VIDES International Assembly

Rome (Italy). On 4 July   2021, the ordinary Assembly of the members of VIDES, the International Volunteer Service for Women Education and Development, the Volunteer Association promoted by the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians that works for the promotion and defense of  the rights of children, young people, and women took place online. The Assembly was attended by 67 members connected  from all over the world.

The meeting opened with the greeting of the Mother General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sr. Yvonne Reungoat, who recalled that  “To be a member of VIDES is to become good Samaritans of a humanity that is wounded and abandoned on the side of the road, of a humanity which, in evolved societies, risks losing the coordinates for its own full realization and in others it does not have the minimum possibilities to access a dignified life open to the future for itself and for its sons and daughters.” She invited us to read the Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti and to ask ourselves “about its concretization as an Association and as individuals within their work environment, their family, their commitments in society”.

Mr. Guido Barbera, President of VIDES International, in his presentation   underlined the need to reflect on the path made since 1987, the year in which the Association was born to date, with many young people, with members and communities, in a world that has greatly changed, also and above all in human relationships and in the exploitation of the planet’s resources. “Today, Pope Francis invites us to redesign our life not only as individuals, but also as an Association. Our task, therefore, is to re-read our journey made in these 34 years, rich in experiences, thousands of stories and faces, in a world that has gradually transformed, to redesign it in the new reality and in the new context of today because: we are all in the same boat!”.

During the Assembly, the election of the Administrative Council for the four-year period 2021-2025 took place, made up by statute, of 15 people: the FMA Delegate of VIDES International, 7 lay people elected from among those proposed by the members, 7 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

After the election of the Administrative Council, the election of the Presidential Council took place: Sister Annecie Audate was elected Director General; Mr. Guido Barbera, President; Mrs. Patrizia Biagini, Secretary; Sr. Halina Kocwin, FMA, Councilor of the Presidency; Sr. Anna Maria Nizzola, FMA, Treasurer.

Gratitude to the previous Administrative Council and good wishes for the new one are the recognition of a commitment that contributes to the creation of a fraternal and supportive society in which young people are active and co-responsible citizens.

Sources:  https://www.vides.org/