Jesuits and co-workers in the social apostolate from the Asia-Pacific region met in Manila 17 – 21 August. The purpose of the meeting was to explore collaboration to achieve greater synergy for universal mission within the territory of the Jesuit Conference of East Asia and Oceania, and internationally. Participants from the Australia, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Micronesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Timor Leste, and Vietnam were joined by Fernando Franco SJ, Director of the Social Justice Secretariat in Rome.

From among the themes already identified by the Ignatian Advocacy Network at the international level, the meeting identified migration, interfaith collaboration, and environmental issues as being of the greatest concern in the Asia-Pacific region. The formation of young Jesuits and of co-workers for work in the social apostolate also emerged as a key concern, as did support for the regions of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Timor Leste. Formation and support for the regions of the Conference are established JCEAO priorities and the gathering wished to ensure that the social dimension is emphasized within them.

While this was the first social apostolate meeting of JCEAO in several years, Conference President Mark Raper has made a commitment to support annual meetings. A reference team has been appointed to support and assist Denis Kim, the Conference Social Apostolate Coordinator, and networks are being formed around key concerns. Already action plans are being developed. The next social apostolate gathering is planned for August 2010.

To assist JCEAO in its general planning, a mapping exercise has begun to identify key people and organizations active in the social apostolate in the Asia-Pacific region, to understand the socio-economic context of the Asia-Pacific region, and to identify possible creative responses to the challenges. It is expected that this exercise will provide more detailed information to support social apostolate networks on environmental issues, migration, and key issues in the regions.