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 Hand in hand, let's build the Civilization of Love
European Gathering of Young Lasallians
Poland - 27 July 2003
International Council of Young Lasallians
Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría
Superior General |
 Dear Lasallian Family,
We would like to speak to you all to make you participants in the process of our movement, that of young Lasallians, that is currently taking place.
We are conscious of the fact that for many of you this will be the first time hearing word of something like this, but the truth is that for the last few years, a group of youth and of Brothers have been working on this ambitious project.
In the year 2000, while attending the WYD celebrations in Rome, a group of young Lasallians from all over the world was granted a meeting in the Generalate House. Some members of Canada Francophone delegation met with Brother Superior General. They discussed the possibility to hold an international symposium in Quebec, in 2002, to work the idea of forming an international movement of young Lasallians.
Following a serious road of preparation prior to the meeting, more than one hundred youth and Brothers reflected on the reality of the Institute, especially regarding the youth sector.
The universal reaction of young Lasallians present in Quebec was the following:
 The links between the young Lasallians around the world must be strengthened, improving the communication and knowing deeper the programs and activities held in the movement.
The desire to promote the association of the youth that passionately feel the charisma of La Salle and that share in the same mission, working together with the rest of the Lasallian family.
An emphasis on "being conscious of diversity": We can share the Lasallian charisma even though if we belong to different cultures, religions, languages, or races.
To stress a good formation for youth, educators, students, professionals and the religious, especially regarding social justice.
To grown in the consciousness of our reality and Lasallian values in our world.
In conjunction with the Lasallian Institute as a whole, we recognize the call to work for the educational service of the poor, specially for the promotion and defense of the rights of the child.
Furthermore, the participants of Quebec proposed the creation of an International Council, which would continue the work to date and that would watch over the continuity of the movement. In response to this, Brother Vicar General, after asking the youth and Brother Visitors, named the fifteen members that, together with himself, form the present council for a duration of three years. Their fundamental work is to advise Brother Superior General and his Council.
Concretely, the International Council of Young Lasallians seeks to promote the work of the youth toward the realization of the global mission of the Lasallian family:
Working for the continuing education of the poor.
Helping the youth discover meaning in their lives.
Defending the rights of the child.
Serving the marginalized youth of society
Creating ties between the young Lasallians of the world
Becoming promoters of the peace and inter-religious dialogue.
Let us focus on the European situation, where we are going to point out the strengths, weaknesses and hopes of the movement.
Strengths:
The Christian and Lasallian formation that a lot of youth, professionals, brothers, ... are receiving.
Another good point is that we are working in teams. This is a very strong sign that shows how important is sharing and living, day by day, the Lasallian ideals and charisma.
Our activities are strongly connected with the Brother's schools and institutions. This link reminds us how important is to be a part of the shared mission, together with the Brothers and the Lasallian Family. For this reason we think that the association with the Lasallian Family should be another strength of our movement in Europe.
Weaknesses:
There is a very poor communication between our national movements, as well as inside our own countries' movements.
We need to be aware of the existence of other young Lasallians in Europe and in the world.
We need to share reflections and projects which result from the gatherings such as Quebec 2002, the WYDs, European gatherings, etc.
What we want is a continuous interaction between the countries of our region, which can create a real international movement.
We have got to face a general tendency to consider the Church message and charisma "out of date". Being Lasallian or Christian doesn't mean "to be aside of the society", but just the opposite! As Lasallians and Christians we must be at the basis and participate with it at the activities of the youth, but being conscious that we can give a personal touch different than the one of the multitude.
Every country has its problems but we are working hard, and we think we are on the good path.
This leads us to our third point: our hopes.
We feel the necessity to organize us better at the European level as young Lasallians. This will help to solve our communication problems and will also be a very important way of sharing common objectives, without deny the originality of the different countries.
We also hope to have much more contact with the Brothers with whom we want to get more and more involved. We need their support to carry out our mission together.
This is, more or less, a global vision of the European situation, but Europe is just a part of the totality of the Lasallian Institute, present all around the world.
Actually the Brothers of the Christian Schools, aided by some 60.000 lay collaborators, teach, throughout the world, more than 775.000 students in 79 countries, grouped in 60 Districts, sub-Districts and delegations. Although these facts about the strength of the Institute are very clear, we should state that the Lasallian family (WHERE WE, THE YOUTH ARE INCLUDED) realizes in all of the varying activities, that one must have within oneself the desire to fight for the building of the CIVILIZATION OF LOVE.
The Lasallian charisma already lives in the context of the multicultural and multi-religious societies. The youth of all cultures and religious traditions have the right and the freedom to live the Lasallian charisma and to benefit from it.
It is for this reason that we call to the young Lasallians gathered here today to collaborate with us and to strengthen the links within the Lasallian family. As the Brother Superior General has clearly told us: "We count ourselves with you all!"
It is for all of this, our responsibility to work toward each particular reality, that we also organize ourselves, with the intention of facilitating our Lasallian educational work towards the most needy.
Remembering always that we are a fundamental part of the Institute and that we are not alone. Together, HAND IN HAND, we can change the reality in order to make a better world for ourselves.
International Council of Young Lasallians:
Andoni Rodríguez Blas, District of Bilbao
Anny Lutz, District of Sao Paulo
Cecilia Ruiz, District of North Mexico
Davide Smaldone, District of Italy
Diane Leutgeb, District of Midwest
Diego Aguirre, District of Bogota
Diego Rodríguez Tellez, District of Valencia/Palma
Gwendoline Nogue, District of France
Jeb Myers, District of Midwest
John Pallasigue, District of Manila
Matthieu Hétroit, District of France
Br. Moses Abunya, District of Lwanga
Rebecca Belton, District of Australia, New Zealand, PNG
Toni Moussa, District of Middle East
Br. William Mann, Vicar General
Yanick Chamberland-Richer, District of Canada francophone
E-mail Address : icyl@lasalle.org
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