HUNDREDS of Catholic media professionals gather today at Chiang Mai, Thailand for the world wide convention of Signis, also known as World Catholic Association for Communication.
Reflecting on the theme “Media for a Culture of Peace-Children’s Rights, tomorrow’s Promise”, the Signis World Congress, held in Asia for the first time, has participants of 568 media professionals coming from 69 countries.
The world congress opened today with a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided by the Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio at the Hotel Empress Convention Centre in the historic city of Chiang Mai.
The opening of Signis Congress incidentally coincides with the universal church’s celebration of World Mission Sunday.
Highlighting the importance of the event, the nuncio in his homily told participants that opening the congress on the day of World mission Sunday “is a fitting way of living your commitment of proclaiming the good news.”
In a video message, Cardinal Claudio Celli, President of the Pontifical Commission on Social Communication, relayed the Holy Father’s message to the participants.
The pope underscored the significance of the congress’ theme, saying that “it is important to hear their [children] voices and learn from them… [and] see them as protagonists of the present.”
Reflecting on the theme in his opening address, Signis World president Augustine Loorthusamy, noted that the present congress’ theme makes the current assembly to be different from previous gatherings.
He said that as professional communicators “we are morally bound to open up opportunities for our young to express themselves and to help us see the world we have created through their eyes, their frame of reference.”
True to its theme, the congress has involved young students from the city’s Catholic schools in the preparations and Congress’proceedings.
“You will see many young people creatively and actively involved here,” Loorthusamy said. “You will see them in action and we encourage you to interact with them,” he added.
Around 100 children from three Catholic schools in the city are participating in the workshops.
“This priority concern for children is also aimed at enabling media professionals from across the world to examine, explore and plan activities taking into account the perspectives of children, children’s rights and the media,” said Loorthusamy.
“In the end, we need them more than they need us. We need their imagination and involvement to help us seek peace in the world,” he added.
Among the participants are 70 priests and 150 religious sisters involved in the ministry of communication coming from the continents of Europe, Africa, America, Asia and Oceania.
Fifteen of the Congress’ participants come from the Philippines.
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