AWRC links with local groups
Part of the rationale for moving the AWRC office to the country where the coordinator resides is so that the coordinator does not have to be uprooted and AWRC will be able to contribute to strengthening local groups and networks in the host country.
AWRC coordinator Anna Marsiana has begun building links with local groups and networks in Indonesia, especially in Yogyakarta, which is known as “mini Indonesia” for its multicultural and religious traditions. Yogyakarta is also known as city of education with hundreds of universities and colleges and thousands of students from different parts of Indonesia and the world.
Some initial links have been made with the following:
1. Centre for Feminist Theology Study – Duta Wacana Christian University
One of the prominent universities is Duta Wacana Christian University, known for its department of Theology which teaches more progressive and liberative theology. The Centre for Feminist Theology Study is one of its many centres. Some initial meetings have taken place to explore the possibility of enhancing the development of feminist theology. Part of the initiative will be the following:
(a) Qualitative Research on VAW within the Church. This qualitative research on violence against women in the church was originally a joint project of CFTS-Duta Wacana University and Christian University of Indonesia in Maluku (UKIM). Field research will be done simultaneously in Yogyakarta and Maluku. The AWRC Coordinator was asked to join the core team of Yogyakarta. Research will take place in 12 months from July 2009-June 2010.
(b) Discussion on monthly discussions in CFTS. An initial conversation on the holding of a regular discussion was done on 6 October at CFTS-Duta Wacana. AWRC Coordinator Anna Marsiana facilitated the discussion on “Women, needed but discriminated against”. The discussion was attended by women faculty members and theological students (postgraduate and undergraduate). The initiative to involve AWRC came from Rev. Dr. Tabita Kartika Christiani, AWRC member who is a faculty member of the universty.
(c) Courses on feminist theology to use AWRC modules. AWRC Coordinator Anna Marsiana met with CFTS Coordinator Hendry Wijayatsih on 26 October 2009 at CFTS office. Exploring the possibility of having a more comprehensive series of courses for students, they agreed to use the books/modules produced by AWRC as base and resources for the courses. The AWRC Coordinator will modify the modules to meet the needs of the students, the context, and time. The series of courses will hopefully start as soon as possible within this semester.
2. Jaringan Perempuan Yogyakarta (JPY) or Women & Women’s Organization Network of Yogyakarta
AWRC is now networking with the JPY or Women & Women’s Organization Network of Yogyakarta. This is a network of women activists and women’s organizations concerned about various issues on women, human rights and feminist issues in general. The network is very active in advocacy work in policy advocacy, people’s conscientization, and making legal and political reviews and analysis on various issues. Right now the network is advocating against a religious leader who is marrying a 12-year old girl. The issue has become a national issue, and yet it is considered a delicate and sensitive issue among religious people (Islamic) in the country.
We would like to issue this call for papers for our feminist theological journal in Asia, In God’s Image, for the year 2010. The Editorial Advisory Committee of IGI has suggested the following themes for the four editions in 2010:
March – Asian Feminist Leadership & Ecclesia
June – national issue: Hong Kong
September – Mixed or open issue
December – Holy Spirit & Mariology
(1) March 2010 is on Asian Feminist Leadership & Ecclesia. This edition can include articles on issues of power and sacraments, liturgy and ministry, and various topics that have to do with leadership in the church – including whether women’s leadership is recognized and encouraged in the church or suppressed and devalued. Write-ups on women’s leadership in family, NGOs, and the wider society are also very welcome. Please send contributions to AWRC at igi@awrc4ct.org or amarsiana@awrc4ct.org and hope@piapi.net latest by 31 December 2009.
(2) June 2010 will be a national issue on and by our sisters in Hong Kong. Our sisters in Hong Kong will decide on their guest editor and editorial committee as well as on their theme. Final date for receiving all manuscripts will be 31 March 2010 at igi@awrc4ct.org or amarsiana@awrc4ct.org and hope@piapi.net
(3) September 2010 will be a mixed and open issue. This is to give space for essays, Bible studies, reflections, poems, etc. that are already available but may not fit the other editions with assigned themes. Please send your contributions to AWRC at igi@awrc4ct.org , amarsiana@awrc4ct.org and hope@piapi.net by 30 June 2010
(4) December 2010 will be on the theme, Holy Spirit & Mariology, a very fitting title especially in view of December and the related events of Advent and Christmas. Possible questions related to this topic are: (a) What are some of our articulations of an Asian feminist theology of the Holy Spirit? (b) What are some of our theological reflections on Mary and her role in the salvific acts of God? (c) How does Mary inspire women’s empowerment and feminist engagement in works for transformation?
Please send your contributions for the December edition to AWRC at igi@awrc4ct.org , amarsiana@awrc4ct.org and hope@piapi.net by September 30, 2010.
Please send along a photo or graphic/visual design with some credit to your source (and permission from the source for us to use the photo or graphic).
We welcome articles from AWRC members and other Asian women as well as men who are in solidarity with women in their struggle for genuine partnership and social transformation.
AWRC is not a profit-making organization so we do not have a policy of giving honoraria to contributors. We give two copies of the edition in which your article is published. In God’s Image is subscribed to by a number of theological libraries and feminist theologians in various parts of Asia and beyond.
When AWRC moved the office from KL, Malaysia to Yogyakarta, Indonesia, we had hoped that operational cost would be cheaper, considering that Yogyakarta is a small town compared to KL. With regards to IGI, it was our hope that we could cover the operational cost without increasing the subscription rate. But unfortunately the postal rate is very much linked to the global economy, and therefore it has been affected in some ways. Therefore, it is with regret that we have to inform our subscribers the new subscription rates for IGI subscription for year 2010. We hope this small increase would not affect so much of your interest as to continue your subscription.The followings are the new rates of IGI subscription for year 2010: