As hosts of the International Seminar on Human Rights and Fundamentalisms, in collaboration with the WSCF Interregional Office, we at the WSCF Asia Pacific Region are honored to partake in this pivotal global dialogue. The event, held at Universitas Kristen Indonesia (UKI) on July 17th, highlighted our shared commitment to addressing pressing issues related to human rights and the emergence of new forms of fundamentalism.
The seminar was inaugurated by Prof. Yasonna H. Laoly, Indonesia’s Minister of Law and Human Rights, who emphasized Indonesia’s commitment to human rights and the necessity for international solidarity with Palestine. Marcelo Leites, our General Secretary, added depth to the discussion with his insights on the intersection of human rights and fundamentalism.
The second session welcomed insights from distinguished speakers such as Dr. Jerry
Sambuaga, Deputy Minister of Trade Indonesia; Dr. Verdinand Robertua, Dean of Social and Political Science at UKI; Karen Puimera, Executive Committee Member of the World Council of Churches; Dianet de la Caridad Martínez, Regional Secretary WSCF LAC; and Serena Tiburtini, Regional Secretary WSCF Europe.
One of the highlights was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UKI and the WSCF, signed by Marcelo Leites, WSCF General Secretary, and Yowanda Yonggara, the Regional Secretary of WSCF AP. This MoU reaffirms our commitment to collaboration in education, training, and advocacy, marking a crucial step towards a more cooperative engagement in our mission to address global challenges.
The seminar marked the official launch of a new thematic area for WSCF, focusing on Democracy, Human Rights, and fundamentalism. Our attendees included WSCF Global Staff and Officers, WSCF Asia Pacific Committtees and SCM, members of ecumenical movements, social organizations, scholars, practitioners, local ecumenical bodies, and theological institutions. The seminar emphasized the continuing relevance of WSCF in the face of global challenges, as we remain dedicated to combating inequalities and injustices, driven by faith and radical love.
