Presentation

The Asia region is formed of 60 countries and accounts for 12% of the World’s Catholic Population. Asia has 08 constituent members and 05 correspondent members. The countries that are members of ICMICA are:

  • Bangladesh (BCAP)
  • India: ICMICA India
  • India: ICMICA Gujarat
  • India: Newman Association of India
  • Indonesia: ISKA (Ikatan Sarjana Katolik Indonesia)
  • Korea (WTI)
  • Korea KCWC
  • Malaysia (CAN)
  • Myanmar
  • Nepal (ICAN)
  • Pakistan (YDF)
  • Sri Lanka
  • Australia (Australian Cardijn)
  • Thailand

Socio-economic and political context of the movement in the Asia Pacific Region

Climate change: 13 countries in Asia are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and without concerted action, could see an additional 7.5 million people fall into poverty by 2030 due to climate impacts. Climate change poses major challenges to environmental stability, economic growth, and human development. It has contributed to rising food prices, floods, drought, water scarcity, increasing climate-related disasters, the global pandemic, and conflicts, which are driving food insecurity across the region.

Migration: refugees and stateless people are estimated at around 10.7 million. Statelessness accounts for 11%, refugees 37%, and internally displaced around 44%. Two crises dominated the region in 2021. Violence and political turmoil displaced over 1 million people internally in Afghanistan and Myanmar, and at least 158,000 Afghans fled from Afghanistan, while over 31,000 people fled Myanmar during the year, 19,700 of whom remained displaced outside Myanmar by year-end.

Human Rights issues: the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the human rights situation in the Asia-Pacific region. To cite a few, the restriction of freedom of expression (for example. The political crisis in Sri Lanka), which affect some of the Human Rights Defenders, including journalists, lawyers, and members of the political opposition. There is also discrimination and attacks on ethnic and religious minorities. Women and girls are denied the right to health.

Communication and technology:

  • Supply Chains and Technical Standards: Increasing geopolitical tensions around how we are connected will have material costs.
  • Data Governance: Aligning interests within the trade will provide pathways for greater cooperation
  • Social Media: ensuring healthy information ecosystems
  • Cybersecurity: ensuring cyber-resilience is framed as an opportunity, not a burden