The meeting opened with a prayer to our Blessed Mother. In his introductory words, Fr. Gildásio expressed his appreciation to the “Great Team” for their dedication and support to the Social Communications ministry. He highlighted the importance of digital transformation, the process of Pastoral Planning, and the organization and coordination as a team. Fr. Mendes spotlighted the fact that the Salesian delegates for Social Communication are moving forward with the implementation of the third priority from the Rector Major's Action Programme from GC28. A special announcement was made about the launching of ISCAI (International Salesian Council for Artificial Intelligence), which Fr. Mendes described as “a Salesian response to the fast-evolving AI ecosystem.”
The regional coordinators then shared updates and plans from their respective regions. Fr. Rigobert spoke of communication strategies for peace and ecology in the Africa-Madagascar region, highlighting the importance of formation for confreres, lay mission partners, and young people, as well as the increased awareness of communication instruments and mobile journalism.
Fr Marcin Wosiek shared about the many languages, the quest to learn at the upcoming Conference and the need to promote the General Chapter. He also inquired about what the future holds for the delegates and the coordinator as planning for the Salesian Bulletin and other programs need to be done. Fr Javier Valiente shared about the diversity and different realities in each province, the development of AI and the work of coordination that exists amidst the provinces.
From the Americas, Fr. Juan Pablo Abreu highlighted the work of the coordinators in the different countries regarding the Salesian Bulletin, Publishing Houses, and Radio stations, and his efforts to coordinate, network, and move forward.
Fr Ambrose Pereira shared about the initiatives and the growth of coordination in the East Asia Oceania Region. “After the Voices program in Thailand, Fr Albeiro Rodas SDB, Don Bosco Kep, Cambodia, organized joint formation, training, and sharing of indigenous cultures. These have been held in collaboration with the participation of the Southeast Asian countries. The Namuncurá Short Film Festival is now being planned to dwell on ancestral territories” he said. Translations of the documents of the congregation in several provinces have received a boost with the support of Fr Julian Fox, and an upgrade of the Boscolink and AustraLasia website was discussed.
Fr Ernest Rosario, SDB, through a detailed presentation spoke of the programs and events held in the South Asia Region. The Voices program, BOSCOM executive meeting, BIS reporting news workshops, Digital forums held, DBGYFF awards, Coordination of the Music composers, Mobile Journalism workshop, a Media Conference, “Shepherds for a Digital Age”, etc. were presented. He also spoke of the challenges, and the plans to unite Salesians, Teachers, and students. He then briefed the members of the first International Salesian Commission for Artificial Intelligence (ISCAI) meeting held online on the 7th May. “The commission has been set up in an effort to stay relevant to the signs of the times, to reap the benefits of the fast-evolving AI technology and to empower the Salesian family and its beneficiaries with knowledge and tools and its ethical and moral principles”, he said.
In updating the members on the “Shaping Tomorrow” Conference, Fr Makula Maciej informed the members that the organization is progressing well and that there will be 130 to 150 participants. “Enrolment has been closed, the finalization of the keynote speakers done and we look forward to a fruitful meeting”, he said.
Members were then given other updates of DBGYFF Season 3 that is open to all young people between the ages of 14-25 years. Fr Harris Pakkam, encouraged all the coordinators to promote participation from their provinces, and organize the film festival at different venues. “The finale of the Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival is planned to be held in New York on the 18th October and we look forward to involving a big number of young people from all over the world”, he said.
In conclusion, Fr. Gildásio Mendes appreciated the networking and diversity of the seven regions, dealing with relevant issues and propelling the congregation forward. He referred to the DBGYFF, MoJo, and AI as “digital seeds that bring about a Digital Transformation.” He thanked all the coordinators for their efforts, commitment and initiatives in the field of communication. The meeting concluded with a prayer to Mary Help of Christians.
Fr Ambrose Pereira, SDB
