World Children’s Day celebrated by the General Administration
On November 20th, World Children’s Day, the Marist Foundation for International Solidarity (FMSI) and the Secretariat of Solidarity-CMI held the event “Voices of Tomorrow” at the General House, on the occasion of the 35th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The event aimed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by children around the world, promote their rights, and reaffirm the Marist Institute’s commitment—particularly through FMSI and the Secretariat of Solidarity-CMI—to the promotion, protection, and defense of the rights of all children, which is the focal point of the Marist mission.
The event was moderated by Andrea Rossi, Executive Director of FMSI, and featured several speakers both in person and online.
Brother Diego Leonardo Zawadzky, Assistant Director of the Secretariat of Solidarity-CMI, delivered the welcome address and greeted everyone on behalf of Brother Ernesto Sánchez, Superior General, and Brother Ken McDonald, General Councillor and link for the area of Solidarity and FMSI. “As Marists, we are called to ‘walk with the children and young people marginalized from life’ and to ‘respond boldly to emerging needs,'” said Br Diego.
The Franciscan friar Markus Henze, former Executive Director of Franciscans International, also participated, highlighting the importance of advocating for rights alongside educational and social services for the well-being of children.
Pamela Delfino, Project Manager at FMSI and responsible for Children’s Rights, presented the work carried out by the Secretariat and FMSI through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). This is one of the most effective tools for promoting human rights worldwide, and FMSI has utilized it with notable impact. In collaboration with the Secretariat of Solidarity, established by the Marist Brothers in 2019, FMSI has contributed 74 UPR reports in 44 countries and has gathered 1,089 recommendations addressing a wide range of issues, such as equitable access to education, healthcare, food security, and protection from abuse (see UPR’s map)
At the event, the project IRODA (Parents of Children with Autism Initiative), which advocates for the rights and interests of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Tajikistan, was awarded the “A Better World for Children” prize. IRODA is a partner of BICE (Bureau International Catholique de l’Enfance). Alessandra Aula, Secretary General of BICE, received the award.
During the event, the “Margot Tombe” award was presented for the first time, in honor of the historic Marist Blue from Aleppo, who passed away last year. The award was presented by Leyla Antaki, from Aleppo. In its first edition, this award was granted to the National Board of Indigenous Educational Extension in San Mateo del Mar and San Felipe Zihualtepec, a project of the Marist Province of México Central, which empowers marginalized women and achieves the “improvement of the teaching-learning process for indigenous adolescent women.” Br. José Sánchez Bravo, Director of the Secretariat of Education and Evangelization and member of the Province, received the award on behalf of the board of Mexico.
Brother Ángel Diego, Director of the Secretariat of Solidarity, who coordinates advocacy initiatives together with FMSI, thanked everyone for their presence and commitment to “making the goal of the XXII General Chapter a reality.”
The event concluded with words from the Director of FMSI, Andrea: “Thank you all for being part of this event, and we will see you next year.”