Marist education : challenges in a new world

The first meeting of the Working Group for the composition of a Formation Programme for the Marist schools of all the Administrative Units of Africa was held from 14 to 16 December in the House of the District of West Africa in Accra, Ghana.

The Programme is one of the three main objectives of the Strategic Plan of the African Mission Commission for the period 2011-2017. It responds to the strategic objective « Marist education : challenges in a new world. We feel urged without delay to find new creative ways of educating, evengelizing, promoting children’s rights and being in solidarity with poor children and youth. » The other objectives are concerned with Marist Youth Ministry and partnership between Brothers and laity.

Those taking part in the meeting were M. Gary Norton (South Africa) and Brs John Kusi Mensah (co-ordinator of the Group and a member of the District of West Africa), Michel Maminiaina Razafimandimby (Madagascar), João Carlos do Prado (Secretariat of Mission), and as a guest, M. Ricardo Tescarolo (PUCPR – Brasil). The adviser of the Commission was Br David Hall, of the Province of Australia, who through his vast experience in the field and excellent proposal of methodology, contributed greatly to the meeting’s success.

The Programme is still in the embryonic stage. The next meeting of the Working Group will be held from 22 to May in Nairobi, Kenya. In conformity with the time limits set by the Strategic Plan, it has to be presented to the African Conference of Provincials for approval at the beginning of 2014 ; it will be implemented in each Province from July 2014.

The Working Group is happy to report the excellent welcome offered by the Marist community of Accra. Apart from the periods of work, we were able to enjoy a great experience of fraternity.