World Union of Lasallian Former Students

The fourth Congress of the World Union of Lasallian Former Students (UMAEL) was held in Panama from October 24 to 28 and its slogan was "Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve – Solidarity through Education." There were 136 participants from 36 accredited delegations who came from 18 countries throughout the Lasallian world for this event.

The opening of the Congress was presided by His Excellency Rubén Arosemena, Vice-President and Minister of Education for the Republic of Panama, and by Brother Álvaro Rodríguez, Superior General, José Ramón Batiste, President of UMAEL, Brother Councillors Claude Reinhardt and Edgar Nicodem, the Brother Visitor of Central America Otto Armas, and by the President of the Association of former students of Panama, Reinaldo Morales.

We all were amazed by the different humanitarian and supportive projects in which former students from different parts of the world are engaged (Chile - Hope House; Miami - SJB La Salle educational center; Panama - San Miguel Febres schools- PROA PANAMA). We also heard about personal experiences of former students who are engaged in projects beneficial to society and there were presentations given by Associations (Buenos Aires, Benicarló, Puerto Cabello, Hong Kong, Bluefields) during the "La Salle in my life" section.

The panel on Vocations, coordinated by Brother Otto Armas, was both significant and moving. The panel was composed of a member of Signum Fidei, the parents of a Brother, two young volunteers from North Mexico, and a young Brother from Guatemala.

Brother Superior General provided an important message entitled, "ENTER TO LEARN, LEAVE TO SERVE" as he encouraged former students to focus on and work towards achieving the 8 challenges of the Millennium Declaration as we approach the year 2015.

José Ramón Batiste, President of UMAEL, gave a talk on the first work day of the conference. The talk was entitled: UMAEL, Present and Future. This talk served as a reference point for small group work.

Brother Claude Reinhardt spoke about the International Assembly and Brother Edgar Nicodem spoke on the 44th General Chapter. There was a high spirit of fraternity and a true sense of family during the Congress and the logistical organization by the Association of Lasallian Former Students of Panama was excellent.

A document entitled Looking At the Future, Associations of Former Students Today (2,50 MB) was presented and the first copy of it was presented to Brother Superior General.

We visited the Panama Canal and St. Miguel Febres Cordero Schol, Nuevo Tocumen, a project funded by PROA PANAMA where the first stone was placed by conference attendees for the expansion of the center.

A Eucharist celebration of thanksgiving was presided by the Nuncio of His Holiness at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Panama. Several former students who are priests concelebrated.

The General Assembly was held on the last day of the Congress and the Executive Committee presented reports on management, finance, and different topics concerning the running of UMAEL. Brother Claude Reinhardt, UMAEL advisor, offered thanks for the work of the Executive Committee whose mission had then concluded.
Finally, delegations with voting rights proceeded to the election of the new government team UMAEL for the period 2007 - 2011.

Elected as President of UMAEL was Sergio August Casas Martínez (Mexico) and members of the new Executive Committee included former students Alfred Meindl (Austria), Oscar Moreno (Spain), José Manuel Dorado (USA), and Reinaldo Morales (Panama). Brother Claude Reinhardt has been confirmed by Brother Superior General as the UMAEL advisor.

We are grateful to all the Federations and Associations, former students, Brothers and members of the Lasallian Family for their continuing support for UMAEL.