Marist NGOs could have a worldwide network by 2016

Leaders of Marist International Solidarity Foundation and non-governmental organizations within the Institute are aiming to create a system that allows them to be connected worldwide by next year.

“By the end of 2016 we will have the beginnings of an international network,” said Brother Manel Mendoza, director of the Foundation, known as FMSI, in Geneva.

His comments came on Oct. 5, during the start of a three-day encounter in the general house in Rome, in which Marist NGOs of Europe met for the first time.

Their meeting took place after American ones met in Guatemala City, Guatemala, from Aug. 17 – 18.

The organizers of Rome’s meeting were Brothers Manel, of the L’Hermitage province, and Mario Meuti, the director of the FMSI office in Rome.

“We want to establish foundations for a future network of all Marist NGOs,” Br Manel stated. “Africa and Asia-pacific are still missing.”

According to the Brother, the encounter of Marist NGOs of Asia-Pacific will take place around Sept. or Oct. 2016, perhaps in Australia.

He stressed the objectives of the meeting in Rome also included “getting to know the organisations and what they are doing, discussing possible policies for NGOs to apply for the protection of children, and discussing solidarity in order to come up with basic principles to apply jointly to NGOs and solidarity organisations of (Marist) provinces.”

“We want to have a clear idea of what solidarity is and also to introduce the NGOs to the defence of children’s rights, working directly in projects and campaigns,” he told the general house press office.