4 March 2012

Greetings as we enter the second week of Lent.

IALU News……………. 26 Feb – 1st March 2012. (Thanks to Bro Thomas Lavin)

The Philippines Centennial celebrations continued in the final week of February 2012,with the hosting of the tenth assembly of the International Association of Lasallian Universities (IALU). Presidents, Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Senior Administrators representing more than 70 Lasallian Centres of Higher Education from around the world gathered for this triennial eventin the Hotel Intercontinental , Manila under the banner“ENCUENTROX “

The theme of the assembly was“Lasallian Higher Education in a Knowledge Society: Challenges and Opportunities from a Comprehensive and Sustainable Human Development Approach”Bro Alvaro, Superior General, in his opening keynote address reminded our Universities that they are ‘communities of Lasallian evangelical memory” who must transform themselves into “Communities of Hope” in the service of the young.Bro Armin Luistro, Secretary, Department of Education, Philippines, gave a wide ranging address on the ‘divides’ in the world today and the challenges they pose for Lasallian Higher Education.A proposal in the form of a ‘concept paper’ presented by Bro Craig Franz to found a Lasallian International University in our Mother House in Rome generated a great deal of interest.Afternoons were devoted to sharing on Lasallian research policy,internationalization,mobility and exchange, cooperation for development. The evenings were a feast of delicious food and wonderful entertainment hosted by DLSU-M, College of St Benilde, and DLSU-D in succession and all superbly co-ordinated by Bro Gus Boquer and his team.

In the final business session, new statutes were adopted establishing IALU as a legal entityand Bro. Carlos Gomez,was re-elected President of IALU. The Universidad De La Salle Bogota, Colombia, was chosen as the venue for the next Assembly, Encuentro XI , to be held in 2015.

Bro Alvaro’s keynote address is attached with this PARCVIEW

Director of Lasallian Services Visits LEAD Provincilate: John Pill has beenin Hong Kong over the weekend where he met with the Bro Visitor and Bro Auxiliary Visitor of LEAD to determine how he can respond to some needs in the District which are in keeping with his job description. Over the past week he has also been in contact with Visitors/Presidents of the Region to invite delegates officially to the International Assembly 2013. Copies of the correspondence have been sent to Visitors/President.

La Salle/Goldsmiths Partnership Celebration Singapore: La Salle College of the Arts and Goldsmiths University of London have come together to create a powerful partnership to offer a full range of public-funded art degrees for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents. Both institutions are at the forefront of arts education in Asia and Europe. Goldsmiths has validated eighteen of La Salle’s degree programmes. Brothers Paul Ho (Sector Leader), John Pill and David Hawke attended the signing celebration where Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was Guest-of-Honour. In opening his address, the Prime Minister recalled a visit he made to the Goodman Road Campus of La Salle where the late Bro Joseph McNally showed him around “with great energy”.One felt very proud to witness the Prime Minister’s remarks not only about Bro Joseph but also about the contribution that La Salle makes to the arts in Singapore and internationally.

Contributions to PARC: Bro Ambrose will send invoices to each District/Delegation in keeping with the decision at PARC 35.

Schedules:David, 5-22 March, ANZPNG (Pakistan in April); John, 12-15 March, Manila, LLI preparatory meetings.

Fraternal greetings

David Hawke FSC
General Councillor PARC