SHARE WITH GENTLENESS - DOUCEUR - MANSEDUMBRE

World Communications 

Day 2025

 theme calls for gentleness

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Pope Francis chooses the theme for World Communications Day 2025 that calls on people to "share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts", communication that creates the condition for dialogue.

By Vatican News

 The Holy See Press Office released the theme Pope Francis has chosen for the Church's 59th World Communications Day in 2025, Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts (cf. 1Pt 3:15-16).

 The introductory text accompanying the theme notes that the topic aims to bring attention to the fact that in today's world, "too often communication is violent, aimed at striking and not at establishing the conditions for dialogue." This calls for efforts "to disarm communication, to cleanse it of aggression."

 The theme description notes that the prevailing standard seems to be that of competition, opposition, and domination as can be seen in television talk shows to verbal wars on social media. It adds that for Christians, "hope is a person, and He is Christ." And this hope is tied to community, since "when we speak of Christian hope we cannot disregard a community that lives the message of Jesus in such a credible way as to give a glimpse of the hope that it brings, and is capable of communicating the hope of Christ with deeds and words even today."

 World Communications Day is usually celebrated on the Sunday before Pentecost. Pope Paul VI established the Day in 1967 in the wake of the Second Vatican Council as an annual celebration that encourages reflecting on the opportunities and challenges that the media offer and how the Church can better communicate the Gospel message.

Journée mondiale des communications sociales 2025 : thème de la douceur

 Le pape François choisit le thème de la Journée mondiale des communications sociales 2025 qui invite les gens à « partager avec douceur l'espérance qui est dans vos cœurs », une communication qui crée les conditions du dialogue.

Par Vatican News

 Le Bureau de presse du Saint-Siège a publié le thème choisi par le pape François pour la 59e Journée mondiale des communications sociales de l'Église en 2025 : « Partagez avec douceur l'espérance qui est dans vos cœurs » (cf. 1P 3, 15-16).

 Le texte d'introduction accompagnant le thème note que le sujet vise à attirer l'attention sur le fait que dans le monde d'aujourd'hui, « trop souvent la communication est violente, visant à frapper et non à créer les conditions du dialogue ». Cela appelle à des efforts « pour désarmer la communication, pour la purifier de l'agression ».

 La description du thème note que la norme dominante semble être celle de la compétition, de l'opposition et de la domination comme on peut le voir dans les talk-shows télévisés et les guerres verbales sur les réseaux sociaux. Elle ajoute que pour les chrétiens, « l’espérance est une personne, et c’est le Christ ». Et cette espérance est liée à la communauté, car « quand nous parlons d’espérance chrétienne, nous ne pouvons pas ignorer une communauté qui vit le message de Jésus de manière suffisamment crédible pour laisser entrevoir l’espérance qu’il apporte, et qui est capable de communiquer l’espérance du Christ par des actes et des paroles, même aujourd’hui ».

 La Journée mondiale des communications sociales est généralement célébrée le dimanche précédant la Pentecôte. Le pape Paul VI a institué cette Journée en 1967, à la suite du Concile Vatican II, comme une célébration annuelle qui encourage à réfléchir aux opportunités et aux défis que les médias offrent et à la manière dont l’Église peut mieux communiquer le message de l’Évangile.

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El tema de la Jornada Mundial de las Comunicaciones Sociales 2025 pide la mansedumbre

El Papa Francisco ha elegido el tema de la Jornada Mundial de las Comunicaciones Sociales 2025 que invita a las personas a "compartir con mansedumbre la esperanza que hay en sus corazones", una comunicación que crea las condiciones para el diálogo.

Por Vatican News

La Oficina de Prensa de la Santa Sede ha publicado el tema que el Papa Francisco ha elegido para la 59ª Jornada Mundial de las Comunicaciones Sociales de la Iglesia en 2025: Compartan con mansedumbre la esperanza que hay en sus corazones (cf. 1 P 3,15-16).

El texto introductorio que acompaña al tema señala que el tema pretende llamar la atención sobre el hecho de que en el mundo de hoy, "demasiado a menudo la comunicación es violenta, destinada a golpear y no a crear las condiciones para el diálogo". Esto requiere esfuerzos "para desarmar la comunicación, para limpiarla de agresiones".

La descripción del tema señala que el patrón predominante parece ser el de la competencia, la oposición y la dominación, como se puede ver en los programas de entrevistas de televisión y en las guerras verbales en las redes sociales. Añade que para los cristianos, "la esperanza es una persona, y es Cristo". Y esta esperanza está ligada a la comunidad, ya que "cuando hablamos de esperanza cristiana no podemos prescindir de una comunidad que viva el mensaje de Jesús de modo tan creíble que deje entrever la esperanza que trae consigo, y sea capaz de comunicar la esperanza de Cristo con hechos y palabras también hoy".

La Jornada Mundial de las Comunicaciones Sociales se celebra habitualmente el domingo anterior a Pentecostés. El Papa Pablo VI instituyó la Jornada en 1967, tras el Concilio Vaticano II, como una celebración anual que invita a reflexionar sobre las oportunidades y los desafíos que ofrecen los medios de comunicación y sobre cómo la Iglesia puede comunicar mejor el mensaje evangélico.

LA INVERSIòN EN EDUCACIòN

 Gobiernos de América Latina 

y el Caribe, 

junto a la cooperación

 internacional, 

urgen aumentar

la inversión en educación

República Dominicana, Chile y organismos multilaterales destacan la educación como una inversión catalizadora para el futuro sostenible de la región

English version

En el marco del 79º periodo de sesiones de la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas, y de la Cumbre del Futuro, los gobiernos de la República Dominicana y Chile, junto a organismos multilaterales, hacen un llamado urgente para aumentar el financiamiento dedicado a la educación en América Latina y el Caribe.

El llamado a la acción, apoyado por UNICEF, UNESCO, CEPAL, el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID), el Banco Mundial, el Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina y el Caribe (CAF), la Organización de Estados Iberoamericanos (OEI), la Campaña Latinoamericana por el Derecho a la Educación (CLADE), y la Fundación Varkey, exhorta a invertir ahora para que los países alcancen el Objetivo de Desarrollo Sostenible 4 que busca garantizar una educación inclusiva, equitativa y de calidad.

“La educación es el motor del desarrollo y la clave para transformar nuestras sociedades; por eso, en la República Dominicana estamos decididos a convertir las escuelas en el centro del desarrollo y de las políticas públicas, donde se forja el futuro de nuestra nación", dijo Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona, presidente de la República Dominicana. “Invitamos a todos los sectores de la sociedad a sumarse a este esfuerzo. Es un compromiso que debemos asumir juntos para asegurar que la educación sea, en esencia, el pilar del desarrollo equitativo y sostenible de nuestra región”. 

Por su parte, Nicolás Cataldo, ministro de Educación de Chile, expresó “Como copresidentes del Comité Directivo de Alto Nivel del ODS 4, nos parece fundamental participar e impulsar instancias como estas para amplificar las decisiones tomadas a nivel global y regional en materia educativa. Reflexionar sobre las condiciones habilitantes para los procesos educativos, y, sobre todo, el financiamiento sostenible, es crucial para pasar del compromiso a la acción y, con ello, materializar el cumplimiento de las metas del ODS 4”.

 En América Latina y el Caribe, el 75 por ciento de estudiantes en la región no logran las competencias básicas en matemáticas y el 50 por ciento en lectura. El limitado cumplimiento del derecho a la educación en la región se ha profundizado en los últimos años debido a las crisis prolongadas, el impacto de múltiples emergencias, incluyendo la pandemia de COVID-19, y las desigualdades persistentes. 

 "Si ustedes quieren éxito económico, si ustedes quieren puestos de trabajo, crecimiento e inversiones, deben garantizar que el sistema educativo realmente funcione. No hay otra manera, en este momento", dijo el economista Jeffrey Sachs.

 Aunque los países han hecho notables esfuerzos para alcanzar el mínimo de financiamiento acordado en educación, al menos el 4 por ciento del PIB y el 15 por ciento del gasto público total, la sostenibilidad del financiamiento sigue siendo un desafío y la región se queda atrás. Hoy, en promedio, los países de la Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económico (OCDE) invierten por estudiante cerca de cinco veces más que el promedio de América Latina y el Caribe.

Es por ello que, República Dominicana y Chile, junto a la coalición de organismos multilaterales, instan a todos los gobiernos de la región, a la cooperación internacional, a la sociedad civil y al sector privado a asegurar las condiciones habilitantes y el financiamiento adecuado y sostenible en la educación, con equidad y eficiencia. En particular:

1.     Aumentar la inversión pública en la educación, priorizando la asignación de recursos en áreas donde la evidencia muestra mayores retornos y para estudiantes en situación de mayor vulnerabilidad.

2.     Potenciar las estrategias de financiamiento sostenible para la educación, aumentando la movilización de recursos para la educación a través de instrumentos como las políticas fiscales progresivas. Además, complementar estos esfuerzos con medidas innovadoras como el fondo multiplicador del Global Partnership for Education (GPE), los canjes de deuda, el financiamiento mixto, entre otras.

3.     Incrementar la proporción de ayuda oficial al desarrollo destinada a la educación, fomentando inversiones a largo plazo en los sistemas de educación pública.

4.     Fortalecer los sistemas de gestión e información que permitan planificar las inversiones y monitorear el impacto de la financiación en la educación, asegurando que sea suficiente, equitativa, eficaz, eficiente y transparente. 

 

Lea la nota de prensa completa en nuestra web

English version

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PILGRIMS OF HOPE FOR THE MISSION

 

WYD message: Hope in the Lord and you will not grow weary

Pope Francis releases his message for the 39th World Youth Day,

 and encourages young people to embrace life's challenges 

with hope and perseverance.

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By Francesca Merlo

 Pope Francis has addressed a message to young people around the world for the 39th World Youth Day. The message, entitled “Those who hope in the Lord will run and not be weary,” centres on the theme of hope and endurance, drawing inspiration from the words of the prophet Isaiah.

 In his message, Pope Francis encouraged young people to see life as a pilgrimage, a quest for happiness that is admittedly also tiring. It is precisely in this journey that hope must shine brightest, said the Pope.

 Those who hope in the Lord do not tire

In light of some of the difficulties young people face, Pope Francis encouraged them to persevere. He emphasised that hope is not simply a passive feeling but an active force, one that allows us to "press forward, for it is a gift received from God Himself."

 Pope Francis also addressed the fatigue that can come with life’s struggles. He noted that this weariness is common to all who embark on meaningful journeys and that the solution to such tiredness is not found in resting but in “becoming pilgrims of hope.”

 In his message, the Pope invited the young people to embrace life fully, warning against the stagnation, where people "stand still with no desire to move.”

 He emphasised how this apathy can often lead to a paralysing sense of futility. “I prefer the tiredness of those who are moving forward, not the ennui of those who stand still,” the Pope said.

 Eucharist is the highway to Heaven

The Pope went on to compare young people’s journey to the Biblical story of Israel’s journey through the desert.

 He reassured them that even in moments of crisis and despair, God does not abandon His people. Instead, like a loving Father, He nourishes them with His presence, just as He provided manna to the Israelites in the desert.

 In light of this, the Pope urged the young people to rediscover the profound gift of the sacrament of the Euchraist, by reminding them that "the Eucharist is the highway to heaven.”

 Not tourists but pilgrims

Looking towards the Jubilee of 2025, Pope Francis expressed his hope that the upcoming celebration would be an opportunity for young people to deepen their relationship with God and to experience His mercy and love.

 He extended an invitation to all, saying: "Do not set out as mere tourists, but as true pilgrims," reminding them that the journey towards the Jubilee is not only a physical one but also a spiritual one.

 Bringing his message to a close, Pope Francis encouraged the young people to be brave.

 “Take courage,” he said, before assuring them of his prayers and entrusting their journey to the Blessed Virgin Mary. With her example, he concluded, young people can “persevere in their journey as pilgrims of hope and love.”

 

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS

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ASSOCIATION, EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP

 

“Education and Leadership:

 Keys to Good Governance,

 Hope and Joy”

 

 

-        by  Giovanni Perrone*

The various and serious problems that are troubling the whole world and the various nations highlight the need to reflect on our way of educating, acting and relating to ourselves and the whole world.

Pope Francis insistently urges us to change our lifestyle and rediscover the values of the Gospel, but his enlightened words are often unheard or overwhelmed by people's arrogance and the crazy whirlwind of events.

Here are some simple reflections:

-          Educating is a journey, with and for others; a path that enriches us more every day. It is a journey of discovery, of reflection, of commitment to making ourselves new people. Jesus' journey with the apostles teaches us a lot about this. Unfortunately, for many, education is a self-referential, closed-off and arrogant path. Educating is learning to spread your wings to fly, to conquer new horizons. We are, therefore, invited to rethink educational paths, training paths for educators, the relationships that each path offers to the values and necessary knowledge and skills.

-          Leadership is the art of directing. Direction presupposes the presence of values, the presence of a goal, the art of knowing how to orient yourself and knowing how to orient yourself. Values, authority, responsibility, competence, relationships, resourcefulness, foresight and service are the cornerstones of leadership. The true leader values and promotes, not celebrates himself. He doesn't look for medals to enrich his CV or excel. The power-service of the free leader does not enslave! Even in this case the Gospel has much to teach us.

-          The figure of a good leader favors and guarantees good governance, at the service of everyone to build the common good.

-          Good governance is the art of building the common good. It it is, in fact, committed to helping everyone, even the most marginalized, to live better, with commitment and enthusiasm, to be happy. Good governance values hope, not an illusory hope, but a hope-virtue that supports and orients, even in difficult or complex moments. In fact, you cannot lead and educate if you are not witnesses of true hope and full of enthusiasm.

-          “ The theme of happiness takes us back to the heart of the Gospel , which is the announcement of joy and the path to true happiness, peace, justice and love. The path to happiness is not cheap well-being or a guarantee of not having problems! On the contrary! It's a harsh word because it hurts pride and frees us from defenses, it asks us to get involved and makes us face our fears [1]. "

-          “ Joy is the sign of the Christian …It is necessarily expressed in the relationship with the world, with others, with God…. The Beatitudes lead to joy, always. They are the path to achieving joy [2]. "

-          Professional associations, national and international, such as our Union, can be favorable and important environments for renewing the quality of education. However, they must have the courage to regenerate themselves to demonstrate commitment and vitality, at the service of all. They must be willing and able to bear witness to research and service; not the self-referential appear.

-          “Your task (as a professional association), in this sense, is to help teachers keep alive the desire to grow together with their students, to find the most effective ways to transmit the joy of knowledge, the virtue of hope and the desire for truth…. Don't let yourselves be robbed of hope, because this strength is a grace, a gift from God that carries us forward looking at the Sky [3]. "

-           

* UMEC-WUCT Special Advisor

---

[1]Cardinal Zuppi, CEI president, 25 August 2024

[2]Pope Francis

[3]Pope Francis, UMEC-WUCT General Assembly, November 2022

ETHICS, EDUCATION and LEADERSHIP

 

Keys 

to Good Governance,

 Hope and Joy

 

-       +Vincent Dollmann*

-        

Among the gospels, that of Saint Matthew pays particular attention to the organization and life of Christian communities and highlights the teaching of Jesus for those who exercise ecclesial responsibilities. The translations notably give chapter 18 the title of “ecclesiastical discourse” whose teaching can relate to social life and leadership. Jesus speaks of “brother” to designate Christians but the universal perspective of his speech makes it possible to extend the attribution of every man. The term "brother" has both theological and ethical meaning. In use on theological level, the term is linked to the central revelation of Jesus, that of a Father God. Christ looks at persons in their connection to God who willed them and who loves them in a unique and personal way.

At the ethical level, "brother" underlines the requirement of a relational quality based on the revelation of a Father God. Jesus concludes the parable of the lost sheep thus: “In the same way, it is not desired by my Father who is in heaven that even one of these little ones should be lost" (Mt. 18:14).

This recognition of the other as a brother leads us to exercise responsibilities in a dynamic of service. A servant is first characterized by the link to a master. For us, it is about God who does not seek to keep us in servile submission, but who wants to share with us his life of love and gift. Thus, one of the hymns of the breviary in French proclaims: "Serving God, makes man free like this" (Office of Readings, Thursday of Week11)

Jesus introduces his speech with the example of the child where humility he invites to imitate. He speaks of "humbling oneself" (Mt. 18:14); the expression designates an attitude of total trust and abandonment in God, like himself, lived it in his abasement until the cross to save us (Cf Phil 2,8). Jesus thus demonstrated that God did not exercise his authority by crushing or imposing Himself, but by elevating. This is the meaning of the Feast of the Glorious Cross celebrated on September 14. For us, to live according to the humility of Jesus is to let God and our neighbor reveal themselves to me; it is letting God be our creator and our savior and It is letting our neighbor, big or small, rich or poor, be our traveling companion.

In this teaching in chapter 18, Jesus will thus indicate two criteria for the exercise of responsibility: attention to the little ones and respect for each person.

Attention to the little ones is underlined by the warning of the scandal of which they can be victims (Mt. 18,4.14). The little ones whom Jesus speaks of are in fact the disciples exposed to the danger of false prophets. The scandal then constructs/manipulates the teachings and attitudes of those who are attentive to their faith.

We can understand in this teaching call to refuse elitism and pay attention to all forms of intellectual development, speculative ang practical.  A leader of the Church, like all other human institution, must ensure total integration. This requirement covers concern for the small abandoned or marginalized persons, It is the universal guarantor because he who is attends to the lowly and the poor knows how to be attentive to every man.

Attention to the little ones broadens in the Gospel to unconditional respect for the human person. Jesus makes this the measures of the institutional functioning of the Church like any human community. By relying on the parable of the merciless servant which constitutes the conclusion of the discourse (Mt. 18: 21-35), we can develop a real pedagogy of leadership. It's about learning to always start by seeing the positive in others, then authenticating it and valuing it as a gift from God. It is about learning to always start by seeing the positive in others, then authenticating it and valuing it as a gift from God. And the final step consists of welcoming the gift perceived in the neighbor, as a gift which is also for me, which can enrich me and enrich the whole group.

By relying on the teaching of Jesus, we are always led to verify the foundation of our thinking and our action. Jesus not only gives us the keys to give meaning to our life; He is the key that guarantees us the fruitfulness of life in the service of God and our neighbor. May He support us in reflection and initiatives concerning education and leadership.

*Archbishop of Cambrai – Umec-Wuct Ecclesiastical Assistant

WORLD TEACHERS' DAY 2024

 

UNESCO - WORLD TEACHERS' DAY

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The traditional World Teachers' Day, promoted by UNESCO, will be celebrated on October 4th.

This year's theme is: “ EMPOWERING TEACHERS' VOICES. TOWARDS A NEW SOCIAL CONTRACT FOR EDUCATION”.

Teachers have a fundamental role in the renewal of education: a transformation that makes education always current, alive and fruitful; capable of responding to the numerous educational challenges of today and tomorrow. However, the voice of educators is not always listened to by political decision-makers and the society in which they operate. The work of those who educate and instruct is not always adequately recognized and valued.

It is necessary to promote social dialogue between teachers and all educators with politicians, families, institutions and other social realities.

What are the major educational challenges today? Where is education going? How can we improve dialogue and participation? What are the best practices? ….

We propose to organize initiatives, at international, national and local level, to discuss these issues. We will be happy to receive the programs of the initiatives, copies of the documents developed and the story of good practices.

UNESCO is organizing a specific initiative in Paris. You can participate in person or virtually. For information:

https://www.unesco.org/fr/articles/journee-mondiale-des-enseignants-2024-et-huitieme-edition-de-la-remise-du-prix-unesco-hamdan-pour-le

The additional information is regularly added to the official page of the World Journal of UNESCO scholars.

Page official de la Journée mondo des enseignants de l'UNESCO

WORLD TEACHERS' DAY

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