Renewed partnership to empower young Catholic leaders across Asia

Father Repole SJ, and Alexius sign an agreement renewing their partnership for the Joint Diploma in Integral Leadership and Community Development programme. Photo: LiCAS News/IFFAsia

MANILA (LiCAS News): The Institute of Formation Fondacio Asia [IFFAsia] and the Loyola School of Theology [LST] renewed their memorandum of agreement for the Joint Diploma in Integral Leadership and Community Development programme. This initiative aims to train young lay Catholic leaders for Church service and community development across Asia.

The programme combines theological education, leadership training and community engagement to prepare young people for leadership roles in local churches and civil society, with an emphasis on responding to the needs of their communities.

Florence Alexius, director of IFFAsia, represented the institute’s formation team, while Jesuit Father Renato Repole, president of the Loyola School of Theology, represented LST.

The non-degree diploma programme, offered to individuals aged 23 to 38, provides an alternative pathway for those seeking education in leadership, pastoral ministry, and community development.

The curriculum integrates human development, Christian formation, social analysis, and Catholic social teaching to prepare participants for leadership and community engagement.

The non-degree diploma programme, offered to individuals aged 23 to 38, provides an alternative pathway for those seeking education in leadership, pastoral ministry, and community development

The programme is divided into two phases. The first, Human Development and Leadership, runs from January to May and covers psychosocial approaches to human development, faith formation, social analysis tools for community development, and new ecclesiology in pastoral ministry.

The second phase, Social-Pastoral Leadership Development, runs from June to November and focuses on contemporary social issues, development theories, Catholic social teaching, and pastoral ministry.

The training aims to strengthen participants’ leadership and decision-making skills, while also developing their capacity to critically examine social issues affecting their communities.

Graduates also undertake a two-year post-programme internship, during which they implement a Development Action Plan with support from IFFAsia and their respective sending organisations.

Through the renewed partnership, IFFAsia and the Loyola School of Theology seek to strengthen lay participation in the Catholic Church’s mission and promote leadership rooted in faith, service and community engagement.