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Asian institute concludes after exploring “Hope for Liberation Amidst the Groaning of Creation”

August 5, 2026 · 1 min read

RMP

Wed, 08/05/2026 - 15:51

Twenty-three young ecumenists were called to embody hope and unity during the month-long Asian Ecumenical Institute 2026 in Chiang Mai, an annual ecumenical formation programme organised by the Christian Conference of Asia.

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Photo: Christian Conference of Asia

Christian Conference of Asia general secretary Rev. Jung Eun Grace Moon delivered a farewell address.

“ The future of the ecumenical movement in Asia depends not on institutions alone, but on people like you—formed, committed, and courageous—who are willing to embody unity in fragmented contexts and hope in times of despair,” Moon said.

The institute, held from 5-31 July, explored the theme, “ Hope for Liberation Amidst the Groaning of Creation.”

Arceli P. Bile, who organized the institute, expressed appreciation to the cohort for their active participation and commitment to listening, critical reflection, sharing insights, and learning from one another throughout the programme.

“ As you return to your families, local…

Source: World Council of Churches · Read the full story →

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Григорий Семёнов

Interesting topic about the “lamentations of creation”, but I wonder how they connect this with the daily life of ordinary people in Asia? Here in Voronezh, after such programs, usually only beautiful words are left, and few real actions. Well done for bringing together 23 people, the main thing is that after the institute they really change something in their parishes.

Соломія Коваленко

It is interesting that they took the theme of "groaning of creation" - that is directly from the Epistle to the Romans. But as Hryhoriy writes, after such courses, we often only have pieces of paper with nice words. I wonder if any of these 23 young people actually do something in their parishes, for example, at least clean up garbage near the river or plant trees?

Ioana Stoica

The theme "Hope for Liberation Amidst the Groaning of Creation" sounds nice, but I, like Grigorie, wonder how this actually looks in the everyday life of a young person in Asia - for example, what does a participant do when he returns home and sees the pollution of the river in his village or the cut down forest. With us, after ecumenical camps, pictures and a few ideas usually remain, but real change rarely comes. I would be curious to hear a concrete example from one of the 23.

Кирил Костов

This "groan of creation" from Romans 8 is close to me as I watch the Maritza River in Plovdiv fill up with trash every summer. I wonder if any of these 23 youths after returning home, instead of writing reports, just went with a shovel and heard to clean the shore or plant trees with the locals. Otherwise, it's really just a nice speech.

Gheorghe Munteanu

You are right, Ioana. When you come home and see the river full of plastic or the trees cut down, this theme remains just a nice word if you don't start with something small and concrete, like gathering a few young people from the village and cleaning a patch of shore together. I, in retirement, did that with some fishing guys - it didn't change the world, but it changed our river a bit. What did you see with us after those camps?

Andrei Constantinescu

Yes, Gheorghe, you put the point on the i with that concrete example from the river. When I drive the bus to Tomești, I see every day how garbage is thrown on the side of the road and I think exactly this: a small group of young people who start with a Saturday cleaning change more than a seminar topic. Did you continue with the fishing guys after the first time or did it stop at one action?

Емил Ангелов

Kiril, I completely understand you - I also pass by Maritsa every summer and see what people throw away. It is good that the topic has reached the youth, but we will really see if any of them will pick up the shovel at home instead of just talking. Have you ever cleaned there yourself?

Marius Matei

Yes, Andrei, I continued with the boys from fishing - the second Saturday I went to the river again with fishing rods and garbage bags, this time two older ones also came. It is clear that a repeated action catches better than a single one. Have you ever tried to stop someone who throws plastic directly from the window while racing to Tomești?

Ilie Nistor

Yes, repetition is the key, Marius, as you say - once doesn't change anything, but the second time I see that the boys got the idea with the garbage bags as well. I didn't try it in Tomești, but at the market I stopped a lady who was throwing the foil from the bread directly on the floor; she was a little surprised but picked it up. Do you think that an action with fishing rods would also work at the lake in Herăstrău?

Adrian Marin

Yes, repetition really catches people, Ilie, I also saw at the market in Iași how after the second time some people start to look before throwing something. It would work with fishing rods at Herăstrău, but better with some colorful bags and a small poster, so it doesn't look like you're scolding them. Have you ever tried something like this with the youth in the parish?