10th Governance Assembly Information – Religions for Peace Asia

1. Introduction

The Governance Assembly is the supreme governing body of ACRP, and it generally meets once every five years. The key functions of Governance Assembly are to review the performance and activities of the past five years to initiate new activities and polices to set new directions and goals for ACRP. It further carries out its important task in endorsing membership additions and in electing the office-bearers of the organization.

Founded in 1974, ACRP has convened nine Assemblies: the first in Singapore (1976), the second in New Delhi, India (1981), the third in Seoul, the Republic of Korea (1986), the fourth in Katmandu, Nepal (1991), the fifth in Ayutthaya, Thailand (1996), the sixth in Yogyakarta, Indonesia (2002), the seventh in Manila, the Philippines (2008) ,the eighth in Incheon, the Republic of Korea (2014), and the ninth in Tokyo, Japan/online (2021).

*Click the image below

2. Messages
*Click the image to read the messages

・

・

・
More messages are coming…!

3. Main Theme and Sub-themes at the 10th Governance Assembly
I. Main Theme:
Shaping Asia for Peace through Bold and Innovative Action

II. Sub-themes:
i) Bold and Innovative Action for Community, Ecology and Technology
ii) Bold and Innovative Action for Peace, Dignity and Community Cohesion
iii) Bold and Innovative Action for Empowerment and Interfaith Development

4. Daily Schedule of Main Assembly and Pre-Assemblies
Monday, Nov. 23^rdYouth and Women’s Pre-Assemblies, the EC meeting by the retiring members (final approval of the 10^th GA) and other meetings if needed

Tuesday, Nov. 24^thOpening Ceremony, 1^st Plenary Session on business, the 1^st Commission Sessions, 1^st Committee Meetings and other meetings if needed

Wednesday, Nov. 25^th2^nd Plenary Session for the feedback of Commissions Sessions, 3^rd Plenary Session on business (Interim Reports), 2^nd Commission Sessions, 50^th Anniversary Program, 2^nd Committee Meetings and other meetings if needed

Thursday, Nov. 26^th4^th (FINAL) Plenary Session on business on business, Closing Ceremony and the EC meeting by the newly elected members and sub-regional meetings, followed by an optional program and departure
5. 10^th Governance Assembly Aspiration
It is evident in examining the outcomes of the past nine Assemblies that an ACRP assembly gives its participants and constituencies a sense of familyhood and togetherness, and offers them an opportunity to embrace the past practices of the Movement, develop forward looking actions and activities and refine, if necessary, the existing vision and missions of ACRP in tandem with a changing Asia- Pacific and international context. An ACRP assembly makes them dedicated/devoted enough to act for and re-commit to peace through their pragmatic actions.

The year 2026 will mark the 50^th anniversary of the First Assembly of ACRP, which was held at Singapore in 1976. In celebrating the epoch-making event, ACRP’s 10th Governance Assembly will be convened at Singapore in 2026. ACRP will return to the cosmopolitan country, the birthplace of the Movement again, to celebrate its past 50-year history and be determined to move forward for the future.

In retrospect, ACRP has fruitfully held the nine General Assemblies almost every five years and also convened the Executive Committee meeting year by year without any irregularity. This historical continuity deserves self-esteem. A knack that enabled ACRP, which is now composed of 22 national chapters, to be engaged in ceaseless efforts for peace in Asia-Pacific region is the endeavors of ACRP national chapters for stabilizing the organizational finance. In this context, the outstanding contribution of CCRP, KCRP and RfP Japan is being fully noted in the ACRP history.

The committed members of ACRP have never lost sight of their responsibilities to carry out specific actions and activities for peace and the well-beings of people in Asia-Pacific region. Of great significance is the ACRP’s engagement in peace-building efforts for the rapprochement in Afghanistan, the Korean Peninsula, Myanmar, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, etc.

In addition to the peace-building, ACRP has been engaging in humanitarian activities such as the alleviation of poverty, the protection of human rights/human dignity, the protection of the environment and the promotion of peace education, etc. ACRP’s engagement in and commitment to these activities have culminated for instance in the working partnership with UNICEF through the project named Faith and Positive Change for Children, Families and Communities Initiative (FPCC).

Asia, the birthplace of world major religions and the continent where over a half of the world population inhabit, is a region where such human natures as tolerance, forgiveness and interdependence are deeply rooted in people’s mind. It is therefore imperative for ACRP to demonstrate such “Asian spiritualties” in the next Governance Assembly in responding to challenges and problems that our region faces. The Asian spiritualities may be an important ingredient for reconciliation between so called adversaries in a complex world.

We envisage that the commemorative 10th Governance Assembly enables us to work for and contribute effectively to a better Asia and the Pacific and the world. The Flagship Projects, which were adopted for the first time at the Tokyo Assembly in 2021, continue to be the centerpiece to make ACRP an further action-driven Organization. The protection of human rights/human dignity, anti-human-trafficking, peacebuilding and reconciliation, the protection of the environment, which are the key elements of the Flagship Projects, will remain to be on the top agenda of ACRP. And youth leadership development and the empowerment of women are much alike.

Women and the youth are the pivotal players so that ACRP can implement useful programs/projects, which benefit our region in the next phase after the 10^th Governance Assembly.

In view of the diversified ways of human activities and the spread of modern technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), ACRP ought to be equipped to effectively respond to the contemporary regional environments.

Honoring the dedication and the accomplishment of the forerunners of the Movement during the past 50 years, we are so convinced that the next Governance Assembly become a platform where the members of ACRP, particularly youth and women leaders of ACRP, are fully committed and where the people of Asia and the Pacific recognize raison d’être of ACRP to make our region a peaceful and prosperous region.

The new page of ACRP history in the next 50 years will begin at the Tenth Governance Assembly.

6. Assembly Objectives

I. To strengthen the ACRP’s organizational structure further and undertake a variety of actions for peace and well-being of the people in the Asia-Pacific region with the sense of urgency. ACRP ought to be equipped in laying an appropriate foundation for the future generations in Asia and the Pacific.

II. To embrace ACRP’s past practices and honor the accomplishments done by the past leaders of the Movement and to develop, if necessary,the existing vision and missions of ACRP applicable to the next 50 years in accordance with a changing Asia-Pacific and international context such as the rapid spread of SNS and AI technology.

III. To promote the resilience and adaptability of the people in Asia-Pacific and ensure the equity of all lives’ dignity in our region with the determination that Asian spiritualities and our sincere prayers are put into pragmatic actions.

7. Assembly Logo
The distinctive shape of the Assembly logo is a dove in flight, symbolizing the number 50 to signify the ACRP’s 50th anniversary. The logo is inspired by Singapore’s representative architecture (the Marina Bay Sands Building), as well as its characters and geographical features.

*Both are our official logos.

8. Participation
The participation of official delegates from each ACRP national chapter will be appointed in accordance with the Procedure of Credentials of the Governance Assembly.
Further details regarding program participation will be announced in due course.

.
.