For 2011, the Philippines was chosen to host the 5th UMAEL Congress. This will happen on Oct. 26-30, 2011. What a great way to celebrate our centennial by having alumni from different parts of the world including alumni from the different associations of Philippines gather together in one event.
Part of the UMAEL world congress will be held at DLSZ on the third day of the congress. The Lasallian Excellence Awards night will also be held at DLSZ on October 28, 2011 as part of UMAEL.
The kickoff video is shown after the break.
UMAEL is an international organization that is connected to the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. It’s members are federation and associations of Lasallian former students. There are over 80 countries with Lasallian Schools which means that there exists over 40 established Lasallian Alumni Associations in the world.
UMAEL was officially constituted in December 1994 in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) during the 1st UMAEL Congress. Together with other Lasallians from the Philippines, we were fortunate and privileged to have been part of this great gathering of alumni. Previously it had existed as the World Confederation of Lasallian Former Students founded in Brussels in 1958.
It’s mission is simple: To unite all federations and associations in the world. To promote a real sense of belonging, camaraderie and availability to support the mission of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, so that thanks to the values transmitted in the Lasallian schools, a society of justice and solidarity might be built.
It’s vision is to be an international body with it’s own activities and resources, associated with the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, at the service of all federations and associations of Lasallian Former Students in the world.
The members of UMAEL meet every 4 years to report on it’s accomplishments and challenges, exchange ideas, interact and eventually elects its executive committee. After Spain, the reunion was held in Rome, Mexico and Panama. About 50 delegates from all over world would attend the conference with another 100 or more participants from the host country.
(text from Luigi Lacson and Henry Atayde)