The meeting brought together representatives from across the continent for a moment of reflection and dialogue on Salesian vocational training in America. The meeting focused on understanding of Salesian charismatic foundations and current operational realities. This in return will help to consolidate the network’s actions that strengthen vocational training in the different provinces.
The first day was aimed at identifying the current state of Vocational Training at the local level. The objective was to establish priorities for the consolidation of the Salesian CFP network on the continent.
On the second day, they reflected on the foundations of the Salesian mission, through the analysis and deepening of what the local needs are and the charismatic responses to those needs. The objective was to orientate the interventions that respond to the mission of the Salesian Industrial Technical Training Institutes (ITI). Thus, during the day, the participants had the opportunity to visit some Salesian historical places and some ITIs located in the houses of the city of Buenos Aires and its suburbs. They went to the Salesian Museum of the "Mater Misericordiae" Church, in the Congreso neighbourhood; to the ITI of "San Pedro" and the Museum of the Salesian House of San Juan Evangelista, in the La Boca neighbourhood; to the ITI of the Salesian House of Bernal and to that of San Justo. Finally, they also had the opportunity to visit and participate in the Mass in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in the Almagro neighbourhood.
On Wednesday 11, those who were responsible for the ITIs in America drew up an working in plan to respond to the local and continental needs of Salesian training for the world of work.
Finally, on the last day, the objective was to identify lessons learnt and commitments arising from the meeting, through the sharing and dissemination of good practices and the exchange of experiences, in order to generate better planning for the local levels.
In this way, the first in-person meeting of Salesian ITIs of America took place in Buenos Aires, after the previous meetings in 2022 and 2023 had all taken place digitally.
