VELLORE: The Association of Christian Institutes for Social Concern in Asia (ACISCA)is organising its 45th annual conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on November 27 and 28. According to secretary Dr P Jegadish Gandhi. The theme of the conference will be ‘Seeking an Eco-Justified Sustainable Asian Society’.
Gandhi said that since the 1970s, ACISCA has been committed to social transformational and ecumenical dialects and dynamics in the Asian region, to sensitise governments, churches and the community on social issues. Since the ACISCA meet was likely to emerge as a prelude to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, scheduled to take place in Paris from November 30 to December 1, it will also focus on working towards a global agreement on climate change through eco-justice.
He said that climate change is one of the most serious threats especially faced by Asian countries. It will affect not just the environment but also economic prosperity, poverty eradication and global security.
Eco-justice will play a key role in bringing a commitment to ecological sustainability and human justice.
“The message we want to spread to all countries is that growth should be green and inclusive for holistic sustainability,” Gandhi said.
Gandhi quoted the Pope’s statement saying wealthier countries have an ecological debt that must be paid back to poor countries by ending food waste, cutting back on non-renewable energy consumption and investing in sustainable development. Against these emerging scenarios, the conference will discuss challenges that include eco-sustainability in Asia, water as human rights, eco-justice advocacy, youth empowerment and eco-theology. The meet will also release a statement of declaration at the end of the session, he added.