Brief personal introduction
My name is Mariano Olivera, I am Argentinean and I currently live in my country, in the city of Buenos Aires, I am a former student of La Salle Flores de Buenos Aires, and president of the Alumni Association of my school since 2021. I work as a Commercial Manager in OL Group, an integral logistics company. Son of Monica and Alberto, brother of Carolina and Pablo. I am the middle brother, 30 years old.
How do you assume the responsibility of leading the OMAEC Youth Forum?
As a privilege and an opportunity; and with it a responsibility and commitment so that the objectives and challenges that we young people set ourselves can be carried out with positive results.
What short and medium-term actions are planned?
During the months of March and April we will be meeting with the members and starting to plan the second semester of concrete actions based on the group’s vote.
We are clear on the pillars of our forum:
o Education and our participation in UNESCO as a means of management tool, knowledge and information for relevant projects.
o Social justice in the sense of the obstacles that young people face in their academic and working life after secondary school. A referral network, influential contacts and job exchange as a means of management tool.
o The welfare of the community, understood as works and actions – in principle achievable, small and concrete – (face-to-face and/or virtual) that we carry out in the different countries that allow us to contribute to the quality of life of those who need it.
o The fundamental participation of SSR for promotion, communication, information and dissemination is a vitally important tool; and accession of new members.
Congregational diversity, languages, cultures – …. – do you think this is a positive factor in the Forum or perhaps an impediment?
Because of the commitment of those of us who participate, we will transform the communication “impediment” into our first difficulty overcome for the good of all and our objectives. Diversity will be a positive factor, I believe that in every field it is, and especially in our forum with young people, it will give us a positive energy to get to know different cultures and languages.
In general, what is a young alumni/ae of Catholic education like?
In my opinion, he/she is one who finishes his/her educational stage with values of promoting social welfare, education and respect for others without discrimination.
Can you give us a message?
From the participation of the current members and all those who may join during the process, from the diversity of opinions and proposals and from the group consent I have faith in achieving small actions in different countries during this first year, and then the beginning of the actions of 2024 with greater challenges.
I am convinced that the GF has enormous potential for those of us who are part of it.
I thank the OMAEC for giving us this opportunity, this space and for valuing us as young people to accompany and manage projects for the common good.
I hope to live up to the privilege of being Director of this space.
