Caritas Asia successfully organized a two-day Regional Conference on 11-12 June 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand where 51 Presidents, Directors and Senior Staff (M:39/ F:12) of 21 Caritas MOs, Caritas Internationalis and Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference (FABC) gathered to discuss the institutional matters of Caritas mission in the region.
Dr. Benedict Alo D’Rozario, President of Caritas Asia, officially opened the conference and welcomed all participants together with Fr. Pairat Sriprasert, Executive Director of Caritas Thailand. In the inaugural session, Most Rev. Alwyn D’Silva of Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference (FABC) made on a call to ecological conversion when addressing the pastoral letter to the local churches in Asia on the Care of Creation.
Alistair Dutton, the Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, sent his prayers and wishes to the conference through a recorded video while emphasising the needs of Caritas to change its ways of working following the international aid budget cut which affecting the humanitarian and development work globally.
The conference was graced by the presence of by the Chief Guest His Grace Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondaratana, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand. He reiterated the importance of Caritas to work together as a family in responding to the challenges faced in the communities and in the world.
As the inaugural session concluded, the conference moved to the next discussion on Caritas Asia strategic plan. Ms. Cristina Rigman, the external consultant, reported the results of series of consultations with Caritas MOs in Asia and Caritas Global Partners, feedback and draft of Caritas Asia Strategic Plan for 2026-2030. Afterwards, the participants were divided into four groups to go through the questions of capacity building needs and format in the region, aligning with the mandate of Caritas Asia.
The conference participants were also invited to provide more input on specific themes of Advocacy/Engagement, Localization & Fundraising, Safeguarding, Regional Emergency Support Mechanism (RESUM), Youth and Women Engagement, and Parish Caritas activities through a world café session.
The second day was dedicated for the institutional matters of Caritas Asia which covered the discussions around program and financial updates from the regional secretariat, committees and working groups at the region and confederation levels, sub regional updates and plans for jubilee year. Caritas Internationalis staff also provided updates on the impact of the international aid budget cuts, integral human development and CI management standard.
As we now prepare to move forward into a new phase with the implementation of our new Strategic Plan 2026-2030, we look ahead with hope and expectation for years of fruitful collaboration. With hearts full of gratitude, Caritas Asia extends our sincere thanks to everyone through active contributions, thoughtful reflections, and sincere engagement that made the gathering a truly inspiring and meaningful experience.
Regional Conference
