Be animators, says priest

TEACHERS should be animators of youths, a priest says.
Father Ambrose Pereira, the social communications secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference told participants at a youth animation seminar in Port Moresby last week “to reflect on your role and purpose as an animator”.
“Do not present yourself as someone older and in a power of dominance, rather, be at their level connecting yourself with them and positively guiding them,” he said.
The seminar was to prepare teachers to be animators of their media clubs and ensure a practical outcome of the awareness made through the media.
Eleven teachers from nine Catholic agency schools attended.
Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Rabaul, Francisco Panfilo, the author of the book “Just Land Agreements”, talked about what his book was about.
He shared of how the logging industry in recent times had taken a significant toll in reducing forests.
He gave the participants an insight into land agreements which do not benefit landowners.
Environmental and sustainability expert Carol Aigilo shared her experience as an environmentalist, providing an insight into the reality of the oil palm industry on the environment, especially the chemicals used and the effects.
Animator of Don Bosco Technical School, Leo Paraha said the seminar “enabled me to better myself both personally and professionally as a mentor and animator.
“This has made me reassess my approach toward my students,” he said.