by Paulo Luis Gabriel De Guzman and Kyra Cho
On the 2nd of October 2024, Lasallians from across the Lasallian East Asian District participated in the 2nd iteration of Lasallian Connect, hosted by Saint Joseph's Institution International in Singapore. This unique online gathering, held in celebration of International Lasallian Days for Peace (ILDP), allowed student leaders to come together to celebrate the wide range of initiatives and activities from their schools or institutions. Lasallian Connect served as a platform for these young leaders to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and foster a sense of unity across borders, where nearly 50 students, teachers and Brothers from Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan participated in this year’s call.
The discussions this year centred around the theme of ILDP this year, One La Salle: Our Pilgrimage Towards Peace, with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) providing the framework for these conversations. The call was divided into breakout rooms, with each group discussing one of the five SDG pillars: peace, prosperity, people, partnerships, and planet. In each room, students explored how their respective institutions embrace and embody Lasallian values from the lens of the pillar.
The discussions were lively and reflective of the strong Lasallian spirit. Students eagerly shared examples of how they and their schools contribute to the SDGs by integrating Lasallian values into projects focused on social justice, environmental protection, and community service. The breakout rooms provided a space for students to engage in more personal and detailed conversations, enabling them to dive deeper into the specific ways their schools work toward the SDG goals .In the "Peace" group for instance, students and brothers shared how their schools promote student wellbeing through programs designed to emphasise the importance of checking in on fellow students.
One of the highlights of the call was where students collaborated using a shared whiteboard to design artwork that captured the essence of their discussions. Each group presented their final piece, reflecting and learning from other groups.
As the call concluded, the energy of collaboration and shared purpose resonated among the participants, leaving them inspired to bring these discussions back to their schools and continue their work. For students in SJII, Lasallian connect is merely one of a number of opportunities held during the month of ILDP, with other initiatives including schoolwide weekly morning reflections on how Lasallians strive to achieve peace through the various pillars, and the sale of custom Lasallian T-shirts with funds being used to support school charities.
Due to the success of the event, the hope is to make Lasallian Connect a lasting tradition, held annually on the Wednesday of the second week of ILDP, ensuring students from across the region have a regular opportunity to exchange ideas, celebrate Lasallian values, and collaborate on a global level.
Lasallian Connect 2024 was more than just a virtual meeting - it was an opportunity to forge bonds between students across Asia and inspire collaboration. Through their conversations, students shared insights into how their schools contribute to the global Lasallian mission, highlighting the tangible ways in which Lasallian values are being acknowledged in schools. This sense of unity and common purpose reinforces the message that all Lasallians, despite their diverse backgrounds, are collectively contributing to a more peaceful world.
