Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia), 5-11 October 2026
In Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, the assembly of the Franciscan Network for Peace and Integral Ecology of Asia was held from 5-11 October 2026. The event hosted by Br. Cosmas Francis OFM, the JPIC animator of Custody of St. Anthony (Singapore-Malaysia-Brunei), with the support of Franciscan Secular Order members from Kota Kinabalu-Malaysia. The assembly was attended by OFM JPIC animators from Asia, OFMCap JPIC Animators from Malaysia and Indonesia, Franciscan Religious Sisters from Sabah-Taiwan-Myanmar, Secular Franciscans, Professionals, Franciscans International, and the General Office for JPIC OFM in Rome.
Focusing on theme ‘Natural Disaster Management’, the participants began the meeting with a reflective question: What can our Franciscan Network do to prevent environmental destruction and reduce disaster risk? Presentations and insights from South Korea, Myanmar, West Papua and Flores Indonesia helped address this question alongside a deep discussion on a just energy transition led by Franciscans International. Later, they shared how local communities can strengthen their capacity to respond to environmental challenges. Examples included waste segregation in India, the Laudato Si’ Stations of the Cross in Boolitikon Sabah-Malaysia, sustainable gardens in Taiwan, advocacy for the rights to a healthy environment.
Realizing that fostering deep human awareness and sensitivity to care for Mother Earth is fundamental, the attendees deepened their reflection on how human choices contribute to the environmental crisis. They examined human error and the need for ecological conversion by asking what changes are required in their personal, community, and institutional ways of life. To address this reflective question, they deeply shared insights on organic farming in Indonesia, prioritizing care for creation over development in the Philippines, limiting production and consumption, and the reasons why the Franciscan way of life remains relevant today.
The participants also discussed quick response strategies for vulnerable community effected by disaster before, during, and after an emergency. They explored several key areas of humanitarian aid including how to establish an organized system and a well-prepared plan, collaborate with key actors and volunteers, and support affected communities through recovery, reconstruction, and resilience. Furthermore, they emphasized the importance of transitioning wisely from merely providing assistance to fostering empowerment, ensuring that they support victims effectively without reinforcing a cycle of victimization.
Ultimately, the reflection revealed strong appreciation for the network as a space for fraternity, learning, sharing, and international collaboration. The central message underscored a collective desire to transform the relationships, knowledge, and inspiration gained during the assemblies into sustained collaboration and concrete action.
The event concluded with an exposure trip, which included a visit to the Kuyungon Community in Kampung Tambungan, Sabah-Malaysia, where residents are building self-sufficient community in the spirit of “Living in Harmony with Nature”. The participants also visited the Mari-Mari Culture Village. where the people from Sabah preserve the forest and nature as a core part of their culture and identity. — OFM Website
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