The Southeast Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute (SEARSOLIN), since its inception in 1964, has been one of Asia’s leading institutes for rural social leadership and development. It has carried out the legacy and values of its founder, Fr William F Masterson SJ in forming more than 2,000 leaders from Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. SEARSOLIN celebrates its 50th year of existence with the theme, “SEARSOLIN @ 50: Forming Leaders of Character in the Development Frontiers” (Gratitude, Renewal, Mission) on December 17-18.
Gratitude
An intense sense of gratitude dominates the 50th year celebration of SEARSOLIN for the opportunity of forming and producing rural social development leaders from Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. This has been one of the significant legacies of Fr William Masterson SJ in the area of rural development. As we celebrate the golden year of SEARSOLIN, we cannot help but remember the numerous people and institutions that became partners of the institute—the funding partners such as MISEREOR of Germany, DANCHURCHAID of Denmark, Ecumenical Scholarship Program of Germany, Georgetown University of USA and few others which provided scholarship grants to SEARSOLIN participants.
Our appreciation also extends to our partners from the government, NGOs and churches from all over Asia. Most importantly, we honor our founder, Fr William F Masterson, who until now has continued to inspire people to commit themselves for inclusive development (alumni, affiliates, resource persons etc). We also extend our gratitude to the former members of the management and staff who spent their productive years at SEARSOLIN and who largely contributed in reaching the goals of the institute for the past 50 years.
Renewal
SEARSOLIN continues to commit to the renewal of the holistic formation of leaders in Asia through innovative and relevant programs. As evident to its graduates, SEARSOLIN has remains responsive to the greater needs of the frontier—crafting a possible roadmap for doing rural social leadership development in the 21st century in the context of the Institute’s wealth of history, strategic spot in Asia and its charisma drawn from the inspiration of its founder. Since 1964, SEARSOLIN has been operating as a strong entity under the umbrella of the Xavier University – College of Agriculture.
Mission
With the intertwining challenges confronting Asia today, SEARSOLIN is also called to “think” and “re-think” about how to become more relevant as a training institute in the field of development. The new program and course offerings are defined according to a business model that responds to SEARSOLIN’s niche, development orientation, needs and issues, target markets, stakeholders, among others. Courses that are considered relevant and can enforce the development agenda of the SEARSOLINers include: Food Security, Local Governance and Leadership, Social Entrepreneurship, Resource Rights and Governance, Disaster Risk Management, and Project Management and Monitoring.
The new courses and approaches are aimed at attaining the primary mission of SEARSOLIN—to form leaders of character, men and women committed to help the poor for social development.