Annual focus 2008: Pacific Islands

Witnessing to God's Peace is the theme of the 2008 DOV Annual focus on the Pacific Islands, who face their own particular challenges.

Click on the map to enlarge.
Source: Oceania (2008). In Student's Encyclopædia. Retrieved 7 April, 2008, from Britannica Student Encyclopædia.

The Pacific Region (Pacific), over 20,000 islands scattered across the largest ocean (196 million square kilometres) in the world, is home to a population exceeding over 7.5 million. Although the ocean stretches from the Tropic of Cancer, crosses the Equator and south to the Tropic of Capricorn (excluding Australia), the land mass is only 10 million square kilometres. While they may share the same ocean, the Pacific is as unique as its many volcanic islands and atolls. The island region discussed here fall culturally and geographically into three main areas: Polinisia (Polynesia), Melanisia (Melanesia) and Maikoronisia (Micronesia).

Read more on the Pacific region

 

 

Regional Threats of Violence Statistic :

  • Injuries and violence cause an estimated 1.2 million deaths annually, or nearly 3300 deaths every day, with suicides, traffic accidents and drowning accounting for the majority of cases.
  • The top five causes of injury deaths in the Region in 2000 were self-inflicted injury or suicide (approximately 318 000 deaths per year), road traffic accidents (292 000), drowning (137 000), falls (109 000) and poisoning (73 000).
  • Over 93% of injuries in the Western Pacific Region occur in low-and middle-income countries, involving the 5–44 year age group in particular .
  • Violence against women is often committed by husbands or intimate male partners
  • Physical violence in intimate relationships is often accompanied by psychological abuse
  • One third to over one half of cases of physical violence are accompanied by sexual abuse
  • Drink-driving and domestic violence related to alcohol consumption is a growing problem
  • Suicide is believed to be a hidden problem (undocumented)

Source: WHO (More statistics available on the WHO website)

Pacific Focus of the International Day of Prayer for Peace

This year's International Day of Prayer for Peace (IDPP), on 21 September 2008, will also focus on the Pacific region.

Click here if you wish to submit your prayers for the 2008 International Day of Prayer for Peace.

Prayers for the Pacific

Adjusted from various sources, including CWM, UCC and ACT.

  • For the churches and church leadership to seek peace and truth in their decisions. 
  • For those who suffer physically, mentally, and spiritually because of war, hatred and discrimination.
  • For a fall in the high level of crime and suicide rate. 
  • For the church's work to resolve the tension between ethnic groups.
  • For those in chruch and government leadership to seek honesty and justice.
  • For those who are homeless and without food and water because of natural disasters.
  • For positive solutions to the threat and effects of global warming.
  • For an end to the economic injustice in the Pacific.
  • For the youth evangelism and Sunday schools, making the church relevant to young people.
  • For full participation of women and youth at all levels in the church.
  • For enhanced use of native language and musical tradition in the church.
  • Building, maintaining and renewing partnerships with national and international churches and institutions through our global mission office.
  • That young people will develop a deeper commitment to Jesus Christ.
  • That families and individuals will find healing and love through the ministries of the churches.
  • That the government of Pacific Island countries will govern by the principles of the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • That women's ministries will continue to develop, and more women will take up leadership roles.

Pacific - Links

  • Pazifik-Informationsstelle
    The aim of the "Pazifik-Informationsstelle", with head office in Neuendettelsau, Germany, is to share information about economic, social and ecological issues in the Pacific region.