A representative group of Asian churches that participated in the Asia regional consultation on upholding the dignity and rights of children proposed that the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) initiate and facilitate an Asia regional ecumenical advocacy network on dignity and rights of children. The consultation organized by the CCA and hosted by the Gereja Protestan di Indonesia Bagian Barat (GPIB) was held at the headquarters of the GPIB in Jakarta, Indonesia from 16 to 20 September.
As reported by mattersindia.com, CCA General Secretary Dr. Mathews George Chunakara remarked that “The proposal and suggestion that emerged from the participants reflect the successful outcome of the consultation and the efforts of CCA to sensitize the churches to motivate them in taking their engagements in child rights advocacy more seriously.”
A communique adopted and issued by the participants towards the end of the consultation urged churches and ecumenical councils in Asia to facilitate advocacy initiatives at the national levels to influence governments for protecting the rights of children, and collaborate with other faith-based and civil society organisations to work with inter-governmental organisations at the regional and international levels in promoting child rights. The participants also urged churches to develop policies on the participation of children in the decision-making process as an utmost priority, and use the curriculum of Christian education programmes of churches as a means of promoting and upholding the dignity of children.
Source: www.mattersindia.com
