Another great, full day in Busan, so just a few highlights before my head hits the pillow (total lie - I have more reading to do before I can sleep!):
- Our first Bible study was this morning. It was nice to meet in smaller groups and to have great discussions with people from different areas of the world and from different denominations/confessions.
- The South Korean Prime Minister stopped by for a visit. Very cool. Just for all the #parlnerds out there, he is "His Excellency," and he is not the head of state - that's the President.
- UNAIDS' Michel Sidibé spoke passionately about about successes in the movement to eradicate HIV and AIDS, and implored us to help address the unequal access to treatment across the world. In addition to an issue of resources, he also said that unequal access comes because of discrimination. In many places around the world, those who are homosexual, injection drug users or sex workers must hide and do not seek treatment. He spoke so eloquently, asking the church to offer compassion and support regardless of our beliefs/thoughts on those behaviours.
- In the business plenary, the draft statement on the politicization of religion and rights of religious minorities was discussed. Some countries are mentioned in the statement. Later in the day, Canadian delegates discussed petitioning the assembly to add Canada to the list of countries, given the legislation before the Quebec legislature right now. I am hopeful that we will be included, and that it can be considered by lawmakers in that province.
- We had the first of four small group "ecumenical conversations" today. I am in a group discussing "Economy of life: Overcoming greed to eradicate poverty." Some very interesting discussions about what an economy of life looks like and how greed is a barrier to that.
- As per my earlier post, the North American delegates met together tonight. We talked about the biggest issues facing our region right now, and it was interesting to see the divide between the US and Canada - even though we are so close together. American delegates mentioned violence and migration as issues, and those just aren't as prevalent in Canada, I don't think. Others mentioned were issues facing indigenous people, climate change, and how our actions affect those in the rest of the world.
- Our first Bible study was this morning. It was nice to meet in smaller groups and to have great discussions with people from different areas of the world and from different denominations/confessions.
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| Photo: World Council of Churches |
- UNAIDS' Michel Sidibé spoke passionately about about successes in the movement to eradicate HIV and AIDS, and implored us to help address the unequal access to treatment across the world. In addition to an issue of resources, he also said that unequal access comes because of discrimination. In many places around the world, those who are homosexual, injection drug users or sex workers must hide and do not seek treatment. He spoke so eloquently, asking the church to offer compassion and support regardless of our beliefs/thoughts on those behaviours.
- In the business plenary, the draft statement on the politicization of religion and rights of religious minorities was discussed. Some countries are mentioned in the statement. Later in the day, Canadian delegates discussed petitioning the assembly to add Canada to the list of countries, given the legislation before the Quebec legislature right now. I am hopeful that we will be included, and that it can be considered by lawmakers in that province.
- We had the first of four small group "ecumenical conversations" today. I am in a group discussing "Economy of life: Overcoming greed to eradicate poverty." Some very interesting discussions about what an economy of life looks like and how greed is a barrier to that.
- As per my earlier post, the North American delegates met together tonight. We talked about the biggest issues facing our region right now, and it was interesting to see the divide between the US and Canada - even though we are so close together. American delegates mentioned violence and migration as issues, and those just aren't as prevalent in Canada, I don't think. Others mentioned were issues facing indigenous people, climate change, and how our actions affect those in the rest of the world.
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