Report of the commission on structures of animation and accompaniment
By Br. Bernard Collignon

Over the years the forms of association between the Brothers and partners have developed greatly and have sometimes followed different paths. The lay person, from being simply an assistant, has become co-worker, then partner and now in some places associate. Great changes in attitude have taken place concerning shared mission, as much among Brothers as among our lay partners.

The forms of this association vary greatly from one country to another, and everywhere there are significant changes going on. While the District is called upon more and more to become the reference framework for all these experiments, and to be the forum for offering discernment about them, it is important that the Institute allow itself a period of freedom and inventiveness to create and accompany these different forms of association that are emerging all over the world.

The General Chapter proposes that each District, while safeguarding the identity of the Brother, should leave to lay people the possibility of developing new types of association and commitment with the Brothers, in the service of the educational mission of evangelisation. In committing themselves within such forms of association, lay people live out their baptismal vocation and respond to their mission and to the Lasallian charism.

The General Assembly accepted three recommendations concerning (1) the reinforcement and accompaniment of associations composed of Brothers and associates already in existence; (2) the necessity for a sharing of experiences at the Institute level; and (3) the commitment of the Brothers and associates to the service of young people in places of poverty.

Report of the commission on the government of the Institute.
By Br. Bernard Collignon

The work of this commission on the government of the Institute was mostly centred on organisation. They noted that in many places associates play an important role in pursuing the Lasallian mission, and that here and there, they have become role-players in this mission, with voting rights.

We now have to take this reality into account while respecting the identity of each: Brothers are not lay people, and lay people are not Brothers. We must not then indiscriminately mix structures which are proper to the Brothers, such as Chapters and Councils, with those whose aim is to permit the carrying out of Lasallian mission.

The General Assembly accepted four recommendations: (1) that lay people be more fully involved in Lasallian mission by having them take part, with deliberative vote, in structures that are responsible for mission and Lasallian works. (2) These structures remain under the authority of the Brother Visitor and his council but are autonomous.

At the level of the congregation, the commission proposed (3) the creation of a permanent secretariat for Lasallian mission, composed of Brothers and their associates, which could (4) convene international meetings of those associated for this mission for a sharing of experiences and to make recommendations to the congregation.

Report of the commission on association for the educational service of the poor.
By Br. Valerio López Astrain

Since the 41st General Chapter, the formation offered our partners has broadened their expectations of being something more than simply collaborators. Many wish to share in the spiritual heritage of the Institute and have a more defined place in the Lasallian Mission.

This development has obliged Capitulants and Consultants to examine the current reality of our international situation and to become clear about some guidelines for the future, to determine who today is associated with the Lasallian mission of human and Christian education and how it happens.

Some of our partners feel called to a deeper participation in the Lasallian charism and spirituality. Some of the diverse kinds of participation are: a vocation lived in reference to the charism of De la Salle, a life based on faith, an experience of community relationship or at least one that is fraternal, a mission associated with service to the poor.

With this background, the General Assembly accepted four recommendations from the Commission. These dealt with (1) Regions, Districts, Sub-districts and Delegations developing forms of association with the Brothers, (2) their being an international meeting before the next Chapter that looks at the process of Association, (3) ways of living the Lasallian charism among teachers of other religions and (4) the continuance of the Institute's collaboration with autonomous Institutes who share the Lasallian Mission.


Commission Number 2: Educational Service of the poor.
By Br. Valerio López Astrain

The commission observed that from the foundation of the Institute it has defined itself as being called by God to the educational service of the poor. The return to the poor as a characteristic sign of our Institute is something that is desirable but not easily achieved. A discrepancy exists between what we profess and what we do. It is an ongoing tension and it will not be easy to eliminate.

The option for the poor also effects lay people who are involved in our Mission. It is our responsibility to make them aware of this option realizing our different styles of life.

The General Assembly accepted four recommendations from the Commission dealing with (1) Districts evaluating their apostolates concerning their educational service of the poor, (2) communities examining their closeness to and their presence among the poor, (3) Districts developing plans of awareness and formation regarding new forms of poverty among the young and (4) the strengthening of relations and collaborative efforts with organisations that defend the poor.