OFFICIAL NAME
World Organisation of Former Pupils of Catholic Education
ACRONYM
OMAEC (Organisation Mondiale des Anciens et Anciennes Élèves de l’Enseignement Catholique)
ESTABLISHED
1967
HISTORY
The idea of setting up associations of former pupils of Catholic schools - some of which date back to the end of the 19th century - came about in 1960 at the Eucharistic Congress in Munich, Germany, presided over by Cardinal Agostino Bea, who encouraged the delegates of the European former pupils of Jesuit schools to organise themselves in order to give a more institutional form to their witnessing to Christ. The representatives of the existing groups created a Commission of International Understanding and Study which, in 1967, led to the foundation of the world Organisation of former Pupils and Teachers of Catholic Education. Recognised by the Holy See as an International Catholic Organisation, OMAEC is a member of the Conference of ICOs. It is linked by a protocol of understanding with the Catholic International Education Office (see page 33). In its capacity as an NGO, OMAEC has consultative status with Ecosoc, UNICEF, the ILO, FAO, and operational status with UNESCO.
IDENTITY
The priority objectives of OMAEC are to support the Catholic school in its commitment to providing a comprehensive education for the human person and the dissemination of a culture inspired by Christian principles. The former pupils, which OMAEC represents at the international organisations, are called to cooperate in the pursuit of its purposes by service to the Church, which means a social commitment imbued with the principles that inspired the education they have received.
ORGANISATION
OMAEC is officially governed by the General Assembly, which meets every three years, coinciding with a Congress convened to study specific issues; the Executive Committee, and the Executive Council, made up of the delegates of the member organisations, whose meetings are attended by a representative of the Youth Commission created by the organisation in 1987. The member organisations can also create continental Unions (there are two at the present time: Unaec for Europe, and Ulaec for Latin America and the Caribbean).
MEMBERSHIP
OMAEC comprises 11 international organisations, 12 national organisations, and 2 continental Unions, to which about 150 million people refer worldwide, some from other denominations, who have received their education at Catholic schools.
PUBLICATIONS
Nouvelles OMAAEEC, a half-yearly newsletter. The member organisations have their own publications (for example Confederex, published by the Italian Association, and Cofaec, published by the French Association).
WEB SITE
HEADQUARTERS
Organisation Mondiale des Anciens et Anciennes Élèves de l’Enseignement Catholique
c/o Pontificio Istituto Pio IX
Via Cavalieri del Santo Sepolcro, 1 - 00193 Roma - Italy
Email: secretar@omaaeec.org
