Catholic Universities of Communication in Asia Plan Collaboration and Networking
(May 16, 2009) The first gathering of the Catholic universities of social communications
across Asia was held at the Assumption University campus in Thailand, from May 11
to 16. Organised by the Office of Social Communication of the Federation of Asian
Bishops’ Conferences (FABC-OSC), the five-day convention provided for dialogue and
exchange of experiences in social communication training, extended to the students
in Catholic institutions in the continent. 66 delegates participated in the workshop
from Philippines, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China
and Bangladesh. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Chairman, CBCI Commission for Social Communications
led the 11 member delegation from India. In his keynote address the secretary of
the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Msgr. Paul Tighe urged the delegates
to seek the possibilities of co-operation between Catholic centres of social communication
training and networking with the other universities for sharing of resources for mutual
enrichment. The conference drew up a statement which includes several recommendations
for promoting social communication education with a view to foster greater professionalism,
ethics, social commitment, planning and effective networking among the Catholic universities
of Communications in Asia.