Marist Institutions of Higher Education: meeting around the fire
The VI Assembly of the International Marist Network of Institutions of Higher Education was held from 8 to 13 November in the University of Notre Dame de Marbel, in the city of Koronadal, on Kotabato in the Philippines. The theme of the Assembly was "Marist Institutions of Higher Education: meeting around the fire" with the objective "of futhering the understanding of the Marist mission in higher education and its challenges and opportunities for the future". Forty-eight persons from 23 institutions took part.
The Assembly included two conferences: "Evangelization in higher education", given by Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, of the Archdiocese of Cotabato and "Global vision of the future of the institutions of higher education" by Brother Sean Sammon, of Marist College, United States. The report of the working groups for 2012-2014 was also presented, with emphasis on the document on Ministry in Higher Education. There was opportunity for the presentation of some proposals of projects, such as the creation of courses on the Rights of the Child, presented by the FMSI office in Geneva.
To conclude, the Assembly approved: the continuity of the projects in course; the holding of the Assembly in the middle of 2016, at Marist College, United States, with the objective of working to improve and strengthen the network; the appointment of the new board of directors composed as follows: Mr Pablo González Franco, of the Marcellin Champagnat University-UMCH, in Peru (President); Br Sean Sammon, Marist College, United States; Br David Hall, Australian Catholic University; Mrs Montserrat Giménez Hernández, Cardinal Cisneros University Centre, Spain; and Br Nilima Teixeira, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul-PUCRS, Brasil. There was also approval for the creation of a provisional secretariat attached to the UMCH in Peru, to support the projects of the network. This would be the responsibility of Br Pablo González Franco.
The Assembly unfolded in an atmosphere of great union and dialogue. We would emphasize the extraordinary welcome of the University of Notre Dame de Marbel which involved the entire academic community. We are sure that the detailed preparations of each day will be kept as an echo in the minds and hearts of all the participants. We are grateful to all those who took part as well as all involved in the preparation and organization of the Assembly.
Presentations: 10 Novemer (zip 15 MB) | 11 November (zip 90 MB) | 12 November (zip 18 MB)
Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo, O.M.I – Word – English | Español | Português
Br. Séan Sammon – Global Issues on Heigher Education – WORD: English | Español | Português