lunedì 30 novembre 2015

venerdì 27 novembre 2015

GHANA - KONONGO- THE STUDENTS UNDER TREES

 
OVER 150 FRESH STUDENTS OF ST. LOUIS SHS STUDY UNDER TREES





      Due to inadequate infrastructure, about one hundred and fifty fresh students of St. Louis Senior High School in Kumasi are currently studying under trees.
      This came into light when some media persons visited the school on Monday morning to find out with first year students had started classes.
     The visit revealed that three classes were having their lessons under trees and five of them were using uncompleted assembly hall which was started in the year 2007 as their class rooms.
     It was noted that the school had only seven official classrooms which had already occupied by some of the first year classes.
     It was also gathered that about half of the first year students were using newly constructed Science Laboratory and ironing shed as temporally dormitory.
    It was observed that the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of the school was constructing 12 Unit classroom storey building and the 2 Unit dormitory storey building which was started in the year2007 by the government of Ghana under the Get-fund projects was still under construction.
     It was also observed that as a result of the high students’ population increased the authorities had strategized to ration the use of the dining hall which had affected the teaching and learning process.
    The dining hall which was built over fifty years ago for 16 students as beginners is now used for over 2200 students currently. 
    The source at the school explained that the contractors were in a hurry to complete the projects before the first year students would report but the projects were far from completion.
   The source also indicated that even if the construction works are completed the school might have needed additional two storey classroom blocks to reduce congestion in the various class rooms.
   Notwithstanding the challenges, the government has supplied the school with number of mental beds and some student desks.
     When the school authorities were contacted they declined to comment and were tight .

giovedì 26 novembre 2015

GLASGOW - THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL AS A COURTYARD OF THE GENTILES


The Catholic School as 
a Courtyard of the Gentiles


Leonardo Franchi -
 University of Glasgow

The Courtyard of the Gentiles, an initiative moved forward by Pope Benedict  XVI, has provided the Catholic Church with an official forum for dialogue with atheists. The intellectual energy surrounding this initiative can be harnessed to focus on how the contemporary Catholic school addressed its responsibilities to the Catholic community while offering a good education to people of other religious traditions. The Courtyard initiative is an opportunity for the Catholic educational community to re-consider its purpose as an ecclesial agent in a plural society. This article argues that the distinctive content and pedagogy it employs in this endeavor is a bold manifestation of contemporary radicalism in education.
Two key challenges facing the Catholic school today are its uneasy relationship with aspects of contemporary educational thought and the pressing issues arising from the changing demographic of the contemporary Catholic school population (Baumfield, Conroy, Davis, & Lundie, 2012). The Church’s ongoing reflection on the aims and purposes of Catholic education in a plural society is an expression of contemporary radicalism that often runs counter to the progressive norms which drive education policymakers (cf. Rymarz, 2012; McDonough, 2009). Additionally, the substantial number of non-Catholic students attending Catholic schools—15.9% of total  student enrollment in 2012-2013 (National Catholic Education Association, 2013)—challenges those within the Catholic community who assume that the Catholic school should be reserved for students from Catholic families.
Given these crucial socio-cultural factors, it is incumbent upon advocates of Catholic education to find fresh conceptual frameworks to express how the Catholic worldview and its associated educational vision can continue to contribute towards building a good society.
Two projects, both emerging from the pontificate of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, provide resources for maintaining the distinctiveness of …..
           

mercoledì 25 novembre 2015

ACEPTAR EL RETO EDUCATIVO - ACCETTARE IL RISCHIO DI EDUCARE - THE RISK OF EDUCATION - LES RISQUES DE L'EDUCATION



TO BE ABLE TO RISK IN ORDER 
TO FACE EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES
The World Congress of Catholic education

Several thousands of teachers and directors in Catholic schools and universities around the world participated in the Congress organized by the Congregation for Catholic Education of the Holy See. The prestigious initiative, prepared since long, with considerable effort, especially thanks to the dynamism of Monsignor Vincenzo Zani and the scientific coordination of Professor Italo Fiorin, was a very appropriate way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Declaration Gravissimum Educationis approved by the Council Vatican II and the 25th anniversary of Ex Corde Ecclesiae, the Apostolic Constitution on the identity and mission of the Catholic University, promulgated by John Paul II.

Last year, the Congregation prepared a Instrumentum Laboris - Working Paper to help all ecclesial institutes, schools and Catholic universities as well as all Catholic teachers to discuss the present educational problems. It suggested operational measures to improve the quality of education and to relaunch the Church's commitment to respond adequately to the educational emergency........ 


**************************
SABER CONOCER EL RIESGO 
PARA ACEPTAR EL RETO EDUCATIVO
El Congreso Mundial de la educación católica

Varios miles de maestros y directores de escuelas y universidades católicas de todo el mundo participaron en el Congreso organizado por la Congregación para la Educación Católica de la Santa Sede.
       La prestigiosa iniciativa, preparado desde hace mucho tiempo, con un esfuerzo considerable, sobre todo gracias al dinamismo de monseñor Vincenzo Zani y la coordinación científica del profesor Italo Fiorin, era una manera muy apropiada para celebrar el 50 aniversario de la Declaración Gravissimum Educationis aprobado por el Concilio Vaticano II y el 25 aniversario de la Ex Corde Ecclesiae, la Constitución Apostólica sobre la identidad y la misión de la universidad católica, promulgada por Juan Pablo II. El año pasado, la Congregación ha preparado un documento de trabajo para ayudar a todos: iglesia, escuelas y universidades católicas y maestros católicos para discutir los problemas educativos emergentes para sugerir pistas y medidas operativas para mejorar la calidad de la educación y .......

continua: CONGRESO EDUCACION CATOLICA YCONSEYO UMEC-WUCT


SAVOIR RISQUER pour ACCEPTER les DEFIS de L’EDUCATION
Le congrès mondial de l’éducation catholique


Plusieurs milliers d’enseignants et dirigeants catholiques des écoles et universités du monde entier ont participé au congrès organisé par la congrégation pour l’éducation catholique du Saint Siège. La prestigieuse initiative, préparée depuis longtemps, avec un  remarquable travail, en particulier grâce à la dynamique de Monseigneur Vincenzo Zani et à la coordination scientifique du professeur Italo Fiorin a été un moyen très opportun pour célébrer les 50 ans de la déclaration Gravissimus Educationis, lancée  par le concile Vatican II et le 25° de la Ex Corde Ecclesiae, la constitution apostolique sur l’identité  et sur la mission de l’université catholique promulguée par Jean Paul II. L’année dernière la Congrégation a préparé un « Instrumentum Laboris » pour aider toutes les réalité ecclésiales, les écoles et les universités catholiques, et aussi les enseignants catholiques à débattre des problèmes éducatifs émergeants afin de suggérer des pistes opérationnelles capables d’améliorer la qualité de l’éducation et de relancer l’engagement de l’église pour répondre de façon adaptée aux besoins éducatifs...... 


*********************************************************************

SAPER RISCHIARE PER ACCETTARE

 LE SFIDE EDUCATIVE

Il Congresso mondiale dell’educazione cattolica

      Diverse migliaia di docenti e dirigenti cattolici delle scuole e delle università di tutto il mondo hanno partecipato al Congresso organizzato dalla Congregazione per l’Educazione Cattolica della Santa Sede. La prestigiosa iniziativa, preparata da tempo, con notevole impegno, in particolare grazie alla dinamicità di S. E. Monsignor Vincenzo Zani e al coordinamento scientifico del professore Italo Fiorin, è stata un modo quanto mai opportuno per celebrare i 50 anni della Dichiarazione Gravissimum Educationis varata dal Concilio Vaticano II,   e il 25° della Ex Corde Ecclesiae , la Costituzione apostolica sull’identità  e sulla missione dell’università cattolica, promulgata da Giovanni Paolo II. Lo scorso anno la Congregazione ha preparato un Instrumentum Laboris per aiutare tutte le realtà ecclesiali, le scuole e le università cattoliche, nonché gli insegnanti cattolici a dibattere le problematiche educative emergenti al fine di suggerire piste operative atte a migliorare la qualità dell’educazione e di rilanciare l’impegno della Chiesa per rispondere adeguatamente all’emergenza educativa. Sono state molte le iniziative .....

continua:  CONGRESSO EDUCAZIONE CATTOLICA e CONSIGLIO UMEC

domenica 22 novembre 2015

Audience for participants in a world congress sponsored by the Congregation for Catholic Education in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican

Educare cristianamente è 
portare avanti i giovani, i 
bambini 
nei valori umani
 in tutta la  realtà,
 e una di queste realtà è la 
trascendenza.


Video


The educational alliance among families, schools and states is broken, causing a serious situation that leads to selecting to educate only “supermen” chosen solely based on intelligence or wealth, Pope Francis said

Education is too selective and elitist, says Pope Francis

“Es verdad que no solo los vínculos educativos se han roto, sino también la educación se ha vuelto demasiado selectiva y elitista… Ciertamente no tienen derecho a la educación todos los jóvenes y los niños. Esta es una realidad mundial que nos avergüenza… La educación debe ir por estos tres caminos; enseñar a pensar, ayudar a sentir bien y acompañar en el hacer”

Papa Francisco a maestros católicos


Le Pape invite les enseignants chrétiens à expérimenter de nouvelles méthodes inclusives
Eduquer, avec de nouvelles méthodes et des horizons ouverts, aux valeurs de l’humanité et à la transcendance: telle est la consigne que le Pape François a confiée aux participants au Congrès mondial promu par la Congrégation pour l’éducation catholique, reçus dans la salle Paul VI dans la matinée du samedi 21 novembre. 

venerdì 20 novembre 2015

‘INITIAL AND ON-GOING FORMATION: THE MA IN CATHOLIC SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

EDUCATING TODAY AND TOMORROW: A RENEWING PASSION
CENTRO MARIAPOLI CASTELGANDOLFO
FRIDAY 20th NOVEMBER 2015

Dr John Lydon KCHS FHEA
Programme Director
MA in Catholic School Leadership
St Mary’s University, Twickenham, London UK


‘INITIAL AND ON-GOING FORMATION: THEMA IN CATHOLIC SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
                                          A PERSPECTIVE FROM THE UK’

Before outlining my presentation I would like to thank most sincerely Cardinal Grocholewski the former Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education and Archbishop Zani Secretary of the Congregation for inviting me to present a paper at this World Congress celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Gravissimum Educationis the foundational document on Christian education of the Second Vatican Council.

 OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION
To explore the nature of the MA in Catholic School Leadership Programme at St Mary’s Catholic University London
- To highlight the demonstrable focus on Formation
 - To underline contemporary challenges and suggest ways in which Catholic school leaders may respond to the challenges


THE NATURE OF THE MA IN CATHOLIC SCHOOL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

AT ST MARY’S UNIVERSITY LONDON

CATHOLIC TEACHERS IN THE WORLD- The WUCT's President in the Congress


Go  and teach
all nations!




....... We must  revert to  a “Yes, we can!” mentality.
We must radiate confidence and enthusiasm when presenting our identity with a message of belief, hope and peace;  a peace which we strive for in word and deed. 

It remains the mandate of all Catholics, to follow without fear the Pope and all Catholics responsible to further disseminate this hopeful optimism and positive message.

Not by sterile discussions and not by apathy, but by supporting firmly and proudly  ‘our’ educational system and the values in which we believe.  We can do this with the means we have: sincere belief, creativity, timely action, use of modern communication techniques, human input and necessary financial resources. 
Only then we can achieve the “teach all nations” mandate. Every organization sharing our ideals is needed  and welcome!  Warmly welcome!  
And, dear people all together, so are you!  You are a real and necessary part of that chain!

Together we are emphasizing the influence of the rapid ideological and technical developments with school and education ...........


CATHOLIC TEACHERS IN THE WORLD - slides

TEACH ALL NATIONS


domenica 15 novembre 2015

UNESCO: Le crime de Paris nous affecte tous

LA DIRECTRICE GÉNÉRALE DE L’UNESCO
 EXPRIME SA SOLIDARITÉ AVEC LA  FRANCE 
APRÈS LES ATTAQUES DE PARIS


 La Directrice générale de l’UNESCO, Irina   Bokova, a condamné les attaques survenues vendredi 13 novembre à
 Paris, sans précédent dans l’histoire du pays, et exprimé ses  condoléances au peuple français. « Je souhaite au nom de l’UNESCO  et en mon nom personnel exprimer au peuple français et à toutes les  familles lourdement endeuillées par ces actes barbares, mes plus  profondes condoléances. Ce crime nous affecte tous, et c’est une  attaque contre l’humanité dans son ensemble. »  « Moins d’un an après les attentats de janvier, et plusieurs  attaques récentes en maints endroits du monde, l’extrémisme violent  a cherché de nouveau à frapper au cœur du vivre ensemble, dans des  lieux de convivialité et de rassemblement, les cafés, les stades, les  lieux de spectacles, qui sont aussi des lieux de culture, dans une ville  qui en est le symbole dans le monde entier.  A l’heure où l’UNESCO et les Nations Unies, créées au lendemain  de la guerre, célèbrent leur 70ème anniversaire, ce crime témoigne
 de la plus horrible manière des nouveaux visages de la violence, qui ne  connait pas de frontières, et peut frapper n’importe où. Ce surcroit  de haine appelle en réponse un supplément d’unité, pour réaffirmer  plus que jamais les valeurs de paix, de dialogue et de compassion, et  tenir debout contre la barbarie. L’UNESCO mettra tout en œuvre pour  soutenir la France, son Etat hôte, dans cette épreuve. »

sabato 14 novembre 2015

PARIS. A MASSACRE THAT SCARES, CONFUSES, PUZZLES

PARIS. A MASSACRE THAT SCARES, CONFUSES, PUZZLES

 UMEC-WUCT shares the grief and pain of the French people over the terrible events which have sown destruction and death in Paris.
UMEC-WUCT disapproves of all forms of naked violence and prays for the victims. It hopes fora rapid recovery for those wounded.
UMEC-WUCT invites teachers and education establishments to reinforce their commitment to an education based on respect and tolerance, cooperation and peace, in order to prevent violence and fundamentalism. 


La Unión Mundial de los Educadores Católicos participa al dolor del pueblo francés por los terribles atentados que han traido muerte y distrucción en Paris.
El UMEC condemna toda forma de violencia y reza por las víctimas del atentado, y desea a todos los heridos que se recuperen pronto.
Invitamos a los profesores/educadores y a las instituciones a reforzar su compromiso para una educación al respecto, y a una convivencia en nombre de la paz, a la cooperación y a la paz, para prevenir el fundamentalismo y la violencia, y construir un mundo en el que dominen justicia y paz.

L’UMEC-WUCT participe à la  douleur  des Français pour les événements terribles  qui ont semé la destruction et la mort à Paris.
L’UMEC-WUCT désapprouve toute forme de violence aveugle et prie  pour les victimes.  Elle espère une guérison rapide pour les personnes blessées.
L’UMEC-WUCT invite les enseignants et les institutions éducatives à renforcer leur engagement pour une éducation de respect et de tolérance, à la coopération et à la paix,  afin de prévenir la violence et le fondamentalisme.

L'Unione Mondiale Insegnanti Cattolici (UMEC-WUCT) partecipa al dolore dei francesi per i terribili eventi che hanno apportato distruzione e morte a Parigi.
Condanna ogni forma di violenza e prega per le vittime della strage. Augura una pronta guarigione  ai feriti.
Invita gli insegnanti e le istituzioni educative a rafforzare il loro impegno per una educazione al rispetto e alla pacifica convivenza, alla cooperazione e alla pace, per prevenire il fondamentalismo e la violenza e costruire un mondo ove regnino giustizia e pace.

UMEC-WUCT neemt gemeend deel in de plotse, diepe rouw die  onze Franse medeburgers treft bij de aanslagen van 13 november te Parijs.
UMEC-WUCT keurt elke vorm van blind geweld af en vraagt u om mee de overleden slachtoffers te gedenken.  Zij hoopt op een vlug en volledig herstel van zo veel mogelijk gekwetsten.
UMEC-WUCT vraagt aan alle leerkrachten en instellingen waar enige vorm van  onderwijs wordt verstrekt om met een hernieuwd engagement mee te zorgen voor een opvoeding tot respect en verdraagzaamheid. Op die wijze kan men geweld en fundamentalisme trachten tegen te gaan.




14 november 2015 

venerdì 13 novembre 2015

WORLD CONGRESS: EDUCATING TODAY AND TOMORROW

Educating today and tomorrow: a renewing passion, fifty years after Vatican Council II on Christian education Vatican City, 13 November 2015 (VIS) - “Educating today and tomorrow: a renewing passion” is the title of the World Congress organised by the Congregation for Catholic Education to commemorate the 50th anniversary of “Gravissimum educationis”, the Vatican Council II Declaration on Christian education, and the 25th of “Ex corde Ecclesiae (Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities). The event will take place in Rome from 18 to 21 November.......



Educar hoy y mañana. Una pasión que se renueva, 50 años después de la Declaración del Concilio Vaticano II sobre la educación cristiana  Ciudad del Vaticano, 13 de noviembre 2015 (Vis).-''Educar hoy y mañana. Una pasión que se renueva " es el título del Congreso Mundial organizado por la Congregación para la Educación Católica para conmemorar el 50 aniversario de la ''Gravissimum educationis'' (Declaración del Concilio Vaticano II sobre la educación cristiana) y el 25 de ''Ex corde Ecclesiae'' (Constitución Apostólica sobre las Universidades Católicas) que tendrá lugar en Roma del 18 al 21 de noviembre


        Vatican II et l'éducation catholique


Cité du Vatican, 13 novembre 2015 (VIS). Eduquer aujourd'hui et demain, tel est le titre du Congrès mondial organisé du 18 au 21 novembre par la Congrégation pour l'éducation catholique pour le 50 anniversaire de la déclaration conciliaire Gravissimum Educationis et le 25 de la constitution apostolique Ex corde Ecclesiae. Cet événement a été présenté ce matin près la Salle de Presse par le Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, Préfet de la Congrégation pour l'éducation catholique, accompagné de Mgr.Angelo Vincenzo Zani, Secrétaire, et de M.Italo Fiorin, Directeur de projet près la LUMSA de Rome. Le Cardinal Versaldi a souligné que cette manifestation commémorative met en évidence le rôle de la Congrégation pour l'éducation catholique dans l'effort éducatif de l'Eglise: ''L'incipit du document conciliaire révèle l'extrême importance de l'éducation dans la vie humaine et pour le plus grand progrès social". 

giovedì 12 novembre 2015

National Catholic Education Association Leadership Summit in Atlanta, USA.

St Mary’s Academics Present at Leading International Leadership Summit
 on Catholic Education

   Two academics from St Mary’s University, Twickenham recently joined leading academics at the National Catholic Education Association Leadership Summit in Atlanta, USA.
   Head of the School of Education, Theology, and Leadership (ETL) Dr Maureen Glackin and Programme Director for MA Catholic School Leadership Dr John Lydon who is a member of the Executive of the World Union of Catholic Teachers (WUCT) joined the Summit, which focused on all features of the leadership and management of Catholic schools, colleges and Higher Education Institutions, concentrating particularly on all aspects of technological innovations to the significance of culture and charism.
    Dr Glackin and Dr Lydon’s presentation was created around a pioneering programme developed by them for the Kent Catholic School Partnership. Entitled Shepherding Talent, potential leaders identified by their schools are challenged to explore their vocation to lead in both Primary and Secondary school settings. Through workshops, the mission of the Catholic educator is elucidated alongside a consideration of personal disposition and values, inviting a critically reflective response to leadership.
    This interplay and its impact formed the focus of the presentation during which the notion that vocation and profession are both aspects of Christian discipleship constituted a permeating theme. The exploration of disposition and values proved to elicit a great deal of interest among delegates resulting in fruitful discussions with a range of academics and Diocesan leaders, referred to in the USA as Superintendents.
     Beyond the presentation, contacts were made with the heads of Catholic School Leadership programmes in several USA Universities including Creighton, St Louis, Fordham and Loyola Marymount Los Angeles. It is hoped that these will prove to be fruitful in the context of the development of the Centre for Research and Development in Catholic Education which is due to move to St Mary’s from the UCL Institute of Education.
     The Summit explored concepts that are particularly relevant to the work of ETL, including Professor Tim Cook’s  cultivating school charism and Dr Ron Nuzzi’s talk Strengthening the Spiritual Leadership Role of Diocesan School Leaders: Modelling and Measuring Catholic Identity which had resonances with the Section 48 framework of inspection for denominational schools in the England & Wales. Professor Cook lists Dr Lydon’s work on charism and school culture as one of his authoritative sources.The presentation by Sr John Mary Fleming OP, Executive Director of the Secretariat of Catholic Education was reassuring in that several of the challenges facing Catholic education in the USA replicate those in the UK including the spiritual formation of future Catholic leaders and teachers.
The keynote address of David Coleman, President and Chief Executive Officer, The College Board, created to expand access to Higher Education in the USA, was particularly significant for all involved in Religious Education. Referring to the distinctive and powerful role of religious institutions like St Mary’s Coleman spoke of the value of productive solitude and stillness, restful excellence and the reverent reading of shared texts. Coleman then went on to speak of the opportunity gap between rich and poor and the way in which his organisation endeavoured to address this. Ensuring that students claim the opportunities they have earned constituted the mantra of this part of his address, opportunities which would hopefully lead to a renewed commitment to the common good.
     Drs Glackin and Lydon came away from the summit empowered by the acknowledgement of the vibrancy of Shepherding Talent in the context of leadership formation and determined to develop further links with contact made with colleagues from the USA in order to contribute to the international outreach of St Mary’s.