As Asia’s population approaches four billion, or more than half of the world’s population, the continent presents startling contrasts of wealth and poverty. While its governments range from the autocratic to the democratic, Asia has the potential for exponential economic growth and significant advances in science, health and technology. But the cost of development must take social justice and environmental values into account. In Asia the U.S. encounters ancient cultures and values from which it could learn much, as well as markets and trade opportunities that could benefit both Asia and the U.S. At the same time, robust Asian economies are potential competitors that could challenge the U.S.’s economic dominance in the world. With the U.S., Europe and giants such as China and India competing for critical natural resources, the globalized economy will demand political considerations – and concessions – of the U.S.
The Office for Global Concerns depends on the experience of Maryknoll missioners in Asia, who are deeply involved in many aspects of their hosts’ lives – religious, social, political and economic. Maryknoll personnel act as partners in diverse apostolates – in parish ministry, health work and education. Missioners work with persons with HIV and AIDS and with special needs. They support those living on the margins – people who are displaced, refugees, foreign workers – as they seek to promote peace, social justice and the integrity of creation.
The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined a coalition of over 180 organizations in sigining this letter to the UN Security Council urging them to hold the Myanmar miitary junta accountable for violating the human rights of women.
Eight national Catholic organizations sent a statement to President Joe Biden and Congress.
Eight years after 112 died in a fire at a garment factory, survivors stage protest calling for help from the prime minister. UCANews published this article, excerpted here, on November 25, 2020.
A new youth protest movement calling for greater democratic norms has emerged in Thailand.
Bangladesh has experienced severe flooding, storms, and loss during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns signed on to the following statement in July 2020 in support of the Korean American Churches.
The Catholic Church in Hong Kong raises concerns that a new security law will threaten the basic rights and freedoms of the territory’s people.
The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined a number of organizations in sending the following letter to House leadership asking Congress to include humanitarian assistance for North Korea in the next COVID-19 relief bill.
Maria Montello, a Maryknoll Lay Missioner serving in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, reflects on recognizing Christ in our daily lives.
Korea Peace Now!, a global movement of women mobilizing to end the Korean War, commissioned an international and multidisciplinary panel of independent experts to assess the human cost of sanctions on North Korea, and particularly on North Korean women. The following is the executive summary of the 48-page report.
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi defended the government of Burma (Myanmar) against charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice in the Hague in December, despite graphic evidence to the contrary. Kenneth Wong, a Burmese-American writer and lecturer at the University of Berkeley wrote about it on his blog https://kennethwongsf.blogspot.com/, which is reprinted here with permission.
The impunity of human rights violators in the Philippines continues to worsen as killings of, and trumped-up charges filed against, dissenting social movement leaders and religious groups add to the already bloody campaign of the government against drugs.
Maryknoll Lay Missioner Karen Bortvedt reflects on lessons she learned from the deaf community in Cambodia.
On February 27 and 28, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un and U.S. President Donald Trump met in Hanoi for their second summit, a meeting which abruptly ended without an agreement.
Support a formal end to the Korean War.
Loreta Castro, director of the Center for Peace Education at Miriam College, in Quezon City, Philippines, writes about the current political challenges in the Philippines.
Maryknoll Father James Kroeger reflects on what he calls the heart of mission – the compassion of God.
Maryknoll Sister Marie Leonor Montiel, director of a program that helps people affected by HIV/AIDS in Cambodia, writes about the recent general election in which the party of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power since 1985, says it won a landslide victory.
