26th of March 2026, Brussels

From 12 to 15 March 2026 FAFCE participated in the International Seminar organised by the French Catholic Family Associations (AFC) in Rome, dedicated to supporting the educational mission of families, with a particular focus on presenting the methodology and experience of the Chantiers-Éducation. 

By hosting this event in Rome, the AFC aimed to expand the Chantiers-Éducation model across Europe and encourage the daily commitment of parents in the upbringing of their children. At the heart of this initiative lies a strong conviction: families play an irreplaceable role in contributing to the Common Good, and parents are the first and primary educators of their children.

The seminar was held under the theme: “C’est au sein des familles que se construit l’avenir des peuples” (“It is within families that the future of peoples is built”), a quote attributed to Pope Leo XIV during the Jubilee of Families on 1 June 2025. This message reflects the long-standing commitment of the AFC, founded in 1905, to defend freedom of conscience and support families in their educational responsibilities.

Bénédicte Boudineau, national coordinator of Chantiers d’éducation, opened the international seminar with the following words: “We are gathered here in the Eternal City, the heart of the Church and a place of so many spiritual foundations, to reflect together on what, in our troubled times, remains the surest foundation: the family; that humble yet powerful place where love is learned, where hope is passed on, where inner freedom is built, and where the future of peoples is prepared.”

For over 35 years, the Chantiers-Éducation have accompanied parents through small discussion groups -typically 6 to 10 participants -who meet monthly to share experiences, listen to one another, and grow in their educational practices. Today, more than 450 such groups exist in France. While around thirty groups operate outside the country, they have historically been composed mainly of French expatriates. However, this is changing: new groups are emerging in neighbouring countries such as Belgium and Switzerland, increasingly involving more families.

The seminar brought together around 70 participants over four days, including French regional coordinators, trainers, and representatives of Catholic family associations from across Europe. Participants came from countries including Italy, Belgium, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, and Albania. The aim was to train new leaders who could bring the Chantiers-Éducation model to their own countries. At the end of the programme, attendees were able to receive certification enabling them to launch and lead groups locally.

This symposium, presenting Chantier-Éducation’s specificity, goals, approach and framework, was enriched by various interventions among which FAFCE President Vincenzo Bassi and Adriano Bordignon, President of Forum Delle Associazioni Familiari, who presented the challenges Italian faced by Italian families.

In his welcoming speech, FAFCE President Vincenzo Bassi highlighted the simplicity and adaptability of the Chantiers-Éducations methodology. Rather than relying on predefined materials, each group builds on the lived experiences of its members, ensuring that discussions respond directly to the real needs and concerns of parents. This flexible and participatory approach makes the French model particularly suitable for expansion across diverse cultural contexts.

Rooted in the belief that the family is the “first school of love,” the cradle of life, and a vital cell of society, the Chantiers-Éducation initiative highlights the family’s essential role in fostering social cohesion, mutual responsibility, and family networks. The meeting in Rome marked an important step in bringing this vision to a broader European stage.

FAFCE is grateful to the AFC for the invitation to the seminar in Rome and for the beautiful and important service that the AFC offer to families with Chantiers- Éducation. 

(photo: AFC)