Participants included educators, professionals affiliated with the Salesians, and a notable presence from the psychotherapy and social work fields, including representatives from the "National Students’ Support Services Dept," the "Secretariat for Catholic Education," and State and NGO representatives working with minors and asylum seekers.
The symposium, inaugurated by Fr. Eric Cachia, Rector, served as a platform for initiating dialogues, sharing insights, and inspiring actions aimed at empowering those on the fringes of society. The theme "Echoes of a Dream" encapsulated the profound impact St. Patrick's has had on numerous lives, emphasizing how the Salesian ethos with vulnerable minors could potentially become a national paradigm for education and residential care at the state level.
Keynote speakers, including Dr. Audrey Agius, a Gestalt Psychotherapist and Coordinator of the Psycho-social team at St. Patrick's; Dr. Stephanie Borg Bugeja, an Educational Psychologist at St. Patrick's and a lecturer at the University of Malta; and Rev. Dr. Paul Formosa, the Provincial of the Salesians in Malta and a Gestalt Psychotherapist, shared insights on resilience, giving voice, and the Salesian educational system, respectively.
The symposium also benefited from the presence of Mr. Evarist Bartolo, the former Minister of Education and former Minister for Foreign Affairs, who moderated the roundtable discussion, adding a wealth of experience to the event.
Themes explored during the symposium ranged from challenges in the Maltese community due to political shifts to the role of the Salesian Preventive System in preparing students for a post-COVID world. The emphasis on aligning Maltese education with the experiences of Don Bosco underscored the core values of the institution.
The discussions addressed diverse topics, including the challenges faced by schools and residential facilities, discrepancies between practice and policy in learning centers, and a comparison of the Salesian educational system with others in a secular context.
The symposium advocated for a shift toward a more accountable and collaborative model in education. Integrating school autonomy with quality assurance mechanisms was highlighted as crucial, ensuring a person-oriented approach to education and residential care.
"Echoes of a Dream" transcended being a mere event; it served as a call to action—a collective endeavor to create a world where every child, irrespective of circumstances, can dream, aspire, be heard, and realize their fullest potential.
