Italy – SYM Youth Forum: "Behold, I Make All Things New – Restorative Justice and Second Chances"

24 February 2025

Arese, Italy – February 2025 – The 2025 Youth Forum of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) has just concluded with great enthusiasm and participation. Held on February 15-16 at the Salesian center "San Domenico Savio" in Arese, the event brought together young people aged 18 to 30 from Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Switzerland, and San Marino to discuss the theme "Behold, I Make All Things New – Restorative Justice and Second Chances." The Forum, organized to foster dialogue and witness, provided two days of discussions emphasizing the importance of hope and redemption, even in the most difficult circumstances. The choice of Arese as the venue was symbolic, as the site has transformed from a juvenile correctional facility into a Vocational Training and Life Guidance Center, reinforcing the event’s message: redemption is possible, both from external and internal prisons.

 

The first day began with the screening of the film "Io spero paradiso," (I hope for heaven) which explores the challenges of the Italian prison system. Present at the screening were the director of the film Daniele Pignatelli and Cristiano, an inmate and one of the film’s protagonists, who shared their experiences and reflections. In the evening, a moving itinerant vigil was held.

On Sunday, a roundtable discussion featured experts in the field: Maria Angela Torrente, lawyer and professor of juvenile law; Silvio Di Gregorio, Director of Opera Prison; and Fr. Marco Recalcati, chaplain of San Vittore Prison. This profound and enriching discussion provided a concrete and multidisciplinary perspective on restorative justice. The day continued with group work sessions and testimonies from associations dedicated to social reintegration, such as "Sesta Opera – San Fedele."

The event concluded with a Mass celebrated by Fr. Erino Leoni, Vice Provincial of the Salesian Province of Lombardy-Emilia (ILE).

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