The Mission of SIGNIS is:
To engage with media professionals and support Catholic Communicators To help transform our cultures in the light of the Gospel By promoting Human Dignity, Justice and Reconciliation.
SIGNIS Asia is one of the regional groupings of SIGNIS, which is a worldwide international association. SIGNIS Asia‘s main objective is to foster and coordinate communication activities in the regions of South Asia, South East Asia and East Asia; guided by communication desks in the fields of Media Education, Journalism, Radio, Television, Cinema and Digital Media.
SIGNIS is the World Catholic Association for Communication. SIGNIS was created in November 2001 from the merger between two organisations (Unda, for radio and television; and OCIC, for cinema and audiovisuals) that were both created in 1928. SIGNIS has consultative status with UNESCO, Ecosoc (United Nations in Geneva and New York), and the Council of Europe. It is officially recognised by the Vatican as a Catholic organisation for communication.
SIGNIS’ members are national associations grouped by regions of the world. There are six regions: Africa, Latin America, North America, Pacific, Asia, and Europe, as well as an International Group (composed of international organisations). In addition, individuals and institutions can become associate members.
The administrative headquarters of SIGNIS, the General Secretariat, is in Brussels, which will move to Rome in 2024. There is also an office at the Vatican, SIGNIS Services Rome, which provides technical and material support to church and secular organisations all over the world. Support SIGNIS using this link.
All the regions and the international group are represented by a Board of Directors that decide the policy of SIGNIS. The members of the Board are elected during world or regional assemblies.
In the Asia, board members are elected to represent the region and its concerns. SIGNIS is a volunteer network of Catholic communicators.
SIGNIS ASIA Board 2022-2026
Fr. Dr. Stanley Kozhichira (India), President
Ms. Adeline James (Malaysia), Vice President
Ms. Kagnha Keo (Cambodia), Secretary
Mr. Romulus Lee (Korea), Treasurer
Mr. Alphonse Nguyen Phuoc Bao Tri (Vietnam), Member
Fr. Augustine Bulbul Rebeiro (Bangladesh), Member
Stand-in: not appointed yet
[Fr. Joseph Anucha Chaiyadej (Thailand) stepped down due to work commitments in 2024]
[Fr. Frans de Sales, SCJ (Indonesia) passed away on 7th April 2024]
SIGNIS ASIA Screening Committee 2022-2026 (closed in 2023)
Fr. Augustine Bulbul Rebeiro (Bangladesh)
Mr. Paul Namgoong Chan (Korea)
Ms. Kagnha Keo (Cambodia), Secretary
SIGNIS ASIA Desks 2022-2026
Cinema: Fr. Dr. Stanley Kozhichira
Television: Mr. Romulus Lee
Radio: Ms. Kagnha Keo
Media Education: Fr. Augustine Bulbul Rebeiro
Journalism: Ms. Adeline James
Digital Media: Mr. Alphonse Nguyen Phuoc Bao Tri
