A meeting held by the International Advisory Commission for the Socio-Educational Proposal (PSE) of the Teresian Association in the Americas: A new impetus for Educating in difficult times.
From 27 to 30 May 2026, the Teresian Association School in Santiago de Chile hosted an important meeting of the International Advisory Commission for the Socio-Educational Proposal (PSE) of the Teresian Association, together with representatives from the Americas.
The members of the Commission —Eliana Corbett, Susana Sacavino, Francisca Ferreira, Manoly Rey and Cecilia Villalba— took part, alongside representatives from various countries: Erica Nascimento (Brazil), Claudia Contartese (Argentina), Ana María Alarcón (Mexico), Isabel Guillermo (Dominican Republic), Loreto Olivares (Chile), Andrea Gómez (Colombia) and Carmen Lizárraga (Peru).
Although the United States, Guatemala, Uruguay and Bolivia were unable to attend on this occasion, the meeting reflected the richness and diversity of a network that continues to grow.
Currently, the group of liaisons is made up of members of the Teresian Association and collaborators committed to the educational and transformative mission that unites and inspires us.
Updated Key Principles
The purpose of this meeting was to reconnect with the shared journey of the more than 25-year history of the PSE, as well as to strengthen the role of the liaisons in order to consolidate their presence in the Americas, both in educational institutions and in social projects.
Based on the conviction that, although we come from different backgrounds, we share the same calling to educate in difficult times, the work focused on updating Pedro Poveda’s pedagogical principles to the current circumstances of each specific place and country.
Past and future challenges
Following the opening address by Eliana Corbett, Susana Sacavino presented the educational origins of the PSE, recalling its beginnings in Cochabamba in 1998 when Vera María Candau championed the idea of developing an educational approach capable of uniting the continent.
Today, the PSE is present in 11 countries, with 11 educational centres and 13 social projects. It faces important challenges:
- Tomaintain a dynamic and flexible approach to diverse contexts, situations and problems.
- To strengthen the shared identity that unites the continent.
- To put into practice support and advisory services between countries.
- To supportthe training of educators, staff and the Socio-Educational Movement (MSE).
- To make progress in the search for funding.
New impetus
We focused our exchange of experiences and insights on the role of the liaisons. We reaffirmed that their roles are clear and precise and serve as an invitation to join forces everywhere, to confirm that listening to one another provides encouragement, sheds new light on matters and keeps communication up to date. We concluded that the PSE surprises us with its diversity of life and ways of responding.
We liaisons are called upon to:
- Promote the local development of the PSE.
- Implement the agreements reached at the annual seminars.
- Follow up on the strategic guidelines for 2024–2029.
- Support ongoing processesandmaintain links with the Commission.
Upcoming Seminar
Lima in Peru will host the next annual seminar from 23 to 27 September 2026, on the theme ‘Building inclusive educational practices that recognise the richness of diversity’. We expect 55 educators and contributors to take part to reflect on this theme and share a range of educational practices from the perspective of the PSE and of different places.
Carmen Lizárraga and Erica Nascimento.
Published in News