The 43rd General Chapter is underway and more and more the Brother participants are beginning to relate with one another and to know each other.

The strategies proposed by the Preparatory Commission to foster greater understanding among the chapter members are varied. On May 2, each Region in the Institute presented itself in the General Assembly. Each Regional representative had twenty minutes to do this using a great variety of styles: oral presentations, use of multimedia, slides, etc.

On the morning of May 3, Brother John Johnston presented his Report to the General Chapter. This was done in the form of a commentary on the report that was published on November 30, 1999.

Following his report, there were regional meetings. During these sessions the members of the Chapter could see more clearly the challenges that each of the eleven Regions faces and which, taken together, represent the challenges that the 21st century presents to the Institute.

Aging and the end of one way of being within the Institute.
The existence and the vitality of Lasallians.
Community life and District leadership.
The formation of Brothers and lay Lasallians for shared mission.
An in-depth study of the lay character of our vocation.
Educational service of the poor.
Evangelization of young people today.
Planning for our schools.
Planning for the Region.

Brothers expressed admiration for the work that is being done and concern for the challenges of young people who are more and more numerous and at risk. They heard about works one-hundred years old, wonderful facilities, anniversaries of foundations and a broad-based, competent and motivated participation by lay colleagues who share our mission. In contrast to this scenario are the popular works in schools and very poor areas where the most outstanding thing is the smile on the faces of the children and the affection that characterize their relationship with the Brothers and teachers.

In inter-regional conversations, the Brothers expressed an increase in the respect and the admiration for what is being done and talked about the need to find suitable ways to be able to support regions that are in difficulty. One such exampleis RELAF, the region of Africa, where racial and political problems, violence and poverty, natural disasters and corrupt governments have unleashed a social chaos that hampers the smooth running of formal education. The African continent has a great deal to offer the world may be the future of the Institute. The Church and the Institute are growing steadly in RELAF.

Another way for the Members to become more familiar with the reality of each Region is by way of the expositions displayed on special panels in the corridors of the Generalate that depict the situation of the Regions. There are Regions that have set up an ongoing display. Other Regions have a general section and a space so that the Districts that make it up can exhibit the appropriate information. This is a beautiful patchwork, a space for creativity and brilliant colors, statistical information, buildings and faces, signs of the activity of the Spirit in the Church and of the strength of the charism of De La Salle.