Rome, Italy - 2 August 2024 - After the opening ceremony, the first working session of "Shaping Tomorrow" saw the intervention of one of the central coordinators of this World Communication Conference, Fr Fabio Pasqualetti, Dean of the Faculty of Social Communication at the Salesian Pontifical University. He spoke on the topic 'Epochal Changes: Digital Culture and Artificial Intelligence', illustrating the elements of today's communication. In the face of the technical, anthropological, educational, social and political challenges it entails, Fr Pasqualetti proposed effective communication processes and solutions for the Church and the Salesian Family, starting from a reflection on Christian identity today and the communicative capacity of a witness based on coherence and credibility, as well as - in response to today's multicultural and social reality - on dialogue and merciful action. Thus, in conclusion, quoting Pope Francis, the Dean of the FSC recalled the purpose of communication to be at the service of human encounter. He further explained the theme in today’s context of young people to be different from the times of Don Bosco, as well as in the past 30 years. Speaking of Salesian context of Social communications, Fr Pasqualetti recalled the theme of last General chapter; ‘What kind of Salesian for today’ in the context of the new language of communication and the difficulties on communications today between family, society and Church.
Rome, Italy - August 2024 - More than 150 delegates and social communication experts gathered in the morning of Friday, 2 August 2024 at the inauguration of the World Conference on Social Communication "Shaping Tomorrow", promoted by the Social Communication Sector of the Salesian Congregation and the Faculty of Social Communication Sciences of the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS). Those present, gathered at the Aula Magna of the UPS, were able to listen to the welcome messages and introductory speeches by Fr Maciej Makuła, main coordinator of the event; of the Rector Magnificus of UPS, Fr Andrea Bozzolo; of Fr Gildasio Mendes, General Councillor for Social Communication; and finally of the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime.
(ANS – Rome) – In the presence of the Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, the World Conference on Social Communication "Shaping Tomorrow" began on time at 9 a.m. on 2 August 2024 in the Aula Magna of the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS). In the room full of Delegates and communication experts from all over the Salesian world, the first messages of greeting and direction of the work resounded. "I am convinced that the digital world today is one of the indispensable challenges for the Congregation", the 10th Successor of Don Bosco shared in his introductory address.
(ANS – Rome) – After so much waiting, whole months of preparation and an increasingly intense work of attention to detail in recent weeks, the World Social Communication Conference organised by the Sector for Social Communication of the Salesian Congregation and the Faculty of Social Communication Sciences of the UPS, entitled "Shaping Tomorrow", is finally about to start in Rome at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS). As scheduled, today, the first day, is dedicated to receiving and welcoming participants from all over the world, while the official opening will take place on Friday, 2 August 2024.
(ANS – Rome) – Everything is now ready for "Shaping Tomorrow", the World Communication Conference scheduled from tomorrow 1 August 2024, until Wednesday 7th, at the facilities of the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome, jointly organised by the Sector for Social Communication of the Salesian Congregation and the Faculty of Social Communication Sciences (FSC) of the UPS. The event, thanks to the contribution of speakers and experts in the sector, will address many topics central to today's communication and, through a series of outings and visits, will allow participants to have a rich and complete experience of significant appointments.
(ANS – Rome) – The 2024 Communication Conference, entitled "shaping tomorrow", will take place from 1 to 7 August 2024 at the facilities of the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome. It is an initiative of the Communication Sector of the Salesian Congregation and the Faculty of Social Communication Sciences at the UPS.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG – Fr Gildasio Mendes, General Councillor for Social Communication, talks about his two new books on Don Bosco
(ANS – Rome) – At the end of the International “Shaping Tomorrow” Communication Conference (Rome, 1-7 August 2024), the General Councillor for Social Communication, Fr Gildasio Mendes, publicly presented his most recent two literary works, both dedicated to Don Bosco and motivated by the bicentenary of the latter’s famous Dream at Nine Years of Age. They are As seeing him who is invisible and Parallels 15 and 20. Today he shows us in detail the meaning and perspectives of the two books.
EDITORIAL
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Myanmar – Tragedy of Innocent Children in the midst of Armed Conflicts
(ANS – Naypyidaw) - Myanmar finds itself immersed in profound grief and anguish as innocent lives, particularly those of children, continue to be mercilessly lost in the enduring armed conflicts. Families are left devastated by the tragic loss of their loved ones while the relentless violence shows no signs of abating. This week, a heartfelt plea from Myanmar reached our community, shedding light on the heart-wrenching death of a young girl Juliet in a military airstrike, prompting a unified call for prayers and action.
EVENTS
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Italy – The chapel of the relics at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin celebrates 90 years and celebrates them with an exhibition on the Shroud
(ANS – Turin) – Again this year, on 14 September, on the occasion of the liturgical feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and the day of the Opening of the Crypt, the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Turin hosted an evening dedicated to the Shroud,, as part of the "Culture in the Basilica" exhibition, entitled "The Shroud: witness of great love".
SPECIAL REPORTS
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RMG – 100 years of Salesian holiness in the shadow of Mary: 8 September 2024 in Slovenia and Slovakia
(ANS – Rome) – Don Bosco was a great lover of Our Lady and the "thread" of her strong and discreet presence as a mother, teacher and helper, never failed for each of her children. It is therefore not surprising that so much Salesian holiness is also interwoven with very deep bonds with Mary: every Servant of God, every Blessed and Saint of the Salesian Family has a special, sometimes all-encompassing bond with her, as it was for Fr Silvio Galli, SDB, or Sister Antonietta Böhm, FMA. This 2024 is also marked by two anniversaries directly connected to some figures of Salesian holiness: those of the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Raknovik, Ljubljana, consecrated on 8 September 1924, and that of the arrival in 1924 of the Salesians at the national Marian Shrine in Šaštín, Slovakia, dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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On WINGS of HOPE
THE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Father Stefano Martoglio
While continuing my service as Vicar in the coming months, quietly, very simply, and completely in continuity, I’ll replace the Rector Major in leading the Congregation to the General Chapter, the 29th, in February 2025.