The event was held with the aim of enhancing opportunities for formation, interaction, discussion, sharing and collaborative construction of proposals that contribute to innovation in the (edu)communication processes of the Network.

On the morning of the first day, the Provincials who are reference persons for communication, Sister Maria Carmelita de Lima Conceição, for the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, and Fr Francisco Inácio Vieira Júnior, for the Salesians, held a reflection on Don Bosco's childhood dream, and the National Coordinator of Communication of the RSB, Sister Maike Loes, prepared the framework of the meeting, recalling the dynamics and theme of ENAC I (May 2023).

The first talk of the day was on "Don Bosco's dream:  charism, communication and mission", held by the Dean of the Faculty of Social Communication Sciences at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome, Fr Fabio Pasqualetti.

In his address  he focused on the reasons that led Don Bosco to write up his dream at nine years of age as a last will and testament, and on the subsequent studies carried out precisely to understand the teachings behind the great narrative of the dream. With this dream Don Bosco's field of action, the purpose of his apostolic activity and his educational method become clear: the Preventive System. Through a historical journey, Fr Pasqualetti showed that "everything has changed" in society, but Don Bosco's dream and the oratory continue to be current and respond to the educational needs of the new generations.

After a moment of virtual debate and interaction, the national coordinators of the School, Social Assistance and Communication program areas of the RSB – Sister Lucia Jacinta Finassi, Carolina Neves de Oliveira and Sister Loes  respectively– gave their contribution on the theme "The realisation of the dream at 9 years of age in the presence of the Salesian Network Brazil" from the point of view of the dimensions they are responsible for.

The first day ended with a discussion on the "Manifesto to young people", a document drawn up on the occasion of the RSB National Meeting (Aparecida 2023), which recalls, in the first point, the commitment to "live and recover the experience of the courtyard in its various manifestations where young people meet, such as social networks...".

An address entitled "The digital continent, a game where friends win each other over with love and charity", by Sister Mercedes Méndez Siliuto, Head of Communication of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Assumption (Spain), opened the second day of work.

Sister highlighted the expressions of the Dream and Pope Francis' message for World Communications Day 2024, associating them with the theme of wisdom of the heart. She also indicated the beauty-goodness-truth triad as guiding criteria for a quality presence on social networks and for edu-communication to be effective. And she concluded her address with an invitation: "Let's found houses in the digital continent: not isolated presences, but a ’Salesian us’. Educators and students, together, this is truly being a Salesian presence in the digital continent."

After the break, a second address from the Secretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, Bishop Lucio Adrian Ruiz, had as its theme "Digital, from instrument to culture: a challenge for the Church. A vision starting from ‘A full presence’”.

Bishop Ruiz presented a historical overview of the Church's vision in the media, emphasising that they are not simple tools, but a culture to be evangelised. He spoke on topics such as inculturation, the missionary dynamic of the Church and the presence of the Church in the digital continent.

The prelate, responsible for drafting the main document of the Holy See on the subject – "Towards a full presence. Pastoral reflection on engagement with social media", insisted on the need to "move from technology to kerygma, to the first announcement, because technology is the activity, while kerygma is the essence", as "digital culture is a space for evangelisation and mission."

Raimundo Marcelo Maciel, member of the National Commission for Salesian Youth Ministry, then provided some insights into the issues dealt with from a pastoral perspective, highlighting his experience with the Yanomami people and the arrival of the Internet in the indigenous mission of Maturacá, district of S. Gabriel da Cachoeira.

In the conclusions of the assembly, Sister Loes drew a brief parallel between the document "Towards a full presence", of the Vatican Dicastery for Communications, and the "Manifesto to young people" of the RSB. Both documents emphasise that "young people ask to be found where they are, including on social networks" and that it is necessary "to understand young people from the place where they are and want to be found."

The participants in ENAC II farewelled each other by leaving a task and mission to be accomplished: "living social networks in a Salesian way, moving from dream to reality, without ceasing to dream: dreaming and working for the present and the future of children, adolescents and young people who every day pass through the gates and doors [...] of our presences", Sister Loes concluded.

• Title Title
• Title Title
•  

Tweet