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WORKSHOP GROUP REPORT

The participants were divided into four groups. Each group dealt with the following topic. Given below is a composite report. Recommendations and plan of actions suggested by the participants are synthesized at the end of this report:

"The Asia-Pacific Reality in the light of

ethnic minorities struggles and race issues"

The growth of nationalism and religious fundamentalism, be it Christianity or other religions, does not allow the healthy growth of community life. There is a lack of interest in the welfare of each other, and there is a group tendency in our societies to become more and more individualistic. Consequently, there remains only a small group, but, one with a strong dissenting voice which is prepared to speak up for the minorities, the discriminated and the other oppressed groups. Increasingly, governments, because of political expediency are inclined to opt for one particular majority group, be it linguistic or ethnic, thereby, marginalising the minority and the indigenous people.

On the political front, the voice of the minority/indigenous people is often ignored and their human rights suppressed. In some countries, militarized governments suppress the people's right to self-determination. Every possible method is used

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to destabilize and weaken them. The Governments instead of using the funds available for the social and economic welfare of the people, in fact, uses it to buy arms to suppress and stifle the voice of the poor and the oppressed.

Economically, the people in the Asian countries are controlled by Multi-National Corporations. They reap huge profits while the poor people are paid paltry wages. Being economically exploited, they are looked down upon socially. They have no social status in society. In some Asian countries certain races suffer double exploitation e.g., in Taiwan the Mountain People are exploited by the merchants due to their general low education standard. The price of their farm products are kept very low and unstable as compared to the commercial value.

Land is not only sacred, but also the source of livelihood for the indigenous people. On the other hand the majority regard land as a mere economic object capable of being bought and sold, or intensively worked and mined for minerals.

Women from all minority communities suffer triple oppression. They are not only paid low) wages but, discriminated for their colour and gender.

Theological reflection on the reality

of the Asia/Pacific Region

In our belief God is Sovereign, the Almighty and the Creator of the Universe. Human beings are inhabitants who have to manage this world according to God’s creation and treat them with equality. However, it is sad to note that Governments and opportunists around the world fail to see God as the creator of all humankind. They consider themselves as superior beings and in order to maintain their superiority, they victimise the poor, the weak and the marginalized. Because of their selfishness, the world is split up into classes/groups.

Jesus Christ came to redeem this evil world. Jesus identified himself with the poor, the discriminated, the outcaste and the downtrodden. He sat at the same table and shared food with them. He

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gave his life in fulfillment of his mission. When he departed from this world he requested his disciples to carry on the mission.

The Church as the body of Christ must spread the message that Jesus left behind. As the body it should reach out to the poor, the outcaste, the downtrodden, the same way as Jesus did. SCMs as the arms of the church, should further strengthen the body by carrying out the message of Christ.

As followers of Jesus Christ we should first learn to treat everybody equally. If we live the life of Christ, then we with our examples have the power to change this selfish cruel and unjust society into a peaceful one. But this dream can only be made a reality by sincere dedication and committed efforts on the part of SCMers throughout the A/P Region and throughout the world.

In conclusion the participants stated that in reality the Asia/Pacific region is still under foreign domination. The people in "power" feel they can use our land, seas and children for their nuclear or medical/and scientific experiments. They can use our workforce as cheap labour, our women as prostitutes, our young men as soldiers to use their arms to fight their conflicts and battle through our region. Equally real is the fact that our politicians cannot and do not want to see beyond their own quest and greed for power and Health. Thus craving to achieve their vested interest at the expense of the masses.