San Paolo (Brazil). A National Seminar organized by VIDES Brazil was held on 8-9 November 2025, at the Colégio Santa Inês, São Paulo, of Our lady Aparecida Province (BAP). The meeting, which brought together 33 participants from the four Brazilian Provinces, was attended by the Delegate of VIDES International, Sister Annecie Audate, who arrived from Rome, and the Provincial, Sister Alaíde Deretti, president of the Interprovincial Conference of Brazil (CIB).
Over the course of the two days, participants reflected on issues related to youth empowerment, global citizenship, and interculturality in the context of volunteering. The first formation session-on the theme “Volunteering and Volunteer Identity”-was led by Sister Adair Sberga, FMA, who in her presentation emphasized the role of volunteering as a social commitment and a tool for transformation, highlighting the presence of young people as protagonists, not as figures dependent on adults.
Subsequently, Sister Annecie Audate presented the theme “VIDES Volunteering as Global Citizenship Education,” focusing on developing a supportive, responsible, and sustainable conscience, inspired by caring for people and the planet, without losing cultural identity.
The program also included a formation session on “VIDES and Interculturality”, led by Giseli Siqueira Prado of the Mother Mazzarello Province (BMM), which addressed the themes of dialogue between cultures, overcoming colonizing practices, and promoting critical, participatory, and transformative interculturality, valorizing diversity and the collective production of knowledge.
Sister Annecie also shared her volunteer experiences around the world in 2024, highlighting international initiatives and the strengthening of the VIDES global network.
In the final stages of the Seminar, the Provinces shared their experiences, talking about their own realities, defining objectives and commitments to continue and consolidate actions in the Country. The meeting concluded with the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Fr. Camilo Profiro, Salesian of Don Bosco.
Resonances
“Participating in the VIDES Seminar was a profoundly transformative experience. From the very first moment I felt that it was not just a training meeting, but a real space for sharing, listening, and growth. Living these days with people who have the same purpose –to serve with love– has rekindled in me the certainty that volunteering is one of the most beautiful ways to love and transform the world. The seminar was an invitation to look within oneself, to recognize God’s call, and to renew the commitment to live the mission with joy, faith, and dedication. I return with a heart full of gratitude and with an even greater desire to continue carrying out the commitment to VIDES with love, hope, and service”. (Lia Patrícia M. Leitão – Maria Ausiliatrice Province – BRE)
“The VIDES Brazil National Seminar was another important step towards greater and better coordination among Brazilian Provinces, reinforcing the importance of VIDES volunteering as a humanizing formation strategy and one of social transformation. The exploration of the topic of global citizenship offered a reflection on the importance of our actions in the current global socio-political context and reconfirmed the meaning of working online to achieve better results with the actions we implement.” (Thiago Luiz Queiroz Ferreira – Former International VIDES Councilor, lay representative of the Mother Mazzarello Province – BMM).
“During the Seminar, I was able to experience moments of formation, exchange, and listening that touched me deeply. It was inspiring to see the light shine in each participant’s eyes, to feel the enthusiasm of those who believe in the power of service and love towards others. VIDES is undoubtedly a beautiful project, which deserves ever greater recognition and visibility. Those who have the opportunity to experience this know how transformative it is. Being a volunteer means carrying within you the constant desire to serve and do good. It means keeping alive the flame of solidarity, faith, and hope for a better world. I am grateful and happy to be part of this beautiful mission, which makes me grow as a person and fills me with meaning.” (Pâmela Moraes Fernandes – VIDES volunteer at Our Lady Aparecida Province – BAP).
