Pino Cazzaniga

The international forum was attended by 51 African nations and 17 African organisations, 12 Asian nations, 22 donor nations, and 55 international organisations.

The history of the last 50 years of the Church in Korea, and the contribution of the Franciscan mission. The challenges of economic development, globalisation, and the young.

The visit of the Chinese president should have opened a new season of stable and friendly relations between the two countries, sealed with the decision to hold an annual summit. Signs of a new direction also appear in the words used to evoke the past.

The story of two missionaries linked to North Korea. Bishop Byrne gave his life there, and Fr Hammond has visited 30 times. "For me", he says, "that is a holy land".

Political, economic and tourist ties between the two peoples are blooming again after years of neglect and a troubled history. South Korea will participate in the G8 Summit on Japan’s Hokkaido Island. Seoul and Tokyo are to work together in Africa.

The first moves of the president, reinforced by the political elections, confirm his reputation as a practical man. The controlled but firm reaction to the attacks of Pyongyang and the expectation of economic reforms.

The parallel experiences of a Belgian and an Italian priest of the PIME. On the verge of their "repose", the "plots" of two women made them commit to significant new initiatives.

The paschal liturgy in a little town more than a thousand kilometres from Tokyo, where the anti-Christian persecution of feudal Japan was born. The encounter with a dying woman, a witness to the faith.

Fukuda’s government moves in accordance with its Vietnamese counterpart. After decades of enmity, the two nations begin a mutually advantageous journey, above and beyond economic interests.

Formally elected by conservatives, in reality he drew votes from across the political spectrum, demonstrating the population’s high expectations in his regards. The principal of his government, moving on from “the age of ideology into the age of pragmatism”.

The mission in Asia has clearly influenced the formation of the new superior general of the Society of Jesus, Fr Adolfo Nicolas. Japan seems to be the foundry for new Jesuit directors.

The two governments are organising events to celebrate a migratory phenomenon that now involves 1.6 million Japanese-Brazilians, 62% of all of the Japanese naturalised abroad. But there are also some who are returning.