400 professionals of Catholic Education
Organised by the International Bureau of Catholic Education (OIEC) and the Catholic Schools of Spain, the XVII World Congress of Catholic Education was held in the Central Seat of the « Caja Rural de Aragón », in Saragossa from 18 to 21 October.
The participants numbered more than 400: professionals in Catholic Education from 104 countries, delegates and regional secretaries from America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe, as well as the permanent representatives of the organisation to the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the Vatican. They shared and contributed ideas, alternatives and experiences to improve the situation of education in the world.
The Congress had the following objectives: a) Present the work achieved by the Catholic School in creating a culture in favour of the rights of the person, from basic literacy up to the use of the new technologies. b) Reflect on and discuss the concrete challenges posed to the world of education by modern society, the numerous transgressions of personal rights, and to underline the role falling on the members of the Educational Community, teachers as well as parents or students. c) Through the Social Networks to define and encourage the desired initiatives so that education works positively for respect for the rights of the person.
The Marist Institute was represented by 11 brothers and 4 lay persons, members of the National Conferences of Catholic Education in Mexico, El Salvador, Chile, Argentine and Brasil, as well as Br João C. do Prado, Director of the Mission Secretariat, and Br Oscar Montoya, of the Province of « Norandina ».
Brothers Alexandro Aldape Barrios, President of the National Syndicate of the Free Schools of Mexico, Jesús Triguero (Chilie) and João C. do Prado also took part, in the name of the Institute, in the Assembly of OIEC, held in Saragossa on 22 and 23 October. It dealt with the usual topics of the OIEC and the engagements for the next 4 years. It also elected the new OIEC Council.