Third day of the International Meeting on Communication and Marketing
The third day of the Marist International Meeting on Communication and Marketing, 31st October, centered on deeping Marist identity and impact through effective communication. The day began with a reflective prayer led by Br. Tri Nguyen, asking, “How Does God Communicate with Us?” This question grounded participants in the purpose of their work, framing communication as a mission to connect and inspire.
Towards a Unified Marist Identity
All morning was dedicated to the theme of a corporate image for the Institute. During the last years, the Department of Communications is leading a process to discern how to be more effective in communicating the Marist mission through an institutional image. The discuss showed the necessity of propose an image that identifies in a clear way the journey as global family. The General Council gave his approval to continue that process. The Agência Libre was contracted to help on that project and Julliane Brita has been present in the meeting and leaded the group in the morning of the third day of the meeting. She was accompanied in this task by Oniodi Gregolin (Brasil Centro-Norte) and Victor Recuerda Hita (Mediterránea), representing the group of Marist communicators who help the communications department in this process. First of all, Julliane presented the report on the situation of the Marist image in the world. This report, presented to the General Council in February last year, was elaborated through consultations with students, educators, brothers, lay people and other interest groups. From this diagnosis, a plan was drawn up for the creation of strategies to give unity to the Marist image in all regions through a strong Marist brand. The process is underway and the participants in the meeting were invited to be part of it as protagonists. After identifying the values to be taken into account in a logo proposal and drawing them in a simple way, the communicators met in the General Council Chapel, presenting draft logos with the elements they considered appropriate, following the indications given by the General Council. These designs were placed in a meaningful way in front of the statue of the Good Mother in the General Council Chapel. With confidence, the participants offered their efforts in prayer, singing the Salve Regina, and entrusted their work to the guidance of the Good Mother.
A Vision for Today’s Church and World
The day closed with ” A Communication Vision for Today’s Church and World”, presented by John Dardis, Assistants “ad providentiam” of the Jesuit Order and director of communication of the Jesuits till last June, and Fr. Chuks Afiawaris, actual director of communication of the order. They discussed the importance of storytelling, contextual awareness, and a synodal approach to communication. They also laid emphasis on crafting a strategic plan to address evolving communication needs.
At the evening, a walk by the historic places of Rome and a dinner concludes the journey, that reaffirmed Marist’s dedication to walking as a global family.
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Onwutalu Nnodu Chukwubueze, fms – Nigeria
