The meeting was organised by the Regional Councillor for Europe and the Middle East, Valerio Martorana, and Alessandro Pensabene, responsible for Young Past Pupils (GEx), also involving Fr Joan Lluis Playà, Central Delegate of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family Secretariat, and Fr Roman Jachimowicz, General Councillor for North and Central Europe.
President Magro made official the dates for convening the Extraordinary World Assembly to be held in Turin from 3 to 6 October 2024 on the theme: “Let's Walk Together: Change to Continue”; all national Federations will have time to discuss and present amendments to modify the statutes of the Confederation; discussion has already begun at the European level and it will be necessary to understand what to change and what to continue in order to maintain the activities that each Federation carries out.
During the three-day discussion, the European Past Pupils leaders discussed topics such as ecology, migration and the management of European funds to enable the attraction and mobility of young people; raising the age of the young Past Pupils from the current 30 to 35 years, so as to ensure such a presence in the decision-making bodies of the Federations; enhancing and increasing the involvement of Past Pupils in the Salesian Family's Spirituality Days which will be held in Turin from 18 to 21 January 2024.
The Salesians of Don Bosco World Delegate for the Past Pupils, Bro. Dominic Duc Nam Nguyen, SDB, urged participants to develop their presence in the areas in which they operate, through spirituality, mission and solidarity that must lead at every level to a synodal journey, starting from the Strenna of the Rector Major.
The representatives of the Federations presented their reports in a fraternal and friendly atmosphere, and shared their hopes and challenges for the future, reinforcing their commitment to helping the movement grow in the region and increasing the involvement of young people.
“This regional meeting has shown that the Past Pupils and friends of Don Bosco are vibrant” the World President Bryan Magro said. “We have very strong organisations in this region that are active and trying to achieve the goals of our association. It is clear that we have great potential and can continue to grow. I know that in the future we will strengthen our presence in many countries and provinces.”
The world presidency was there with Bryan Magro, President; Dominic Duc Nam Nguyen, World Delegate; Valerio Martorana, Regional Councillor for Europe and the Middle East; Peter Kovac, Secretary General; Celso Noguiera, Treasurer; Alessandro Pensabene, GEx Head of Europe and the Middle East.
With regard to the European delegations represented, the following should be noted for their presence: Giovanni Costanza, President, Fr Antonio D’Angelo, SDB Delegate, and Silvia Simonato, responsible for GEX in Italy; Fr Eric Haelvoet, SDB Delegate for Belgium North; Vedrana Civijn and Kajinic Mayìja, for Croatia ; Bernard O’Neil, for England; Marton Csany, President, and Hanna Lili Adorjan, responsible for GEX in Hungary; Stefan Farrugia, Vice President, Fr Jake Mamo, Delegate, and Valerie Vella, responsible for GEX in Malta; Krzisztof Ciaranek, Coordinator, and Bartosz Fedorowicz for Poland; Robert Mruk, President, Fr Pavol Grach, SDB Delegate, and Janna Synak responsible for GEX in Slovakia; Diego Aragon, President, and Fr Eusebio Martínez, Delegate for Spain; Fr Oleh Ladnyu, Delegate, and Mykhailo Dziubii for Ukraine.
