{"id":123995,"date":"2026-03-24T15:06:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T14:06:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/?p=123995"},"modified":"2026-03-24T16:00:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T15:00:19","slug":"relem-2026-conference-in-istanbul-towards-a-new-dynamic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/relem-2026-conference-in-istanbul-towards-a-new-dynamic\/","title":{"rendered":"RELEM 2026 Conference in Istanbul: towards a new dynamic"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"pdfprnt-buttons pdfprnt-buttons-post pdfprnt-top-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123995?print=pdf\" class=\"pdfprnt-button pdfprnt-button-pdf\" target=\"_blank\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/plugins\/pdf-print\/images\/pdf.png\" alt=\"image_pdf\" title=\"Download PDF\" \/><span class=\"pdfprnt-button-title pdfprnt-button-pdf-title\">PDF<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123995?print=print\" class=\"pdfprnt-button pdfprnt-button-print\" target=\"_blank\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/plugins\/pdf-print\/images\/print.png\" alt=\"image_print\" title=\"Print Content\" \/><span class=\"pdfprnt-button-title pdfprnt-button-print-title\">PRINT<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1248px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Regional Conference of RELEM (Lasallian Region of Europe and the Mediterranean), held at St Joseph\u2019s High School in Istanbul from 9 to 13 March, marked a historic turning point for our region. The decisions taken at this Conference set out an ambitious roadmap for the period 2026-2028, with the aim of strengthening the Institute\u2019s educational and fraternal mission, whilst adapting to current demographic and structural challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-custom17);--awb-font-size:22px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;\"><b>A bold restructuring: the challenge of a single District<\/b><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-124002\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_02-300x175.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"175\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_02-200x117.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_02-300x175.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_02-400x234.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_02-600x351.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_02-768x449.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_02-800x468.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_02-1200x702.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_02-1536x898.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_02.jpeg 1575w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>One of the most significant decisions of the Conference was the creation of a single District for the entire RELEM region. This choice aims to centralise governance whilst decentralising implementation in order to preserve local specificities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although this model is not easy to implement, it has received the unreserved support of Brother Armin Luistro, Superior General, confirming its alignment with the Institute\u2019s strategic directions. This choice of a single District would therefore render the need for grouping into Regions obsolete: it is a significant change. Why a single District?<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To ensure greater coherence by harmonising actions and resources for a more effective mission.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To put our necessary solidarity into practice. We wish to establish mechanisms for transferring resources \u2014 financial, human, etc. \u2014 to the most vulnerable sectors or to works deemed a priority, particularly with regard to the presence of the Brothers or the formation of lay partners.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The single District will also, in the long term, bring about administrative simplification by reducing fragmentation and optimising governance.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This transition will take effect from June 2028, a date chosen to align with the schedule for appointing representatives to the future General Chapter of 2029.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-2 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-custom17);--awb-font-size:22px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;\"><b>Governance and participation: a collaborative approach<\/b><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-124001\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_03-300x147.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"147\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_03-200x98.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_03-300x147.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_03-400x196.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_03-600x294.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_03-768x377.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_03-800x392.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_03-1200x589.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_03-1536x754.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_03-1800x883.jpeg 1800w, https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Asamblea-Estambul-26_03.jpeg 1806w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>The Conference marked the end of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/the-new-star-commission-starts-its-work-for-relem\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the StaR Commission (acronym for Strategic Alliances for RELEM)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which had hitherto supported the phase of studying and establishing initial collaborations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several speakers highlighted the excellence of the work it had carried out, but it is now time for the current Districts to become more involved in the process. It will be replaced by two new, more operational commissions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A commission to support the convergence process, tasked with driving the momentum for change and ensuring follow-up, particularly regarding the stages of consulting the brothers on the new Visitor, etc&#8230;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A technical working committee on the statutes of the current Districts, responsible for drafting the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ad experimentum <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">statutes of the future District. The complexity of our Region requires us to take into account countless legal and canonical factors. This group will be able to count on the collaboration of Brother Peter Ryan, Procurator General.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These two commissions should include members from the current Districts and be swiftly established by the Council of Visitors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-3 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-custom17);--awb-font-size:22px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;\"><b>Three interconnected educational networks<\/b><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Conference also approved the model of three educational networks within the District, based on cultures and languages, to facilitate exchanges between the works. Naturally, existing collaborations are set to be strengthened and to extend beyond the boundaries of these networks to create a missionary dynamic driven by the single District.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The relaunch of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/the-leavening-project\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cLeavening project\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should also enable the current Districts \u2014 and the future District \u2014 to be on a trajectory in line with the latest General Chapter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Conference addressed a number of other matters of concern, such as the presentation of the work carried out by the various Commissions operating in the Region. We were able to spend an afternoon visiting Istanbul and appreciate the exceptional welcome from the Community of the Lyc\u00e9e Saint Joseph in Kadik\u00f6y: this certainly helped to ensure the serenity of our discussions and the successful conclusion of our work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ultimately, this Conference laid the foundations for a profound reform, combining structural boldness with missionary commitment. The challenge now will be to bring this vision to fruition, ensuring that every participant \u2014 Brothers, lay people, young people \u2014 finds their place within this new dynamic. As Brother Armin emphasised, the aim is to \u201cbecome a more fraternal Institute on the peripheries\u201d, an objective that resonates with the spirit of the founder, and which also resonates with the spirit of prophetic boldness that has often inspired our Region.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;\"><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">* Article written by Br. Jo\u00ebl Palud, General Councilor. Photos: Br. Jo\u00ebl Palud.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":123993,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3367,3528],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-123995","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-relem-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123995","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=123995"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123995\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":124006,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123995\/revisions\/124006"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/123993"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=123995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=123995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=123995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}