The Asia–Pacific region hosts about half the world’s population and a rich diversity of culture. The entire region faces challenges from climate disaster and biodiversity loss; superpower tensions fueled by arms traders, with militarized borders and nuclear overtones; overexploitation of resources; and the after-effects of sudden unemployment, loneliness, and jittery global supply chains due to COVID-19 and the Russo-Ukrainian War. Add urban–rural divide; pressure on human rights, especially for Indigenous groups; and the challenges of poverty and injustice, and there is much to motivate Friends.
In March, FWCC Asia–West Pacific Section (AWPS) brought together several Quaker agencies to discuss the challenges of the twenty-first century, including Quaker United Nations Office, Quaker Service Australia, Quaker Peace and Service Aotearoa New Zealand, Friends Peace Teams Asia–West Pacific (FPT AWP), and American Friends Service Committee.
Friends in Bohol, Philippines, cleaned up after Super Typhoon Odette (called Rai internationally), which made landfall in December 2021. Marj Angalot, assistant secretary of AWPS, and Kins Aparece, coordinator for FPT AWP, facilitated community workshops.
AWPS’s Climate Action Emerging Network meets every two months: in September, the focus was on disaster resiliency in a warming world, and in November, on the Third Pole.
Current fundraising goals include establishing programs to reach young people, supporting travel in ministry, and purchasing office equipment.
The Weekly Round enewsletter provides updates on AWPS work and webinar opportunities.
Comments on Friendsjournal.org may be used in the Forum of the print magazine and may be edited for length and clarity.