BIS Mumbai
BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE #3157
SCHOOL VALUE EDUCATION COORDINATORS’ FORUM 2012 – MUMBAI
Fr. Glenford Lowe sdb.
MATUNGA-MUMBAI, OCTOBER 05, 2012: The annual Value Education Coordinators’ Forum for the Archdiocese of Mumbai was organized by Archdiocesan Value 
Education Centre (AVEC) on October 04, 2012 at Don Bosco Primary School Hall, Matunga. Two hundred and twenty Value Coordinators representing over hundred schools affiliated to the Archdiocesan Board of Education (ABE) participated in the Value Forum. Ten principals of schools also took part. The Forum centered on two relevant themes – ‘Peace’ and ‘Environment’, both dear to the heart of St. Francis of Assisi on whose feast day we assembled. Fr. Donald Fernandes, Principal of Don Bosco High School and Junior College and Director of Don Bosco College, Yerwada gave a fitting keynote address. He affirmed, “Values are not taught but caught by the young through the people who surround them”.
AVEC Coordinator, Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes briefed the gathering on the progress made by AVEC in achieving its targets and objectives during the last triennium 2009-2012. AVEC Resource person, Sr. Vera Almeida animated a very meaningful prayer service. Principal of Don Bosco – Matunga, Fr. Bosco D’Mello welcomed the august gathering to his school and considered it a privilege to host the annual Value Forum 2012. ‘Diamond Value mementos’ were presented to all the guests of honour.
President and Founder of the One Life Alliance (OLA), Mrs. Kia Scherr and survivor of the 26/11 Mumbai Attacks inspired one and all through her ‘tragic story’ now turned 
to being an instrument of Forgiveness, Peace, Love, Compassion. “Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does change the present. Forgiveness is a skill you can learn. It is a choice”, she kept challenging the listeners. One could sense sacredness, the ‘Jesus Difference’ in her life. “She truly is inspiring and we cannot but join hands in supporting her cause for Oneness and Sacredness of Life in our educational system”, remarked a young Teacher.
Educational Consultant and Principal of Sheth M.A. High School, Andheri, Ms. Sherly Paul through her very passionate and enthusiastic style, spoke of her life changing encounter with Kia Scherr. “My school is on the road to transformation because of her. I see a ‘Ray of Hope’ for my institution and we pledge to keep alive the values of the One Life Alliance. It is not a burden, a one-more-activity for the school. It is a program that envelopes Values into the lives of every teacher, student and member of the broader community”, sheaffirmed.
Asia Book House Education Publishers, Mr. Sanjiv Philips presented their ‘Road Map to Good Living’ a Value Education Book Std I-X series for schools. Asia Book House joined hands with AVEC since 2009 in promoting Values through good literature. They also presented stationary, books and a nice ‘Teacher’s Day’ memento to all the participants. AVEC 36 Value Posters and a DVD resource were also handed to all.
The afternoon session focused on the ‘Value of Caring for the Environment’. Founder of ‘I Love My Mother Earth’ Foundation (ILMME), Mr. Sanjay Srinivas challenged the Value Coordinators through a new perspective to get the students on board. “We only extract from Mother Earth. It’s time we gave back to Mother Earth”, he implored. Using simple ways in which his foundation contributes to Mother Earth was very revealing. Director of GreenLine - a Don Bosco Initiative, Fr. Savio Silveira spoke of the Green Schools Campaign as an ‘Opportunity for Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders’. In presenting a number of student-school green initiatives, he invited many more schools to promote ‘Greener people’ rather than just one-more-greener -project. Presently 40 schools have joined the campaign.
Mrs. Kia Scherr presented ‘Diamond Value: Education to Becoming’ Trophies and certificates to various schools. Director of AVEC, Fr. Glenford Lowe appreciated the work put in by his AVEC Team in making this year’s School Value Coordinators’’ Forum 2012 a grand success.
BOSCO BIS INFORMATION SERVICE (BIS) MUMBAI
Don Bosco Provincial House,
Matunga, Mumbai - 400 019. INDIA
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