Rome (Italy). From 28 to 30 November 2018 the national FIDAE proposed a series of events entitled “Mirror, mirror of my desires … Identities and languages of students of the XXI century”, at the Augustinianum Auditorium in Rome. About twenty Daughters of Mary Help of Christians participated, representatives of the Schools of the 7 Provinces of Italy.
On the morning of Wednesday, November 28th there was the participation in the General Audience of the Holy Father and in the afternoon, the start of the National Congress with a prayer animated by the boys Nomadelfia; the greeting of Virginia Kaladich, National President FIDAE; and the introductory intervention by Ernesto Diaco, Director of the National Office for Education, the School, the University of CEI.
Presenting the theme, “Agenda 2030 for the new generations: Looking at the future together”, was Philippe Richard, Secretary General of the International Office of Catholic Education (OIEC), followed by the report of Johnny Dotti, pedagogue and CEO of ON Social Enterprise, on the theme “The new generations according to the point of view of a father-pedagogue-entrepreneur”. He invited us to have a positive gaze for the young people of our time and above all, to read situations with hope and blessing.
On the afternoon of November 28th at the Basilica of S. Maria sopra Minerva, after the Eucharistic Celebration presided by Msgr. Stefano Russo, the new general secretary of CEI, there was an artistic-cultural study: an intervention on Fra Angelico guided by Anna Delle Foglie, art historian, with a musical intermezzo by the Ethos Ensemble group, led by maestro Michele Pozzobon, which acted as a ‘counterpoint’ to the commentary on the images.
Thursday 29, under the leadership of Francesco Giorgino, RAI journalist, there were the speeches by Marco Bussetti, Minister of Education, University, and Research on “The school in Italy and developments in the presence of the school in the Italian school system” who expressed the desire to “set up a round table of technology and discussion with the Peer Schools to find common solutions for the good of the National Scholastic Institution”; and of Simone Riccioni, actor and producer, and Giorgia Benusiglio, writer on “I no can make free” referring to the new film to show in schools: “My second time” on the subject of drugs.
On the second day, numerous workshops were held. Among the topics dealt with were: digital technologies, sustainability, creativity, the fight against bullying, and the “I POSSO!” Project on the encyclical Laudato Sì by Pope Francis.
The closing talk on “New generations and new fragilities: The Atlas of childhood at risk in Italy and Agenda 2030” was edited by Giulio Cederna, journalist. A space was dedicated to the presentation of the grant of the National Council of the Catholic School “Educating in change” and of the XX Report of the Catholic Studies Center.
The congress ended on Friday, November 30, 2018 with the 73rd National Elective Assembly. After fulfilling the statutory requirements, the announcement of the new National Councilors and Auditors was announced who, together with the regional Presidents, will form the New Council for the 2018-2021 mandate.
