IN 2001, then-archbishop of Buenos Aires Jorge Mario Bergoglio initiated an educational effort to bring together young people from different social, religious, and cultural backgrounds.
The initiative would eventually develop into Scholas Occurrentes: an international educational movement associated with Pope Francis.
The prelate considered young people as part of one family-that of the human race. It was no surprise that when he became the beloved pope, ‘Scholas’ made its mark as a pontifical foundation, with a presence in more than 15 countries.
As the Filipinos’ well-loved ‘Papa Francesco,’ the departed pope still makes his presence felt in the country through ‘Scholas” official Philippine partner foundation: the Schools of Encounter Foundation Inc. (SEFI).
The foundation’s president Ma. Clara ‘Kim’ Acuña-Camacho hosted a press briefing on September 16 to introduce her core team and discuss their initial efforts to bring SEFI to the Philippines.
Camacho explained that the Scholas are actually ‘schools of meetings (escuelas de encuentro),’ and that Pope Francis ‘badly’ wanted the Philippines to be part of its global network.
According to her, Scholas operates as one of the pope’s ‘most cherished educational endeavors.’ She and her husband, former Finance and Energy Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho, met the late pontiff before he passed away to establish Scholas in the Philippines and bring his vision of education to the country.
That served as the Camacho couple’s impetus to launch SEFI in early 2026. She said it was a ‘direct expression of his deepest educational hopes and love for the Filipino people.’
According to Executive Director Rayla Allertsen, SEFI’s objective is unmistakable: ‘The Filipino youth needed to be seen, heard, and matter.’
Culture of encounter
A MEMBER of SEFI’s core team, Argentinian Manuel Dez Guistino had the rare privilege of traveling with Pope Francis on his trips some 11 years ago.
For Guistino, the most vital question for young people now is: ‘How are you?’
‘Nowadays, it’s not a good time for them,’ he said. ‘Social media-despite being such-affects them a lot, and sometimes in a not-so-good way.’
SEFI’s aim, and challenge, Guistino explained, is to invite as many of them as possible to be part of the change: ‘Our mission is to create spaces for young people from diverse backgrounds. Connections can change the world.’
With that in mind, he shared that plans are underway to stage a five-day SEFI congress in Indonesia, with the theme of ‘AI and Humanity.’
The Argentinian spoke about three languages: that of the ‘heart, mind, and heart,’ for young people to become ‘better leaders, and better persons.’
‘Ultimately,’ he remarked, ‘it’s all about interconnection.’
Another member of the Scholas team in the country, Delfina Bejar works full-time with Scholas as a project manager. Starting as a volunteer, she worked tirelessly to help curb incidents of suicide in the Argentinian village of San Antonio.
‘Scholas encouraged young members and gave them tools to create solutions and come up with initiatives,’ Bejar told the group. ‘We created a form of cinema as their very own space to share [their thoughts and feelings], and be heard.’
Bejar said the initiative was followed by a reduction in reported cases, eventually reaching zero.
‘Protagonists of change’
SEFI officials said they are scheduled to hold a formation for facilitators on September 19 and 20, comprising an equal number of Quezon City-based public and private schools, both Catholic and non-Catholic.
As a progressive city local government unit, SEFI officials said the initiative has received support from Quezon City Mayor Josefina ‘Joy’ Belmonte and the city’s Department of Education Schools Division Office.
Stakeholders were urged to encourage student participants to consider the idea that ‘the person different from me matters.’ To do so, they should accompany the young participants in their encounters and help initiate meaningful discussions during the gathering.
‘We should develop them and make them protagonists of change,’ Allertsen said, believing Filipino youth should think about creating ‘communities in motion.’
The SEFI official said they are currently in talks with Far Eastern University and the University of the Philippines about future participation in their initiatives.
They include establishing Scholas Clubs at the two universities and other schools.
These clubs, she said, are already present in more than 20 countries, and SEFI would like the Philippines to join that expanding youth network to distill ideas. This will also give Filipino teachers a platform to connect with peers globally.
Possible national movement
FOR his part, former secretary Camacho feels traditional Philippine education is designed to teach for livelihood. Still, it lacks aspects like dealing with confrontations and teaching young kids how to face issues and societal problems.
He said this can result in teenagers living in their own microcosms, with limited opportunities for children from diverse backgrounds to interact.
The former secretary believes ample support from Scholas will bring various youth groups together, instill civic-mindedness, and connect schools.
‘I do hope Scholas will become a national movement,’ he remarked.
Through SEFI, the educational vision associated with Pope Francis is beginning to take root in the Philippines. Its organizers hope that encounters among young people from different backgrounds will encourage greater understanding, strengthen connections, and help develop what they describe as ‘protagonists of change.’