The 2009 Huether Lasallian Conference opened Thursday, November 19, with Superior General Bro. Alvaro Rodriguez Echeverria delivering the opening address before a gathering of close to 300 Lasallian educators. Focusing on the theme of the conference, Bro. Alvaro spoke about the commitment of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools to “Providing Sanctuary for All in Times of Crisis.”

At the opening session, Bro. Ernest Miller, Associate Director for Mission and Ministry of the District of Eastern North America (DENA), also introduced the Rights of the Child initiative in the Region which includes Lasallian advocacy for the United States to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, culminating with the Lasallian Student Convocation at the United Nations in October 2010. Other presentors at the conference were Dr. Kenneth Hardy who spoke about “Reconnecting with the Lives of Our Children: Pathway to New Partnerships and Dr. Mary Pipher who spoke about “The Sanctuary of Family.”
Present at the opening were Vicar General Bro. Thomas Johnson, who delivered the closing address, and members of the Institute’s General Council, and Visitors of the Francophone Canada Region. Click here to read the full text of the addresses.