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AFRAM FORMATION BOARD MEETING
The AFRAM Formation Board held its tri-annual meeting a the
Divine Word Catholic Conference Centre, Adoagyiri-Nsawam in
Ghana from 7-12 June 2009. It brought together formators from
all across the AFRAM Zone The Generalate Secretary for Education
and Formation, the Ghana Provincial and members of the Ghana
Formation Board were also in attendance bringing the total
number of participants to eighteen.
The major point on the agenda was an evaluation of the Common
Formation Centres which have been in existence now for up to
fifteen years. A questionnaire had been sent out to the three
Common Formation Centres for the formators, present students,
and past students to respond to. For the most part the responses
were very positive with 60% to 95.3% giving a good or a very
good rating to various areas that were being evaluated. Only two
points received a rating lower than 60%: The integration of JPIC
and Biblical-Pastoral-Ministry into their programmes. On
language learning as a second zonal language past students gave
a higher rating than the present students. On relationship with
formators current students give a higher rating than former
students. Concerning the internationality of the programme past
students gave an approval rate of 75% while current students
gave only a 49.3% rating.
Other matter discussed concerned things as varied as exchanging
formators and the use of mobile phones by the formandi; policies
for students going on OTP and evaluation of candidates for final
vows. There was also a good discussion on the problems that have
been experienced when students have been accepted from countries
where there is no SVD presence. They should be encouraged to
join a congregation in their own country was the first
recommendation and great caution should be used if a province
decides to accept such a student.
All three CFCs have started implementing the General Chapter
resolution that everyone should learn English or Spanish. With
programmes already full it is not easy and they are still
exploring more effective ways of implementing this resolution.
The AFB also approved holding ongoing formation courses for the
formators themselves. Some of the formators have had no formal
training in formation ministry and other see the benefits of
regular updating. The Zone is aiming at a course for the full
month of June 2011.
On the final day of the meeting the AFB approved thirteen
recommendations and reaffirmed one existing policy.
An evaluation of the meeting was overwhelmingly positive: from
the contact before participants came, the organization of the
meeting and the actual running of the meeting. Things were well
organized – exemplary; the atmosphere was cordial and friendly;
the food was exceptional, the hospitality was great!
Fred Timp, SVD |
