Preface

University and education remains a crucial concern in the mission and ministry of the Church. In affirmation of this, we, representatives of SCMS, church leaders, chaplains, and Christian faculty and administrators from different parts of Asia and the Pacific gathered at Bangkok, Thailand from April 8 to 13 in a CCA-WSCF Joint Consultation with the theme: A Critical Review of the Vision and Reality of the University in Society.

As the theme suggests, the consultation had threefold objectives:

1. to examine critically the conditions of the universities and education in Asia and the Pacific;

2. to define and articulate a vision of university and education in society vis-à-vis the present realities and;

3. to work out strategies for action in response to this vision and reality, involving the churches, SCMs, chaplains, faculty and administrators.

Despite our limitations and those of the process, we believe this consultation has made a significant achievement in terms of our objectives. While we can not claim to have achieved an exhaustive and detailed review of the reality of universities and education in Asia and the Pacific, we have identified issues and raised further questions which can be on the agenda of our own groups and that of other people involved in or concerned with education, for further analysis and examination. While our vision may not be comprehensive enough to cover the totality of reality, we believe we have been able to define a perspective which contains the essential elements and can be creatively applied to all situations. Our strategies may still need more specific direction but they represent an important step in working toward a more dynamic, effective and authentic response of the entire Christian community to the reality and vision of university in society.

This report attempts to capture our insights and conclusions, from small groups as well the plenary discussions. It is our hope that these be shared, explored critically and reflected on by other students, faculty, administration, chaplains and leaders of the churches and larger community.

Lidy Nacpil Amnuay Tapingkae