Living Angela’s Spirit: Building Bridges for the Future
30/03/2026
Asia Pacific Ursuline Education Conference 2026
Jakarta, Indonesia | 2–6 March 2026
March 2nd to March 6th, 2026, Jakarta became a place of encounter, reflection, and renewed mission as educators from across the Asia Pacific region, and beyond, gathered for the Asia Pacific Ursuline Education Conference (APUEC) 2026.
Guided by the theme “Living Angela’s Spirit: Building Bridges for the Future”, the conference invited participants to reflect deeply on the mission of Ursuline education in a rapidly changing world.
More than a professional gathering, the conference became a sacred space of listening, sharing, and discernment, where educators strengthened relationships and rediscovered the enduring relevance of Saint Angela Merici’s vision for education today.
A Community Across Nations
A total of 127 participants from 15 countries registered for the conference, representing Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, India, the Philippines, Japan, Cambodia, Ireland, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Kenya, Senegal, and Timor Leste.
Although participants from Italy and England were unable to attend due to the war situation in the Middle East, the gathering remained a vibrant expression of the global Ursuline family in the Asia Pacific region.
Different languages, cultures, and educational contexts came together in a shared spirit of Serviam - “I will serve.”
The planning committee
A Meaningful Beginning
The conference opened with warm greetings from Sr. Lita Hasanah, OSU Provincial of Indonesia, who welcomed participants to Jakarta. A message from Sr. Agatha Linda Chandra, OSU was shared by Sr. Mairead O’Regan, OSU, while Sr. Leonora Therese Veriga, OSU, a member of the planning committee, offered the opening address.
The gathering officially began with the celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta.
In his homily, Cardinal Suharyo offered a profound reflection on human identity across different eras. He recalled the philosophical statement: “I think, therefore I am.” In the age of consumerism, he noted, identity shifted to: “I buy, therefore I am.” And in today’s post-truth era, he observed that it can even become: “I lie, therefore I am.”
His reflection led to a powerful question for educators: What kind of human identity do we hope to form through Ursuline education?
The Art of Listening
On the second day, participants reflected on the difference between merely hearing and truly listening. Guided by Dr. Wilasa Vichit-Vadakan, the facilitator of the conference, participants explored how authentic listening requires attentiveness, openness, and respect for the experiences of others.
Caring for Well-Being in a Digital World
The third day - Ms. Ratih Ibrahim and her team from Indonesia led a series of well researched sessions on mental health and emotional well-being in the digital age. Through reflection and dialogue, participants explored how educators can remain grounded amid the pressures of social media, technological change, and the demands of contemporary education.
Encountering Ursuline Education in Jakarta
A highlight of the conference was the school visits on the fourth day. Participants visited several Ursuline educational institutions in Jakarta. These visits offered participants the opportunity to witness how the spirit of Saint Angela is lived in everyday school life.
Building Bridges Across the Countries
On the final working day, participants gathered in groups. These conversations created opportunities to explore future collaboration among Ursuline schools across the Asia Pacific region and even further across the globe.
Sent Forth in Mission
The conference concluded with a Missioning Prayer and ritual. Participants wrote the fruits they had received during the conference and placed them on a symbolic tree. This gesture became a sign of gratitude and renewed commitment to continue the Ursuline mission in their respective communities. The gathering ended joyfully with the “Insieme” flash mob, celebrating friendship, unity, and shared mission.
May we continue to be bridge-builders—
steady in faith, creative in response, and gentle in strength.
May our classrooms become places of belonging,
our leadership marked by wisdom and compassion,
and our communities reflect the dignity of every person.
And may the God who called Angela in her time walk with us in ours.
Go and live Angela’s spirit.
Go and build bridges for the future.
excerpts from an article by Sr Moekti Gondosasmito OSU
- full text will be available in the Inter-Ursuline Bullettin
Visit APUEC 2026 Official Website ►
to get comprehensive Information, Materials, Documentations
