The congress, which will take place from 19 to 23 September 2022 at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) in Rome, actually “starts today”, says Bro. Muller in a video in which he illustrates the meaning of the congress. “Because we want to gather ideas, and even criticisms, of the behavior of us Salesians in the field of economy. But above all, we want to achieve a sustainable economy.”
“The SDB Change Congress takes place during a tremendous turbulence that has gripped all our systems of life,” added the General Economer in a letter introducing the initiative. “But this turbulence also has its positive side: Moments of crises dissolve set thought patterns and destroy what is no longer good or useful or has become superfluous. They force innovations that were previously never contemplated upon.”
In a world where everything changes, the congress intends to reason out and find “solutions” so that Salesians can “not only remain among the young, but above all help them prepare for the world of the future, which will be much more complex than our world of today.”
Among the topics that will be addressed:
- the Social and Sustainable Economy (with focus on issues like energy, water, food, self-sustainability)
- preserving the Salesian character, thinking about spirituality today, in a relativistic world
- how to concretely exercise Salesian leadership
- how to communicate today, dialoguing with realities that currently almost completely ignore the realities of the Church and young people, but who often expect “prefabricated solutions.”
- Artificial Intelligence (AI), and how it can help understand the new global realities and how to live with them
- particular attention on the issue of corruption, which must be fought not only because it is contrary to the Gospel, but also because “it does too much damage and steals the future from young people.”
The Salesians do not intend to speak about all these by themselves. Experts from all sectors involved will participate in the "SDB Change Congress", together with the Provincial Economers, the Heads of the Planning and Development Offices, the Directors of the Procurement and Offices for fundraising. This means that this journey towards a sustainable economy is a path that the Salesian Congregation faces in a united, convinced and decisive way.
The purpose of the Congress is to glimpse upon “Change as an Opportunity to improve”. And since the congress “has already begun”, everyone can participate, discuss or ask questions about these topics on social networks.
For more information, please visit: www.sdbchangecongress.org and the dedicated Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SDBchangeCongress
