The first activity of the General Assembly today was to welcome the partner consultants to the Chapter. The partner consultants will be members of the Chapter from May 8 to May 20. Following their welcoming by Br. John Johnston, Superior General, the partners were invited to introduce themselves to the assembly, giving a brief account of their association with the Brothers.

Following these introductions, each partner consultant signed the Chapter Registry and became an official member of the Chapter. Thus the Chapter has reached its full compliment of 151 members. During these two weeks, the partners will be integrated fully into the Chapter, joining the commissions that will be created later this week.

For some, the term "partner" used in this context may seem foreign. For many years, we Brothers have been joined in our educational ministry by lay persons, religious from other orders, and priests. Thus the term 'lay partner' is not accurate because not all of our partners are lay. Our co-workers have been married and single, religious, clerical and lay. In some areas of the world, their association has taken on structure, some more formal than others. Likewise, as these grass roots movements have matured, various names have been given to them. In some parts of the world we call them associates, in other parts colleagues etc. Because we gather from all over the world with different backgrounds and experiences of association, it shouldn't surprise anyone that terminology is a challenge.

One of the topics that this General Chapter will most likely take up is this issue of association. Because of the wide diversity of its application around the world, some are calling for clarification, vision and structure. In the mean time, I will continue to use the word partner to describe those non-Brother members of the Chapter who were invited to join us for these two weeks. They will probably help us greatly in our search for clarification about the topic of association.

Following the presentation of the partners, Br. Adalberto Aranda and Br. Jon Lezamiz presented a report on the 1999-2000 session of CIL (International Lasallian Center). This session was aimed at the renewal of the Lasallian mission and the theme being "Associated together for the educational service of the poor". Included in the program was a two-month experience of mission and four months of study, interiorization and community life in Rome. Thirty-seven people attended, 34 Brothers, 2 Guadalupanas Sisters, and one layman. The participants were provided with 62 possible projects in which they could spend two months working directly with the poor. Of the 37 participants, only two Brothers did not participate in that phase of the program. According to one participant, it had been an experience that had completely transformed him. The participants' recommendation to the members of the Chapter was that they too should have a similar experience of working directly with the poor.

The last presentation of the day was given by Br. Nicolas Capelle and concerned the 5 colloquia that were held starting in 1994. The 42nd General Chapter of 1993 directed the "Brother Superior and his Council to name a group of experts in the field of education who would serve as observers of the broad educational concerns throughout the world to enable the Centre of the Institute to develop a public policy." With this mandate, a committee was formed to draw up a program that would fulfill this proposition. As a result of their work, 5 colloquia were held from 1994 to 1998. The topics were reported in detail in Bulletin No. 245 of the Institute. Br. Nicolas, one of the members of the original committee, reported on six important trends that face Christian educators, educational institutions and therefore the Institute.

The first trend he reported was that societies are becoming more and more subjected to the influence of multinational corporations. Their dominance over markets and monetary flow influence areas which, at one time, were the purview of governments, leaving them with less and less room in which to maneuver.

A second trend is toward the marginalization of immigrant populations. The migration of large numbers of people from areas of financial precariousness, ethnic conflict and war are causing cities to become over crowded with little in place to take care of this migration. Border cities of refugees are being created with no adequate planning for the services necessary to support their inhabitants.

Another trend is that societies are being forced to face the tensions that exist between a movement toward individualism existing alongside a need for belonging. Some societies recognize and attempt to foster the dignity of individuals, their personal choices, desires, freedom and uniqueness. But this individualization does not wipe out the need for being attentive to the needs of others, a need to belong to a group, a need for intimacy and solidarity. The tension that exists between these two realities has both positive and negative consequences.

A fourth trend is for societies to develop a keen consciousness of the family and its basic value. While the family seems everywhere to be shaken up by unemployment, migration, consumerism, individualism and the loss of ethical and religious points of reference, there is also a considerable effort being made to sustain families, to help them and to protect them. Within this dynamic the role of women is becoming more and more a dominant issue. Important relational issues spring from this discussion, issues involving non-traditional families. Young people find themselves challenged or abandoned while facing the structural questions involving intimacy, individuality and belonging.

The fifth trend again involves a tension. On the one hand parents generally search for what is best for their children in terms of their formation and education. They ask the school for quality instruction and training. They often request that the school fulfill the role that they themselves do not accomplish within the family. At the same time, especially in poor countries, government leaders no longer invest in primary instruction and are disinterested in the layers of the population from which they cannot expect to receive a profit in the short term. The education of girls and women is oftentimes sacrificed. Everywhere, the middle school or secondary school seems to be the weak link in the educational system.

The final trend also involves a dichotomy. Some hope that the established religions might be a factor for peace. But many others believe that nothing can be expected from religious systems. They expect everything from individual transformation and the network of good will which inhabits the earth. Many young people are at the same time are criticizing the great religious traditional systems, and asking religious systems about the meaning of life. They enjoy only the religious approaches that respect their individual freedoms and have a minimal number of doctrinal and hierarchical rules, interfering in the least possible way in their personal ethics. Nevertheless, religions that present model men and women who have clearly surrendered themselves to others, seem to produce a fascination that attracts young people to them.