The program began with a moment of prayer, followed by a welcome by Fr. João Carlos Ribeiro, Delegate for Social Communications of the Salesian Province of Brazil-Recife (BRE), who then introduced the theme "Educating and Evangelizing in the Digital Environment." In his reflection, Fr. Ribeiro touched on several points, including the relationship of young people with social networks, the latter’s healthy use, new digital courtyards, and tools allied to education. He also explained that this reflection will also guide the next provincial communication meeting, which will be held on April 1 and 2 at the Salesian Work of São Sebastião, in Jaboatão dos Guararapes.
Building on the last meeting of Salesian radio stations in northeastern Brazil, held in attendance last year in Juazeiro, the representatives presented the steps taken in each area, starting with the following commitments that were confirmed:
- Thinking about the provincial platform for joint work
- Working with the same commercial information system (SIC)
- Standardize the layout and design of websites
- Clarify the programming concept of the congregation's broadcasters
- Foster journalistic collaborations among broadcasters and with the Missionary Association "Amanhecer" (AMA)
- Maintain the exchange of general administrative experiences, with special attention to the Friends Club and Cultural Support
- Continue the collaboration with Banco Santander
- Continue with joint broadcasts and allow rebroadcasting by community radio stations.
- Create new ways to acquire and control expenses
- Curate the project of communication workshops in schools
- Create a financial project for the improvement of facilities and present it to the congregation.
After this reminder, it was time to announce the National Salesian Radio Meeting, scheduled for September 23-24 in the city of Brasilia, which will have a rich program of activities and bring together a large parterre of experts and speakers. Also presented at the conclusion of the meeting were the revamped "Don Bosco Youth Global Film Festival" website, the Salesian Pilgrimage to Turin 2024, and the Campaign for New Subscriptions to the Daily Provincial Newsletter, "Nordeste Hoje."
"The meeting was an opportune time to assess progress and share what each station is already working on for 2023. We also took the opportunity to exchange ideas on market trends and to anticipate the Salesian events that will take place this year. It was very nice to meet again with colleagues from radio stations. I look forward to attending the national meeting in September," said Jocasta Pimentel, of "FM Dom Bosco" in Fortaleza.
"The meeting was timely, revealing or sharing experiences already started and successful than what was proposed in previous meetings. It also served as motivation and stimulus to persevere and make possible other recommendations, especially those concerning the application of network journalism in our radio stations," concluded Wilson Firmo, Director of "Radio Amanhecer."
