CLAYSS and its Uniservitate programme were present at GenFest 2024 in Aparecida (São Paulo, Brazil), where over 4,000 young people from more than 50 countries shared the desire for a more united world. This global event, organized every six years by Focolare’s interreligious movement, combines artistic expressions with reflections and testimonies from participants of different faiths, ethnicities and cultures. This year was the first time it was held on the American continent under the theme “Together to Care”.
Nieves Tapia, director and founder of CLAYSS, delivered the lecture “Changing education to change the world,” in which she shared the personal and professional experiences that helped her see solidarity service learning as a means for the inclusive education of the future. In her talk, Nieves encouraged the participants to engage in this transformative education, pointing out that by working as part of a network, everyone, even in their small way, can contribute to a significant change. And, quoting Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement, she asked: “Do you want to know? Study. Do you want to know more? Find yourself a good teacher. Do you want to know even more? Teach others what you have learnt”.
Tapia also spoke on a panel on education and communication that encouraged participants to rethink their practices and inspire each other to continue working together towards a better world.
Candelaria Ferrara, Uniservitate Hubs Coordinator, led the workshop “Developing projects for education and social transformation” together with Gabriela Di Lacio and Santiago Tognetti. As a collaboration between CLAYSS and the SOPHIA ALC University Institute, the activity took place in two meetings dealing with concepts, solidarity service learning experiences and initiative development according to different methodologies, especially the theory of change. Around 40 young people who spoke five different languages (Portuguese, English, French, Italian and Spanish) attended. Based on personal motivations, they concluded on the positive impact of networking, alongside working with and for others. “Just as we need solid foundations to build a bridge, to establish networking relationships, it is important to know who we are and why we relate to each other, and make it clear; authenticity is the best bridge for networking,” said Santiago Tognetti.
Candelaria Ferrara, Uniservitate Hubs Coordinator with Gabriela Di Lacio and Santiago Tognetti with workshop attendees
During the weekend, CLAYSS had its stand: a space to exchange experiences and discuss how to network and offer a solidarity service aligned with the profession or university education in each of the young people’s places.
The testimonies shared in the large-scale meetings touched hearts and invited people to take action, highlighting the importance of education and empathy to build peace in a highly polarized context. Nicolás, one of the young people who offers free classes to low-income people, said with conviction that “education is the key to opening the doors to a better future. In the same spirit, Guadalupe, who also volunteers to teach children new skills, affirmed: “To educate is to sow hope and build a bridge towards a brighter future”.
