Brazil - 9th Pastoral Meeting of IUS America
Campo Grande, Brazil - September 2023 - The 9th Pastoral Meeting of IUS America began in Chácara São Vicente-Lagoa da Cruz, near Campo Grande, Brazil on 19 September, bringing together representatives of Salesian Institutions of Higher Education (IUS) from all over Latin America. The event is being coordinated by the Rector of the University Centre of the East of Minas Gerais, Genésio Zeferino, of the IUS America Pastoral Area 2, and is being held both in person and digitally, with a total participation of around 50 people. In opening the meeting, Professor Zeferino emphasised the importance of networking, which strengthens the actions of the IUS. The Rector of the Dom Bosco Catholic University (UCDB), Fr José Marinoni, then reminded participants of the commitment to the Common Programme and Policies approved at the General Assembly, which takes place every four years. The Executive Director of the Salesian Network of Brazil (RSB), Fr Nivaldo Luiz Pessinatti, who spoke in virtual mode, shared the evolution of the work experimented among the basic education schools that now make up the RSB, uniting the dimensions of school, social work and communication. The first conference was presented by the Vice-Rector for Pastoral and Community Affairs at the UCDB, Fr Idenilson Lemes da Conceição, who spoke on "Salesian University Pastoral Care: Understanding, Challenges and Opportunities". On 20 September, Professor Roberto Damas from the Universidad Don Bosco i El Salvador gave a lecture entitled "IUS America Pastoral Journey in the Common Programme: Achievements and Pastoral Orientations". Reports were then presented on the implementation of the pastoral guidelines in each IUS, and the "IUS Common Programme and Policies 2023-2026 - Possible Joint Actions", with Professor Genésio Silva and directions for making the Joint Programme 6 operational. On 21 September, Professor Giselle García Hjarles, from the Catholic Silva Henríquez University in Chile, gave a lecture on "University Pastoral Care and Research".