CHIANGMAI GLOBAL GOVERNANCE FORUM (CGGF), OUTCOMES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE ACTION
The Chiangmai Global Governance Forum (CGGF), held on January 13-15, 2025, in Thailand, convened civil society organizations, experts, and stakeholders to address global challenges. Key themes included economic justice, climate action, human rights, and youth empowerment. Discussions highlighted debt crises, climate finance gaps, and shrinking civic space while proposing reforms in global financial systems, stronger human rights protections, and youth inclusion. Key outcomes included a global advocacy calendar, the Pax Jubilee Campaign, and enhanced monitoring tools. The forum emphasized collaboration, accountability, and systemic reform to drive sustainable development, economic equity, and inclusive governance in 2025 and beyond.
CHIANGMAI CATHOLIC CIVIC (CCCF) FORUM 2025: UNITING FOR JUSTICE, PEACE, AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
The Chiangmai Catholic Civic (CCC) Forum 2025, held on January 16-18 in Thailand, united youth leaders, faith-based organizations, and civil society to address social and environmental challenges. Organized by IYTC-Laudato Si’ Center, IMCS Pax Romana, and Pax Christi Korea, the forum emphasized advocacy, interfaith dialogue, and peacebuilding. Key initiatives included the Pax Jubilee Campaign, gathering global commitments for justice and sustainability, and the Catholic Peace Forum, promoting faith-based solutions. CCC 2025 reaffirmed Catholic civil society’s role in global governance, launching a Collective Action Plan to drive faith-driven action for justice, peace, and sustainability worldwide.
WEBINAR: VOICES OF HERITAGE: EMPOWERING INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES AND RIGHTS
The Voices of Heritage: Empowering Indigenous Languages and Rights webinar, hosted by IMCS Asia Pacific on February 21, 2025, gathered indigenous leaders, linguists, and advocates to discuss language preservation and cultural resilience. The session examined historical language suppression, ongoing challenges, and strategies for revitalization.
Key outcomes included heightened awareness of indigenous languages’ role in cultural identity, reflections on colonization’s impact, and the importance of grassroots-led revitalization efforts. Speakers emphasized the need for stronger legal protections, integration of indigenous languages in education and media, and the use of AI for documentation. The event concluded with a call for sustained advocacy and global collaboration to safeguard linguistic diversity.
EMPOWERING YOUNG CATHOLIC LEADERS: THE CATHOLIC YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (CAYLA) 2025
The Catholic Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA) 2025, held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, brought together 16 young Catholic leaders from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam for an intensive 11-day leadership formation program. Organized by the IYTC-Laudato Si’ Centre and IMCS Pax Romana, the program aimed to equip participants with leadership skills rooted in Catholic Social Teaching (CST), enabling them to advocate for social justice, peace, and environmental sustainability.
Inspired by Pope Francis’ call for young people to be “agents of social change,” CAYLA provided hands-on training in advocacy, campaign development, and faith-driven leadership. Participants engaged with key global discussions, including the UN Summit of the Future and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while also launching the Pax Jubilee Campaign (2025-2027). As CAYLA 2025 concluded, its impact extended beyond the training, as participants committed to applying their learnings to create positive change in their communities and beyond.
WEBINAR ON VOICES OF HERITAGE: EMPOWERING INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES AND RIGHTS
The Voices of Heritage: Empowering Indigenous Languages and Rights webinar, hosted by IMCS Asia Pacific on February 21, 2025, gathered indigenous leaders, linguists, and advocates to discuss language preservation and cultural resilience. The session examined historical language suppression, ongoing challenges, and strategies for revitalization.
Key outcomes included heightened awareness of indigenous languages’ role in cultural identity, reflections on colonization’s impact, and the importance of grassroots-led revitalization efforts. Speakers emphasized the need for stronger legal protections, integration of indigenous languages in education and media, and the use of AI for documentation. The event concluded with a call for sustained advocacy and global collaboration to safeguard linguistic diversity.
BREAKING BARRIERS, BUILDING FUTURES: IMCS AP CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2025
IMCS Asia Pacific and IYTC celebrated International Women’s Day 2025 with the webinar “Breaking Barriers, Building Futures.” Moderated by Lucia Damanik, it gathered 33 participants to discuss intersectionality, allyship, and gender equality. Speakers highlighted solidarity, men’s role in advocacy, and strategies for change. The event reinforced the urgency of continuous action, inclusive leadership, and grassroots empowerment.*
