French Republic Liberty, Equality, Fraternity Human Rights Prize awarded to St. Joseph’s Development Trust (SJDT), India: St. Joseph’s Development Trust has been awarded a Medal and recognition for the eradication of Child Labor in India for the year 2005 by the French Government. The Human Rights Prize, awarded annually by the Commission Nationale Consultative des Droits de l'Homme (National Advisory Commission on Human Rights), distinguishes field work and projects connected with the practical defense and furtherance of human rights, in the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This award was presented at the French Consulate at New Delhi on December 12, 2005. I take this opportunity to congratulate Br. Sebastian, FSC, and the Partners who are engaged with him in SJDT Lasallian mission on the receipt of this prestigious award. Br. Seba, you have brought laurels to the Brothers in India. Congratulations.
^{(Br. John Fernando FSC)}

The European Lasallian Commission for Education (CLEE ) met from November 24th-27th 2005 in Vienna: The annual CLEE meeting in Strebersdorf, Vienna, was the last in a series of four which discussed challenges and responsibilities for the European Lasallian network of schools. The ultimate goal was to provide the International Institute with an instrument to re-study the origins and the fundamental aspects of our Lasallian inspiration considering contemporary needs and contemporary contexts.

This meeting was organized under the title: “The quality of human existence: visions on life, religions, and ethics. Religious education in the schools: evangelisation, catechesis and/or religious culture?”

A number of conferences focused on diverse aspects of this issue. The contribution of Professor P.M. Zulehner, deacon of the theological faculty of Vienna University, was particularly appreciated. He introduced several facets of de-Christianization and its countermovement: de-secularization or re-spiritualization. He showed that spiritualization and secularization are in continuous combat while they at the same time have a profound influence on each other by growing ever nearer to each other.

The Spanish theologian Secundino Movilla investigated if the “return” of religion should be considered as a probability rather than as a utopia, and Br. Flavio Pajer shared his ideas with us on the destiny of religious education from a European and pluralist point of view.

Small groups of reflection offered ample opportunities to the participants to compare their impressions with those of others. The different backgrounds and nationalities of the participants formed no obstacle to an open mind for the reality of a multicultural society. Everybody came to realize that the evolution of the teaching of religion in a European context is no easy challenge, notably because not everyone is prepared to take responsibility in this matter.

We believe we are confronted with three fundamental questions: (1) What kind of teachers do young people need in order to become strong personalities who can stand up for their convictions? (2) How can we go into dialogue with young people without confusing them? (3) How can we work successfully with non-Christians in our Catholic schools?

Br. Herman Lombaerts will write a synthesis in which the conclusions of the CLEE-meetings of the last four years are summarized and commented. This text will be used as the official report of CLEE to the next General Chapter. It will also serve as the starting point for an elaboration on a vision for the future of the European region within the International Institute.
^{(Geert Mortier)}

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