The 56 youths gathered in San Salvador are all members of the ELCA, a 16-month program for leadership training in Salesian perspective, where learning takes place for the most part through a virtual platform, but is complemented by attendance at two meetings: one which has just taken place and a second that will take place in Costa Rica in Easter 2014.

There are currently 123 past pupils enrolled in the ELCA, including a group of young people from the Dominican Republic who are following the online training. At the ELCA four main thematic areas are developed: leadership, ethics, social engagement and the Salesian character. Since 2009, those responsible in the Past Pupils Association of different countries work together to organize it. The School's purpose is to strengthen identity and sense of belonging to the Church, to the Salesian Family and the Association in new generations of Past Pupils. It aims to strengthen local partnerships, the focus of the Association at the Provincial and local level.

The young people who came to San Salvador arrived from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and celebrated the Easter Triduum together, renewing their commitment to promote values of life, truth and freedom through the Past Pupils Association.  They are also committed to live in solidarity with the excluded, in fidelity to the Risen Christ, the Church and Don Bosco. The Triduum celebrations were presided over by the World Delegate of the Association, Fr José Pastor Ramírez.

The event was coordinated by the Past Pupils Executive group from El Salvador: Eduardo Fernandez, President; Juan Valle, Secretary, Roberto Calderon, lawyer. The main animators were Fr Pastor Ramírez, who spoke on "Living in constant growth" and "The values and the work of Don Bosco"; Angelo Gudiña, World Vice-President of GEX, who spoke of "The GEX, the present and future of the Association" and "The duty of the leader of GEX"; and Fresia Méndez, President of GEX Costa Rica, spoke on the topic "Returning to Don Bosco". Also Julio Castellanos, Vice-President of the World Confederation for Latin America and promoter of the initiative in the region, made a contribution in terms of assistance and animation: "faith and leadership"

The meeting ended with the celebration of the Eucharist on Easter Sunday.

Published 03/04/2013