Franciscans International receives unanimous grassroots request to open office in Bangkok to serve Asia and the Pacific

24 July 2006

Recognizing their strong commitment to human rights in the Asia-Pacific region, an assembly of Franciscan leaders have unanimously agreed to strengthen the work of their NGO, Franciscans International, by opening an office in Bangkok.

This decision was made at a gathering in Bangkok, July 2-5, 2006, and follows more than two years of consultation with Franciscan sisters and brothers from Asia and the Pacific and regional Franciscan leadership. The consultation included a detailed needs assessment of grassroots Franciscans working in Asia and the Pacific and made an evaluation of four cities as possible sites for a regional Franciscans International office.

According to Fr John Quigley OFM, the Executive Director of Franciscans International in Geneva, “The decision to open the Asia-Pacific office reflects a major development in the history of Franciscans International, the only common ministry of the Franciscan Family, and an important, new inter-Franciscan endeavor at the international level.”

At a June 2005 meeting in Singapore, convened by the Australian Franciscan family, a Steering Committee was established and funded by 12 Franciscan superiors from the region. They called for a Feasibility Committee to make a study over six months and interview Franciscan workers and other NGOs throughout Asia and the Pacific.

Fifty Franciscan sisters and brothers, including 11 superiors, from 35 entities in 12 countries in Asia and the Pacific called unanimously for the opening of the office and collectively assumed responsibility for the project. The decision is to be implemented in three phases, as follows:

1. A skilled and experienced project officer will be sought from within the region to work with Franciscans International in Geneva in order to master human rights mechanisms and coordinate the project's establishment in Bangkok and will be assisted by an intern from the region; 

2. The Asia project coordinator will recruit two Franciscans from Asia/Oceania and one local administrative assistant to find an office, housing and establish contacts with Franciscans in Asia and Oceania;

3. The staff will engage in advocacy at the UN and run training programs in Bangkok and in the field, throughout the region.

Australian Franciscan leaders participating in his historic gathering included, Fr Stephen Bliss OFM, Sr Judy Dynan FMM, Fr. Julian Messina OFM Cap, Sr Carmel Spratt FMDM, Ms Helen Britton from the Secular Franciscans, Br. Donald Campbell and Ms Suzanne Chapman from the Anglican Franciscans, and Sr Aileen Crowe FMM. 

Although there is no fixed calendar for the implementation of the three respective phases, Franciscans International hopes to have the Asia/Pacific office approved by the International Board of Directors of Franciscans International in the coming months and aims to open a fully functioning human rights training office within two years.

Franciscans International takes a human rights-based approach to its work for: those who are impoverished and vulnerable, peacebuilding and the environment.

For further information contact Ms. Julie Morgan, Franciscans International Asia Pacific Project Coordinator for the Franciscan Friars, on (02) 9369 9300. Franciscans International: www.franciscansinternational.org