"The new Statutes recover the meaning and action of the founding fathers and the promoting body. It is not a formal question, but a substantial one, because it concerns the identity of our association, a single national and territorial identity diversified for the social mission, " said Fr Francesco Preite, President of Salesians for Social, adding that "Our strength is to be united in respect of territorial specificities."
To help understand the new role of the association and the transition to the configuration as an associative network, Prof. Antonio Fici, Professor of Private Law in Rome Tor Vergata and Scientific Director of Terzjus, also explained the new legal personality. "‘Salesians for the Social’ is already an associative network, well spread and active in the territory, and today it takes up an official role."
The new Statutes of the associative network recognise and promote places for meeting and participation, for thinking and culture, proposals and action: "We must take seriously the possibilities that the Statutes offer us to well organise these spaces for participation. The education of young people in politics, understood as a service for the common good, also passes through these spaces, which must be cared for and accompanied," Fr. Francesco Preite said.
Precisely for this reason, the second day of the assembly had a discussion between the young people of the Youth Forum of "Salesians for the Social" and three guests at its centre: Fr Rafael Bejarano, In charge of Social Works and Services, Migrants and Volunteers for the Youth Ministry Sector; Giovanna Bruno, Mayor of Andria, Salesian Cooperator; and Leonardo Becchetti, Professor of Political Economy at the University of Rome Tor Vergata.
The three guests were asked to share their experiences of life, work and service. "Human beings, in order to live, can only be generative," said Prof. Becchetti, answering the their questions. For Fr Bejarano, the "true dream is to work in a network and support the laity more and more." Mayor Bruno, on the other hand, recalling the pivot of her political activity that lies in attention to people, invited young people not to be afraid to take care of public affairs.
The meeting ended with the presentation of the financial statement, the budget, the social budget, presented in paper form and through video and the activities planned for next year.
