12th Assembly: Chiang Mai, 2005

Lectures were delivered on the broader theme of ‘Listening to the Voice of God’, and included ‘New Trends in the Ecumenical Movement’, ‘Building Communities of Peace’, and ‘Geopolitics in Asia: An Overview’. Bible studies were on ‘Visioning Peace in our Communities’, ‘Imagining God in Our Communities of Women and Men’, and ‘Breaking Down the Walls of Hostility’.

Excerpt from the Report of the Presidium:

“Asia is often named as a continent of peace-loving people. We are used to enjoying smiling faces as we travel around Asia, and warm hospitality extended by people who may not have the most resources to share with others. And yet, peace, so obvious a value we all treasure and a desire in all of us has come so far from sight in many of our communities. The threat to peace is something not unfamiliar to us…There is much room for us to envision peace and for the renewal of commitment to building it for the future of our communities, for the very precious lives of our families, women and children and the earth. This will be the task of this Assembly here…”