From October 2-5, members of the ERCBNA Office of Educational Services, ERCBNA Province Leadership Team, Advocacy Office, Edmund Rice International, and students and staff members from 13 Edmund Rice Schools in Argentina, Canada, the United States, and Uruguay, participated in the annual ACTION Advocacy Workshop in Kearny, NJ.

This year’s workshop marked the 53rd annual meeting of the leadership weekend, which focuses on developing student’s leadership skills, expanding their understanding of human rights, and preparing them to serve, in the spirit of Blessed Edmund Rice, as ACTION Youth Ambassadors to advocate for the needs of the poor and marginalized. As part of the workshop, students participated in a variety of training sessions, presentations, and collaborative exercises that will help to prepare them to lead advocacy campaigns on homelessness, children’s rights, and environmental concerns during the 2025-2026 year.

During the weekend, students also had the opportunity to participate in an Ecological Emmaus Walk at the Meadowlands Conservation and Wildlife Area, and take a pre-ACTION tour of Iona University’s campus.

During the weekend, three groups of “Super Seniors” who served as Ambassadors last year, were presented with the 2024-2025 Tom Gambardella ACTION Advocacy Awards for their outstanding work during the ’24-25 year. The winning schools included: Iona Prep (1st prize- pictured left); Brother Rice-Chicago (2nd Prize- pictured middle); and St. Thomas More (Honorable Mention- pictured right).