Santo Domingo (Dom. Rep.). On November 1, 2018, the 4th Congress of American FMA Past Pupils began in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and ended on November 5th, 2018.
The meeting took place in an atmosphere of joy and intense work for the over 330 participants, including Sister Maria Luisa Miranda, General Councilor for the Salesian Family, and Sr. Gabriela Patiño, World Delegate of the FMA Past Pupils.
A sign of vitality and hope was given by the 90 young people who actively participated in the Congress.
For almost two years the Federation of Uruguay, in dialogue with the organization team of the Federation of the Antilles, made an important contribution to the Congress through meetings and workshops dedicated to young people.
The Congress alternated between times of Eucharist, prayer, reflection, celebration, and formation through conferences, workshops, and life experiences.
The theme of the Congress “New technologies. Tools at the service of evangelization and the Salesian charism” was developed in sub-themes: The world of technology and communication (Luis Martín Gómez), Communication beyond technology (Eng. César Cordero), My role before the defense of life, faith and family: threats, problems and challenges (Mercedes Pérez Pimentel), Technology as a tool for the strengthening of the Salesian charism (Eng. Patricio Camilo), Personal finances and for NGOs. How to realize an economically sustainable social work (Harold Vásquez), Responsible communication in the mass media and social networks (Josefina Navarro), From the pyramid to the network (Ligia Inés Mejía), Brief commentary on the Statute (Father Maria Castillón, Confederal Councilor for the North, Central, and West Indies), and Hands in the World (Guillermo Gutiérrez).
The Workshops were led by young animators of the Uruguay Federation: Past Pupils: yesterday, today, and always; Significant meetings in the digital age; Called … to what? Sr. Maritza Ortiz, FMA presented a re-reading of the Statute of 2015 in the light of the current reality of the American continent.
The participants listened to different life experiences: Challenges and resilience in the association life of the alumni presented by the Past Pupils of Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela; Technology and communication in the family. Values to be highlighted presented by Alejandro Antúnez; Social Network Experience presented by the St. Rose of Lima Federation in Peru.
The Congress ended on 5 November 2018 with the identification of the commitments that will guide the work of the Federations until 2021.
