Still serving after almost 400 years,  some 140 volunteers or members of the AIC will gather in Guatemala City (Guatemala) from 23^rd to 27^th March 2015 to participate in the next AIC International Assembly. They will represent the 53 AIC national associations, 

The AIC is steeped in the tradition that goes back to August 1617 when Vincent convened what was then called the “Charities”. In many ways that event could be called the beginning of the age of the laity in ministry.

(Review their 400 year journey to today in this brief video.)

Now almost 400 years later these women (and now men) will come together for the purpose of

• Highlighting education as a two-way process: education in the context of poverty is not limited to filling a gap (transferring knowledge).  It is also a two-way exchange and a question of valuing everyone’s ability to act to change a situation.
• Planning the priorities for future years, notably in the context of the 400^th anniversary of the creation of the first groups of “Charities” by Saint Vincent, the Charities that have become the AIC we know today.

Through workshops and discussions, they are committed to discovering ways to raise awareness that every person  has strengths and something to share with others.  Theirs is the deep belief that together we can change a situation of poverty and create projects which transform lives!

A few key words will guide their work during this meeting:

• The strengths of every one of us and the power to appreciate these strengths
• Two-way exchanges: Each person can bring something and learn something from others
• Dreams as a driver for change

http://www.aic-international.org/content_news.php?l=en&c=0&n=322