The Catholic Leaders Latin American Academy is a nonprofit international project that works in collaboration with the Bishops of the Catholic Church of Latin-American countries and with educational institutions, mainly universities. Its mission is the leaders’ formation from a catholic view, especially from the principles of the Social Doctrine of the Church, in order to imbue the social, politic and economic fields with the Christian values. The Catholic Leaders Academy does not have a political position nor does it intend to promote one in particular, but is open to working with people of diverse visions, all the way from the Gospel and the Magisterium of the Church. Among its formative programs, there are the Catholic Leaders National Schools (generally, biannual courses) and the International Diplomas in Social Doctrine of the Church, in addition to holding other meetings between people of different political sensibilities. The formation is oriented to the highest level and structured based on conferences, training workshops and dialogues, where participants can share with leaders who have stood out for their testimony of Christian values in the current world; as well as in the development of concrete leadership projects according to the abilities and scopes of the participants with the aim of improving the reality of their environment.
Catholic Leaders Latin-American Academy
Contact
information
Office/person in charge:José Antonio Rosas Amor General Director - Foundation "Academia de Lideres Católicos”
Address:
Avenue Jaime Guzmán Errázuriz N° 3.300, Commune of Providencia, Santiago City, Chile
Email address:
contacto@liderescatolicos.cl
Website/social media:
What is it?
What is this initiative about?The Catholic Leaders Latin American Academy is a nonprofit international project that works in collaboration with the Bishops of the Catholic Church of Latin-American countries and with educational institutions, mainly universities. Its mission is the leaders’ formation from a catholic view, especially from the principles of the Social Doctrine of the Church, in order to imbue the social, politic and economic fields with the Christian values. The Catholic Leaders Academy does not have a political position nor does it intend to promote one in particular, but is open to working with people of diverse visions, all the way from the Gospel and the Magisterium of the Church. Among its formative programs, there are the Catholic Leaders National Schools (generally, biannual courses) and the International Diplomas in Social Doctrine of the Church, in addition to holding other meetings between people of different political sensibilities. The formation is oriented to the highest level and structured based on conferences, training workshops and dialogues, where participants can share with leaders who have stood out for their testimony of Christian values in the current world; as well as in the development of concrete leadership projects according to the abilities and scopes of the participants with the aim of improving the reality of their environment.
How does it help?
In what way does this initiative enhance the formation of the laity?The laity are called to build the Kingdom of God, not from the balconies or in the sacristies, but in the world, place of action proper to their particular vocation. These times are difficult for believers, so it is even more important that they have the knowledge and tools necessary to transform the world from the Gospel and discover that there are other people, other Christians, working for the same cause. The Catholic Leaders Academy seeks precisely to provide this knowledge and tools and help to share the experiences of others so that Christians who feel a vocation to public service have the adequate means to fulfill their own vocation.
Why is it important?
Why is this initiative important for the training and advancement of the laity in your country?The Catholic Leaders Academy is a Catholic project that has managed to remain in time and reach high school youth, university students and professionals, precisely because it is oriented primarily to strengthen the vocation of the laity: transform civil society into the God’s Love. It is not intended to teach catechesis, but to strengthen the future forgers of the Common Good: lay leaders.
How did it start
How was this initiative developed?This project was born in 2006 in Chile in response to what was called the “Penguin Movement”, which consisted of social claims by high school students. Thus, the Catholic Leaders Schools were born, aimed mainly at students with a vocation for leadership. These formative programs were successful and gradually began to expand to other dioceses in Chile. Finally, in 2015, the Foundation “Academy of Catholic Leaders” was founded by Cardinal Jorge Medina and José Antonio Rosas, political scientist, in close collaboration from the beginning with Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati, current chaplain of the Foundation. The Academy also had the support of three major universities in the country: the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, San Sebastian and Finis Terrae University; and, for a time, also the Technical Institute “Duoc UC”. The success of its International Diplomas of Social Doctrine of the Church allowed expanding the Academy’s programs to other Latin American countries, becoming the Catholic Leaders Latin American Academy in 2019.
Benefits
Does it benefit the laity on a national or local level?It depends on the formative program. For example, the Catholic Leaders Schools are implemented by diocese and considering local needs and requirements. In them, it is sought that students strengthen their vocation to service through leadership in the locality where they live and develop. These schools are held simultaneously so that they culminate, if circumstances permit, with a National Graduation where students can interact with other classmates from other dioceses and where they become aware of being part of something greater. They are invited in the same way to the political vocation, understood in a broad sense, and to look at the needs not only of their surroundings, but of the country where they live. Many students, in fact, have become political candidates and some have been elected.
Means and funding
Who funds the initiative? What is needed to launch this initiative?The Catholic Leaders Latin American Academy is a non-profit project that receives help many times from volunteers. In terms of administrative matters, the central office is supported by the Foundation “Academia de Líderes Católicos” whose holders are three Chilean universities: the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, San Sebastian University and Finis Terrae University. As for the programs, it depends. To be able to implement a School of Catholic Leaders, for example, you must have a coordinating team and a person in charge, as well as dependencies where the program can be carried out and also minimum materials. Other expenses should be studied according to the local reality, such as the transport of some exhibitors or the feeding of the students if necessary.
Learn more
Where can people learn more about this initiative?For more information, you can visit the web site www.liderescatolicos.cl or visit its pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Countries involved
Does this initiative exist in other countries?Yes, it does. Currently, the Catholic Leaders Latin American Academy exists in Chile, Uruguay, México, Colombia, Perú, Brazil and Costa Rica. However, there are other countries where the project will be launched soon.
How to start?
How can this initiative be implemented in other countries?To implement the initiative in any country, it is necessary to contact the Director General of the Foundation “Academia de Líderes Católicos”, José Antonio Rosas Amor (jrosas@liderescatolicos.cl). In any case, you must always have the approval or permission of the Bishop of each diocese where the program is implemented.