“Voices” is the innovative project promoted by the Social Communication Sector of the Salesian Congregation, led by Fr Gildasio Mendes, to listen to and to amplify the silent and unheard cries of young people, and respond to them as a Sector, providing them with the platform, support and accompaniment they need. It takes its cue from the appeals launched by Pope Francis through the Global Pact for Education and the Synod on Synodality, and from the Programmatic Proposal of the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, at the end of the 28th General Chapter.
This programme specifically aims to accompany and empower people, institutions and actions that develop communication initiatives in areas of social vulnerability and that are themselves capable of transforming those local realities, positively affecting the lives of people linked to the Salesian presences.
“We want to open a Circle of Word for Indigenous Peoples in Cambodia, to those whose voices are often ignored, silenced or attacked through discrimination and social injustice. In our ancestral spiritualities of indigenous peoples from around the world, we believe that sitting down in a circle, where all are the same, equal and open to wisdom, our ancestors participate also. The Word created the world (John 1, 1) and the Word can heal us all too” Fr Albeiro Rodas, Director of Don Bosco Kep, states.
“For this reason, we want to invite representatives of each indigenous people in Cambodia and, if possible, representatives from other indigenous peoples of Asia. We call two persons from every indigenous group: A young person and an elder. Both will represent tradition and a look into the future, with hope and courage. We want to create a sacred place, where we can meet our ancestors, our siblings and the Holy Spirit” he added.
“Voices” will take place at the Don Bosco Kep social communication centre of the Cambodian Delegation, THA Province, around the topic of indigenous peoples and environment. Young people and elders from 10 Cambodian indigenous communities, will gather at the Don Bosco Kep Campus to share their voices on topics such as indigenous identity, ancestral values and wisdom worthy of revival for our time, the importance of the indigenous languages preservation, protection and revival and the relation between the care for the Common Home and the empowerment of indigenous peoples in the context of climate change, violence, exploitation of minorities and the rising of a technocracy around the world.
During the first day, the indigenous delegations, which include students of the Don Bosco technical school, plan to open the program with a circle of word and the sharing, where everybody is welcomed and appreciated in a sense of family, the blessing of the Don Bosco's territory as an ancestral land, in the context of the Strenna 2024, “‘The dream that makes you dream’. A heart that transforms ‘wolves’ into ‘lambs’”.
