Conference Reflection

Why Sustainability?

When we were making preliminary research in determining a topic for the 2010 ACUCA Biennial Conference, we were mindful of choosing a topic that would be of mutual benefit to all ACUCA member institutions. But more than this, we wanted to find a topic that would be of benefit to the wider community. The theme of sustainability was chosen, as it was seen as something that needed to be dealt with urgently. Issues of environmental sustainability are not only urgent but also draw all of our members together – from the post-industrial countries of Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan, to countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, that are all on different levels of development. Regardless of our economic or geographical position, we are all linked by our mission as Christian institutions of higher education. As much as we are bonded together by our Christian character, we are all also facing unprecedented environmental threats together.

We found that it was necessary for ACUCA to find, explore and develop the links between our institutions’ Christian faith and the environmental challenges that lie ahead for the region. We needed to know how our faith is making sense of what we are trying to deal with. The conference was organized with the intention of weaving together our faith and how it can be used to generate a unique perspective on the issue.

How was theme of Sustainability addressed? 

1. Keynote Presentations

With the selection of the Dr. Huang Po Ho and Dr. Budi Widianarko as keynote presenters, we believe that we were able to find the balance between a scientific and a theological approach that we needed. Dr. Huang Po Ho of Chang Jung Christian University in Taiwan was chosen for his ability to reaffirm our standing in terms of our Christian belief. Dr. Huang successfully provided the Christian context in which the discussions on sustainability could take place. His speech highlighted the problems that have traditionally been associated with Christian views on the environment. Dr. Huang proposed a re-orientation of our perspective, away from viewing the Earth as our possession, and away from an anthropocentric view, to one which sees us as elements within God’s creation, and as stewards with a responsibility to take care of this precious gift.

The second speaker was Dr. Budi Widianarko of Seogijapranata Catholic University, Indonesia. He illustrated the seriousness of the issues that the Asia-Pacific region is facing. He spoke in the wake of the devastating eruption of Mount Merapi, which showed the potential devastation that nature can bestow upon human populations, as it has affected a number of our ACUCA member institutions. Dr. Widianarko’s lecture showed us that, although we are powerless to deal with the effects of natural phenomena, we have a duty to address human related climate change. We were given instructive statistics on the distribution of greenhouse gases through ACUCA countries. The statistics painted a bleak future ahead, if no immediate action is taken. His presentation was a wake-up call for inter-institutional solidarity and collaborative effort to act on environmental threats and dangers.

2. Parallel Sessions and Plenary Session

The three parallel group discussions, which took place after the keynote presentations, provided a suitable forum for the development of initiatives that could be applied specifically to ACUCA and its member institutions. The parallel session discussion topics were as follows:

            The Sustainable Campus: Formulating campus-wide environmentally friendly strategies

In this session, Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit gave the examples of Ateneo De Manila and Dr. Haruki Onishi, president of Meiji Gakuin University, detailed their efforts to develop and maintain a sustainable campus. The two speeches led to discussions on how to implement policies at the university administrative level, and also how to encourage the student body to engage with the development of a sustainable campus.

            Using ACUCA exchange programs as a strategy to promote awareness and initiate activity for sustainable development

In session two, both speakers looked at ways of utilizing exchange programs to promote themes such as sustainable development. Mr. Abraham Lee gave insightful information on the various initiatives that Handong University has taken, including their Global Entrepreneurship Program. This was seen as a good model of what would be possible for ACUCA. Mr. Andrew Brennan of the ACUCA Secretariat gave an outline of the ACUCA Student Mobility Scheme (SMS), with a focus on how this could be developed to incorporate themes such as sustainable development.

            Incorporating issues of sustainable development within the curricula of Christian universities of higher education

Session three provoked a heated discussion on some of the underlying principles in which Christian universities should view the issue of sustainable development. Rev. Dr. Pradit Takerngrangsarit introduced the concept of Shalom, in which the university should look beyond the narrow limitations of specialization. Rev. Dr. Pradit wished to see a reevaluation of our institution’s guiding principles, with an emphasis on the encouragement of the student body to become community and global leaders. This would involve a re-orientation of the syllabus away from concerns that are driven by the university stakeholders, to a model that embraces the Christian practices of charity and service.

Conference Reflection

At the the General Assembly, Dr. Betty Cernol McCann of the United Board gave an insightful and encouraging speech outlining her views, as well as the United Board’s stance on the future direction of ACUCA. Dr. Cernol McCann encouraged ACUCA to be more involved with themes such as sustainable development, which compliment the work of the United Board. She also looked at the issue of sustainability, not merely as one that can be seen as environmental, but that can be seen as institutional. Institutions should organize and act in a sustainable fashion. United board would be willing to support institutions in Asia in their efforts for institutional sustainability.

What was achieved through the Conference?

Before the conference, sustainable development was seen as a concept that seemed more applicable to governments and NGO’s, certainly not something that had an immediate association with ACUCA’s Christian character. We feel that we have successfully connected our mission, as Christian institutions of higher education with the theme of sustainability. The Conference yielded a number of tangible results. There was a call for a commitment to collaborate further on sustainability at a number of levels. Positive examples were given on how to improve the sustainability of the campus, the curricula and the general institutional organization of our members.

Running parallel to the Conference there were two Executive Committee meetings, at which some of the issues related conference discussions were raised. The Committee felt that, in the spirit of solidarity with our fellow members, we should provide financial assistance to member institutions affected by natural disasters. It was decided to distribute USD $40,000 equally between Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages in Southern Taiwan, which suffered extensive damage after a recent typhoon, and to a number of universities in Indonesia, suffering after the effects of a recent earthquake, tsunami and the eruption of Mount Merapi.

What is expected after the Conference?

After the 2010 ACUCA Conference and 18th General Assembly, there was a general consensus among members to keep the momentum that was built up throughout the sessions. There is willingness among members to collaborate more closely on joint projects and ensure the feeling of solidarity leads to tangible results, in terms of the development of new programs. There is also an anticipation that after the Conference, the members will work together to increase the visibility of ACUCA and its activities; putting ACUCA on the map. There was a call to promote ACUCA throughout the region, with the goal of accepting member institutions from other Asian countries. This was echoed by a call to involve ACUCA with a number of other organizations, to compliment our existing relationship with the United Board. One example given is that there could be a possible beneficial collaboration with the All India Christian Council, as a way of reaching out to potential ACUCA members in India.

ACUCA’s initiatives, such as the Student Mobility Scheme, do not have a very clear focus. There is now willingness to direct ACUCA funds into a re-design of the SMS, with a focus on a theme-based program. The Conference was seen as a success, not only in the development of the theme, but the general feeling of solidarity that was experienced lead to a commitment to collaborate more closely and more effectively, facilitating communication among member institutions, bringing ACUCA ever closer together, as we work on fulfilling our mission of educating our future leaders.