The members of the Xavier Ateneo Social Development (SD) Cluster, together with its collaborators in the social and sustainable development mission, once again gathered on 14 August 2024 at the XU AVR 2 for its annual General Assembly. This year’s GA focused on responding to the call of social mission as a Jesuit academic institution. Members of various SD units, student representatives, and key university administrators participated in the General Assembly.
Attendees of the Social Development Cluster General Assembly posed for a group photo,
marking the start of a collaborative school year
The General Assembly began with a warm welcome from Mr Nestor M Banuag Jr, Social Involvement and Advocacy Program (SIAP) Director. In his opening remarks, Banuag emphasized the value of coming together as the cluster prepares and sets the tone for the incoming school year. He acknowledged the diverse representation of the audience, highlighting the significance of the collective commitment to advancing the mission of social development through genuine collaboration.
The General Assembly featured a keynote presentation, as Xavier University Center for Legal Assistance (XUCLA) Director Atty Ernesto B Neri gave a compelling synthesis of the previous conversations centered on the social development challenges and Xavier Ateneo’s call as a Jesuit Academic Institution. Atty Neri underscored the Jesuit identity that is fundamentally rooted in a faith that does justice. “This sets us apart from NGOs or other academic institutions, as our actions are guided by a deep-seated faith that animates our desire to build a just world. Central to Xavier Ateneo's mission is the formation of persons who can discern against the pressures of time and consumerism, refuse to profit from unjust structures, and become agents of change,” Atty Neri further noted. This mission, he remarked, is not always explicit but often implied in our actions and teachings.
Atty Ernesto B Neri, Director of Xavier University Center for Legal Assistance (XUCLA) gave a
compelling synthesis centered on social development challenges and the call for social and
sustainable development.
Following the keynote presentation, Fr Frank Dennis B Savadera SJ, Vice President for Mission and Ministry, and Dr Juliet Q Dalagan, Vice President for Higher Education, shared their impressions and reflections. In his impression, Fr Savadera emphasized that social challenges, including various forms of poverty – leadership, justice, among others – are perennial and have long existed. He further cautioned against complacency, reminding us that Jesus became a man to address these issues. He remarked, “In Ignatian spirituality, being poor and humble means experiencing these conditions to understand and lift others up, not to remain in that state.” Meanwhile, Dr Dalagan shared her perspective on integrating academics into the social development sphere, emphasizing the university’s role in forming students holistically. In her impression, Dr Dalagan underscored the crucial role of faculty as formators, shaping students to be socially engaged, holistically formed, academically competent, and globally competitive.
Engr Dexter Lo, Vice President for Social Development, gave a comprehensive presentation
on the Social Development cluster’s accomplishments and milestones.
As the General Assembly progressed, Engr Dexter S Lo, Vice President for Social Development, provided a comprehensive presentation on the Social Development milestones and accomplishments from the school year 2023-2024. VP Lo further presented the goals and targets of the incoming school year, emphasizing the value of clearly articulating the social development mission and effectively addressing social issues. “Despite the challenges, the cluster aims to expand its initiatives and engage more stakeholders, aligning with the university’s strategic goals and ensuring sustainability,” he added.
Thereafter the presentation of VP Lo, key stakeholders gave their reflections and impressions. Kyle Chester Cotacte, Xavier University Central Student Government President, shared that he attributed his growth to the initiatives of the social development cluster, noting that without the social development cluster, students wouldn't have the opportunity to engage with communities and understand societal issues. Cotacte emphasized the opportunities for collaboration between the SD cluster the CSG, proposing engagements to enhance student leadership, volunteerism, and enriching student social involvement across the cluster.
Dr Danilo Gualberto, SD Coordinator of the College of Arts and Sciences – Natural Sciences, recounted the significant developments of service-learning engagements as avenues for students to deepen their appreciation of their academic learning. In his impression, Dr Gualberto expressed his amazement at still being involved with social development, continuing a journey that began during his elementary and high school days at Xavier as he consistently sought ways to share the knowledge and experiences he gained at Xavier with others. He further shared that he feels profound sense of freedom upon reflecting on the students’ service-learning engagements and the dedication of the social development formators and coordinators.
Dr Danilo Gualberto (left), SD Coordinator for the College of Arts and Sciences – Natural Sciences, and Dr Pamela Pajente (right),
Vice President for Basic Education, shared his impressions and reflections during the SD General Assembly
Dr Pamela Q Pajente, Vice President for Basic Education, and Dr Heide R Rabanes, Dean for Research, also gave their impressions and reflections. Dr Pajente focused on the 3-year strategic plan presented by VP Lo as both feasible and achievable, emphasizing the incorporation of remote and relevant social development engagements. Additionally, she underscored the significance of implementing age-appropriate social development activities, particularly for Basic Education, to cultivate these skills early on. Meanwhile, Dr Rabanes shared her reflections from the General Assembly, expressing her support for the SD Cluster and signifying her openness for collaboration and dialogue.
The Assembly concluded with a message from Fr Mars P Tan SJ, University President, as he emphasized the value of social development in the mission of Jesuit education. He recognized that advocacy approaches have changed significantly over the years and stressed the necessity for research, reflection, and discernment to effectively adapt to these transformations. The General Assembly also provided an avenue for meaningful dialogue and conversations. As the SD cluster gears up for the school year, a renewed commitment to service and mission sparked from the General Assembly, encouraging the Xavier Ateneo community to continue advocating for the social changes necessary for a better future.