The “Methodist Education Day in Latin America” has been celebrated every year since 2004, and in 2026 all Methodist-related schools, colleges, seminaries, and universities associate to the Latin American Association of Methodist Institutions of Education (ALAIME) marked this important date once again. On this day, the first Methodist school in Latin America was founded in Mexico. The Madero Institute, created in the City of Mexico in 1874 by the missionaries Guillermo Butler and Clementina R. de Butler, subsequently moved to the city of Puebla, where it has been in operation to this day. The Madero Institute grew into a complex educational system that includes several campuses in Mexico and evolved into Madero University. The system is now planning the opening of another campus in Puebla, a city whose metropolitan area has more than 3 million inhabitants. Puebla is also known as home to more than 60 universities. The Universidad Madero (UMAD) hosted the IAMSCU International Conference in 2017 and continues to be a key reference for the Methodist educational system in Latin America and around the world.
Victor Valerio Córdova is a Director of the Madero School in Puebla and the current President of ALAIME. On February 9, 2026, he sent his ALAIME Presidential Message to all schools, their students, staff, and faculty, reminding them of the deep Wesleyan roots of their institutions. Echoing his message, many schools and churches marked this special day, including the Methodist Church in Uruguay, with a pronouncement by its President, Dr. Evelyn Wibmer, alluding to this date. For more information about ALAIME and Methodist education in Latin America, visit their website: https://alaime.net/
December 2025, the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU) celebrated Human Rights Week by issuing a Statement on Human Rights. The association also celebrated the coming of the “Prince of Peace” during Christmas, an important value for Methodist educational institutions and a clear hope for the world today.