Colombia – Meeting of Salesian School in America ANDEAN region - CINAB

04 May 2023

(ANS - Medellín) - From April 25-29, at "Villa San Francisco de Sales" in Medellín, school leaders from the Andina - CINAB region (Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Peru) of four groups of the Salesian Family met: the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), the Daughters of the Divine Savior (HDS) and the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (HHSSCC). The purpose of the gathering was to reflect together on the journey of the schools concerning the use of new technologies in Salesian education, and to delve into some aspects of the Charter of Identity of the Salesian School in America (ESA, in Spanish), in preparation for the congress to be held in Guadalajara, Mexico, May 1-5, 2024.

The meeting was attended by 22 delegates for education from the 5 countries of the region, who carried out discernment and planning work on topics such as: new information technologies and the Metaverse; new virtual courtyards; and the path of educational research. For this, speakers included Martha Cañas, pedagogical consultant of the Salesian publishing house EDEBE; Jorge Moraga, SDB; and Roberto Hincapié, Dean of the Schools of Engineering at the Pontifical Bolivarian University.

The meeting included sharing best practices of Salesian education in the different Provinces and contexts, to recognize and share the most significant experiences of regional educational work, all referring to the four pillars of the ESA, which arose from the IV meeting of the institution, held precisely in Medellín in 2017.

In the post-pandemic era, with all its consequences in the field of education, participants examined the technological processes underway and the path that is opening with Artificial Intelligence. The meeting highlighted some of the opportunities present today, such as the use of digital platforms, the path taken to arrive at the Metaverse, and the whole process that has become a generalized alternative to promote learning, reasoning also to foster awareness on the part of educators of the use of technologies for training and especially for self-training. There was no lack of calls to reflect together on the scope of technological processes from a community, anthropological and ethical perspective.

Regarding sharing best practices, projects inherent in the social-emotional work of students after returning to school in person; the educational project in adverse sociocultural contexts; and networking around the Global Educational Pact were all highlighted.  

On sharing best practices, projects about the social-emotional work of students after returning to school in person; the educational project in adverse sociocultural contexts; and networking around the Global Educational Covenant were praised.  

As for methodology, all attendees appreciated the opportunity to work at various levels: in assembly group meetings and in small inter-departmental working groups, which allowed the exchange of experiences among the several congregations present at the meeting. Central, as always in gatherings of the Salesian Family, were also opportunities for fraternity and prayer and common celebrations.

InfoANS

ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes. By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements, you consent to the use of cookies. To learn more or to opt out, click "Further Information".