22
Recommendations
and Plan of Actions
The Workshop groups proposed the following recommendations and plans for action:
Socio-Cultural
Prostitution
In countries where prostitution is not commercialized, a survey should be conducted to track down its place of existence and its root cause. In countries where prostitution is commercialized
23
and flourishing with governments indifference, public awareness should be conducted through pamphlets and articles in newspapers.
Slums
Help slum people to organise and co-operate with each other in improving their living conditions.
Women's Issues
In many Asian countries women are considered chattels – they do not have the same economic, social status and value as men. SCMers should support women's liberation movements and encourage the formation of women's groups. Also, give support to the WSCF Asia/Pacific Women's Programme and the Regional Women's Committee.
Land
Encourage and promote groups working for repeal of laws which violate indigenous people's right of their ancestral land and support their demand for the right to self-determination. Issues of the indigenous people should be highlighted through publications, meetings etc.
Political Situation
Minorities
All
individuals are equal. Consequently, there should not be any discrimination
towards minority groups. Therefore, those countries having discriminatory laws
should be pressured to give equal rights to all citizens like the Koreans in
Minorities should have proper representation in their governments in order to safeguard their rights.
Nuclear testing by the French and the Americans in the Pacific region should be stopped. The government and people of these countries should be made aware of the suffering and trauma experienced by the islanders affected by the Nuclear
24
testing.
The Church should be milling to involve itself in political issues which marginalise the poor.
The SCMs should challenge the Churches to stand up for the principles of justice. They should also actively participate in justice and peace issues.
Economic
Most of our Asian countries spend huge amounts on Defence. This is at the expense of the welfare of the people. Awareness should be created among the people to pressurize the governments to spend less on Defence and more on Development Services for the betterment of the masses.
Women should be treated equally in the job market. They should be given equal chances as men. Awareness on women's issues should be created especially at the grassroot level and also among uneducated women.
We ourselves, who are caught up with the values of the materialistic societies, need to challenge our lifestyles and see whether we are willing to give up what we have.
Education
Education should be for all irrespective of class, colour or creed.
SCMs should challenge students to be more socially aware and to be involved in social activities. Teachers should also be involved in working together with students.
In
those countries where the literacy rate is very low (e.g.