Since the mid-nineteenth century, different movements began organizing alumni in various schools of Brothers in order to form Alumni Associations. Most often it was the memory of their school years or the affection to their teachers what attracted so many former students. Soon, many of these Associations opened themselves to an apostolic dimension, aware that the Christian formation they had received required them a lot more: to make the goods of culture, linked to Christian values, reach other people and society.

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The Associations were grouped by country, and later constituted the Lasallian World Confederation. Since there was a need to structure the different movements that followed inside the Lasallian family, the Confederation ceased to exist in 1990, and UMAEL, the World Union of Lasallian Former Students began its activities in 1992, with the by-laws approved and enacted during the 1st World Congress in 1994 in Jérez de la Frontera, Spain. Since then, the following World Congresses have been organized:

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• Rome, Italy 1999

• Mexico City, Mexico 2003

• Panama, Panama 2007

• Manila, Philippines 2011

• Beauvais, France 2015

• Minneapolis, USA 2019

 

In the World Union, the Federations of each District or each nation were integrated. The Federations, in turn, brought together the local Associations. The alumni of the catholic schools’ form within the church an important force in the field of the lay apostolate. Among the primary objectives that the Associations of Former Students must have today, there are three of great importance:

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A) To defend and promote freedom of education, in such a way that the type of education is not compulsorily imposed by the State on its citizens. Freedom of education requires that all children have access to the kind of education that parents want. Consequently, economic discrimination -which exists when state education is free and non-state education isn’t- must also be overcome. Funding for education is an obligation of the State, and must do so without discrimination: for both students in public centers and those who choose a private center. Education must be free for everyone: only then will the poor have the right to choose the education they want. And should it also be free for those who aren’t poor? Of course!, however, they should pay their education to the State beforehand, according to their possibilities, through taxes. This way they will not have to pay for their tuition in the school of their choosing, because this will be financed by the State, just like for everyone else.

 

B) To collaborate so that the Christian colleges and Christian educational institutions can carry out their job without hindrance, forming the students according to the criteria of the Gospel.

 

C) To work in order to make education reach everyone, especially to those who have less chances of obtaining it. To this end, they will promote and support literacy, promote cultural and professional development, especially among young people.