From October 22 to 24, 2024, directors of 21 National Cáritas met at Casa Getsemaní, Quito, Ecuador, to strengthen the shared identity of the national leadership service in the Cáritas of Latin America and the Caribbean, deepening common strategic aspects.

Monsignor Gustavo Rodríguez Vega, president of Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean, described the meeting as "a fraternal and synodal moment" where the participants They were able to listen to each other and discover the designs of the institution.

Sometimes it is not easy to reach agreements on all economic issues," he acknowledged, "but we do it with the greatest fraternity, sharing the experiences of each national Cáritas.

The directors Agustina Langwagen, from Cáritas Uruguaya, and Janeth Márquez, from Cáritas Venezuela, agreed in highlighting the importance of the meeting. Langwagen defined it as "an opportunity to accompany us, reflect on our task and learn as a community", while Márquez emphasized the importance of working together for "cooperation and the construction of a better society".

The meeting was not only a space for reflection, but also for defining strategic guidelines for the joint work of the organization in the region, with reflection on topics such as fraternal cooperation and statutory quotas.

The directors had the opportunity to dedicate a block of the day to their training, with the theme "Animation and Leadership from the Identity of Cáritas", directed by Albertina Navas from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (PUCE).

The session focused on crucial aspects of assertive leadership and explored strategies for managing difficult conversations and resolving relationship conflicts. This training space allowed managers to share tools and reflect on the leadership style within their organizations.