(ANS – Guadalajara) – Between 20 and 24 February at Guadalajara there  was the XV Inter-Provincial Meeting of Mexico, the Antilles and Central America of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians  and the Salesians (CIMAC-Mesoamerica), attended also by representatives from Venezuela. The agenda was mainly concerned with the animation and management of Salesian schools.

On the first day there was a presentation of the Guide Lines for the Educative Mission of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians on the issues of the animation and administration of schools  by Sr Costanza Arango, responsible in the area of Youth Ministry for schools in America. This was followed by two days of formation and reflection, led by  Fr Miguel Angel García, from the Youth Ministry Department with responsibility for schools and vocational training centres; and by Dr Miquel Tallada, coordinator of school sin the Barcelona Province (SBA).

The first module examined the complexity and variety of the situations of Catholic schools and of those involved. Fr García focused on some aspects of the current school situation: the mission of the Sponsoring Body, which guarantees the preservation of the identity of the centres; the new position of the religious community within the organisation of the school;  the style of authority exercised by the senior management and the Director meant to be as positive as possible.

Dr. Miquel Tallada concentrated on the style of official direction and management and examined the “DAFO”  analytical system with its strengths and weaknesses, dangers and  opportunities for educational institutes. There was also consideration of the experience of quality systems, school networks and the ongoing development of the teaching staff.

In conclusion, three major challenges emerged: to pursue a model of animation- administration which draws up and implements constant ongoing development; to improve formation of the senior staff team; to put into practice a style of direction based on the concepts  of “leadership of change” and “moral leadership.”

Taking part in the meeting were three groups of the Salesian Family who are working in schools: Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians  and the Daughters of the Divine Saviour as well as some lay collaborators.

Published 27/02/2012