Fr Pedro Walpole (PHI), through his engagement with Asia Forest Network (AFN), had an opportunity to follow up on the actions agreed upon during the Jesuit Conference Social Ministries meeting in Manila last August. In October 2009, with Rowena Soriaga of AFN, he visited several Jesuits in Indonesia interested in contributing to a network of people currently involved in environment related activities.
UNESCO continued its review with Fr Pedro Walpole (PHI) of the teaching through Pulangiyen, a mother tongue based curriculum at Apu Palamugwan Cultural Education Center (APC) near the Bukidnon/Agusan province boundary in Mindanao, Philippines. Working from the indigenous culture that is seeking ancestral recognition of rights from the government, the relationship of education and the land has become increasingly important.
Human development is about putting people at the centre of development. It is about people realizing their potential, increasing their choices and enjoying the freedom to lead lives they value. Since 1990, annual Human Development Reports have explored challenges including poverty, gender, democracy, human rights, cultural liberty, globalization, water scarcity and climate change.
Two Jesuits from OCIPE in Brussels, Frs. José Ignacio Garcia (CAS) and Jacques Haers (BSE), are present at the COP15 Climate Conference in Copenhagen as NGO observers, part of a team of Franciscans International. They keep up a blog, with posts in English and in Spanish, reflecting their personal reflections and experiences. This blog can be visited at http://ignatianeconet.wordpress.com.
MAGiS 2011 begins at Loyola on 5 August, moves to the provinces of Spain and Portugal for the experiments from 8 – 15, then to Madrid for WYD which concludes on the 21st. Organizers are planning for 3000 participants, each should be at least 18 years old as of 5 August 2011. Fr Abel Toraño (CAS) is in charge.
Fr Christian Cochini‘s (CHN) Guide to Buddhist Temples of China – History and Cultural heritage of the main monasteries of the Han nationality, published in Macau by the Macau Ricci Institute, has been recently released. This 528-page English edition of the Guide to Buddhist Temples of China, an exceptional translation of a French edition first published last year, is an ambitious work. Yet this remarkably compact and clearly edited book offers everything a traveller may need for an encounter with Chinese Buddhism. In spite of the seemingly vast amounts of information, Fr Cochini has thoughtfully created an intimate, dynamic portrait of Chinese Buddhism and life among the major monasteries of the Han nationality, from its foundation to the present day.
The World Assembly of SIGNIS (World Catholic Association for Communication) met in Chiang Mai, Thailand in October to discuss the theme Media for a Culture of Peace: Children’s Rights, Tomorrow’s Promise. The Assembly was conducted by SIGNIS President Mr.
Fr Jerry Martinson (CHN) reflects on the subtleties of learning and integrating into a different culture as a Catholic television program producer. Read more. . .
The annual Alumni Homecoming was held this year in the afternoon of October 7. Months before this, invitations were sent mostly to the alumni and friends who are based all over the Philippines. For this year’s highlight, Sr.
Since June 2009, new members have joined the Staff community. Fr James Meehan (PHI) joined the EAPI to help out with the spiritual accompaniment. Fr Arthur Leger (MIC) to assist in the academics. A Salesian priest, Fr. Dennis Paez, has also joined to be a course co-coordinator and resource person in the Sabbatical Pilgrimage Experience.