New models of animation, government and management

On 15, 16 and 17 October, the European meeting on new models of animation, government and management, promoted by Br Emili Turú and the General Council, was held in the General House. This was the fifth meeting held in the Marist world after those of the Americas, Africa and Oceania. The meeting in Asia, to be held at the end of this month, will close this first phase of analysis which is being carried out.

Those taking part in this meeting were the Provincial Councils of the five provinces of Europe: Compostela, Ibérica, West Central Europe, l´Hermitage and Mediterránea, as well as some significant leaders of provincial animation and management.

The meeting was organized around group discussion with the first idea of taking a photograph, and making an analysis of the situation of the Marist life and mission in reference to animation, management and government. A second part of the work consisted of making a future projection which serves for finding new models, new forms which can be implemented in the future, thus providing a response to one of the calls of the XXI General Chapter.

The objectives set for the meeting were as follows:

• Make the project known: its origin, progressive realization, its final scope, purpose, the process proposed and the results hoped for.
• Develop the first phase of analysis by gathering information about the actual situation of the provinces and the region and the future projections currently existing (at the levels of works, province, region, General Administration and Institute).
• Promote a better mutual understanding between the provinces which form the European region with regard to aspects relating to the project.
• Encourage the participation of the provinces in the development of the project.

The provinces took the opportunity to present and share their situation with the others present. In addition, the Project Team had encounters and meetings with each province in order to gain a firsthand knowledge of the different situations of Marist Europe.

The fraternal and welcoming environment was a tonic for the meeting and the work performed, and there were times shared in common with those taking part in other meetings being held in parallel: the formation of older brothers and the meeting of new provincials.