IMCS Nepal, hosted a side-event titled the Catholic Social Forum (CSF) – Youth Dialogue. This impactful session took place on 17 February 2024 at St. Xavier College, Maitighar, Kathmandu, under the compelling theme: “Inter-generational Dialogue for ‘Another World Is Possible’.”
During the forum, the panelists shared their insights on the current global situation, emphasizing the unification of individuals for the World Social Forum (WSF) and their dedication to fostering peace and justice. They aligned their discussion with the overarching theme that another world is indeed possible. This segment was followed by a group discussion, engaging around 40 participants both in-person and through a Zoom meeting. The dialogue centered on identifying the challenges the world faces, based on the participants’ experiences, and exploring.*