Inspired by the Carmelite Constitutions, the other documents of the Order, and the invitation by the JPIC International Commission to coordinate, animate and foster JPIC networking in different Geographical Areas of the Order, the Asia-Australia-Oceania Geographic Area (AAO) has formed a JPIC Commission for the Area comprising members from all the Provinces and Commissariats of the Geographic Area.

The members of the Commission are:

Hariawan Adji (Indonesia) Convenor
Agedo Bento (Australia-Timor-Leste) Secretary
Christian Buenafe (Philippines),
Babu Payikkattu (St. Thomas, India),
Manuel Karippote (General Commissariate, STSA, India),
Paskalis Patut (East Indonesia, Flores)
Joseph Tri Phan (Vietnam).

The Commission has had two meetings so far (29 April and 5 August 2021). In the initial meetings an assessment was completed of the current JPIC initiatives in the area and taking into consideration, the special nature of the Geographical Area, after fruitful discussions, we have identified three major areas of our work for the coming years namely, Human Rights, Environment and Religion and Culture.

The Commission has decided to meet three times a year and the next meeting is scheduled for 29 October 2021. In order to promote JPIC programs in the Area we are organising a webinar on Human Rights’ Issues for the whole Carmelite Family which is due on Saturday 27 November 2021.

The Prior General Míceál O'Neill will speak on “JPIC and Human Rights’ Issues from a Carmelite Perspective” and Christian Buenafe O. Carm will speak on “Human Rights’ Issues from the Ground, a Philippines Perspective”.