The Asia Desk sees itself as part of a learning community of Asian theologians and philosophers (as well as representatives from related disciplines), which is attempting jointly to meet the challenges of our time, our societies and cultures. This learning community expresses itself in research projects which take up theological and philosophical questions from the differing Asian contexts. At the same time the common projects should strengthen or give impulses for a theological and philosophical reflection which is relevant to society.

We attempt to impart our contribution to this learning community contextually but also on an intercultural, ecumenical as well as inter-religious level and additionally always with gender-conscious elements. We contribute to conferences, consultations, publications and documentations, in order to achieve an intercultural exchange within Asia but also beyond Asia. With all our projects we attempt specifically to include women.

The tasks of the Asia Desk are especially:

• To document world-church, theological and philosophical impulses from the region and transport them into German-speaking regions. 
• Co-operation in networking theological and philosophical activities, e.g. in the area of intercultural dialogue.
• The planning and carrying out of research projects on Theology and Philosophy with partners locally.
• Contact person for applications, enquiries and initiatives from Asia.  

Since the year 2001, when new personnel members were chosen for the Asia Desk, the following continental conferences and research projects have been carried out or are at present being planned in co-operation with partners from Asia:

1. “ Teaching Theology in Asian contexts. A conference on the evaluation of curricula ”
2. “ Ecclesia of women in Asia. Gathering together the voices of the silenced ” 
3. “ Teaching Philosophy in Asian contexts. A conference on the evaluation of curricula ”
4. “ Research project “Theologies of the Eastern Churches ”
   
   

With new personnel members for the Asia Desk in the Spring of 2001, the Asia Desk (M 10/1) was divided into two sections, the division being subject to geographical criteria. There is a section for the Middle East and South Asia as well as a section for Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia.

Middle East and South Asia    

Contact person:   Dr. Annette Meuthrath

Secretarial Assistance: Marieluise Herzog

The following countries belong to the region covered by the “Middle East and South Asia Desk”:

• Middle East:Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Israel, the Yemen, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates

• South Asia:Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka   

Up to now the main countries dealt with by the Middle East and South Asia Desk have been India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Desk is just beginning to build up contacts to countries in the Near East .

Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia

Contact person: Dr. Hyondok Choe

Secretarial Assistance: Marieluise Herzog

The following countries belong to the region of the Northeast and Southeast Asia Desk: Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, East Timor, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand