The coordinators from different regions shared updates on their programs, activities, and challenges. Highlights included the Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival (DBGYFF 2024), the Mobile Journalism Project, and the Shaping Tomorrow - International Social Communication Conference. A recurring theme was the need to adapt to evolving digital trends while maintaining a strong Salesian identity in social communications.
Fr Rigobert, representing the Africa Madagascar Region, spoke about the development of a communication plan for each province, the soon to be launched new regional web portal for the region.
From the South Asia Region, Fr Ernest Rosario shared updates from their annual meeting in Mumbai, highlighting plans for setting up a Regional Social Communication office for South Asia., a mobile journalism workshop, and a communication conference. He also announced the National Catholic Media Conference "Illuminair", which will take place in Bangalore.
Fr Paul Spiteri, is the new coordinator for Central Europe. He expressed his joy at this new responsibility and looks forward to coordinating programs in his region. He also appreciated the Shaping Tomorrow conference that was held earlier in Rome.
Fr Ambrose Pereira, representing the East Asia and Oceania regions, acknowledged the success of the Shaping Tomorrow Conference and looked forward to sessions on AI writing and translation services.
In Latin America, Fr Pablo Abreu SDB highlighted efforts to foster synergy around Don Bosco through Salesian music productions and shared updates on the Salesian Bulletin and Publishers Meeting.
The meeting also focused on enhancing visibility and support for Salesian social works in the Americas, with Fr João Carlos detailing preparations for the National Meeting of Salesian Radios and an upcoming pilgrimage to Salesian sites in Turin and Rome.
Fr Harris Pakkam provided updates on the Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival - Season 3, underscoring its focus on youth and climate change. He mentioned that the festival was not limited to Salesian institutions, and that many non Salesian institutions have also shown interest in screening the selected films this time. It is a source of pride for the congregation as it is a mammoth effort across the globe, he said.
Fr Maciej Makula shared on the Mobile Journalism project aimed at educating and motivating young people. He shared on the concept of "charism of digital missionaries" as introduced on the Synod on Synodality and looks forward to the training courses and training materials as they are in great demand.
Fr Gildásio expressed gratitude to all coordinators for their dedication and collaboration, reiterating the importance of keeping Salesian communication efforts aligned with modern trends while fostering a strong connection with young people worldwide. He also mentioned the upcoming launch of the Don Bosco Music platform. It is aimed at creating a global hub for Salesian music.
Additionally, Fr Ernest updated about the work in progress from the International Salesian Commission for Artificial Intelligence (ISCAI). It will be a short document offering a Salesian perspective on Artificial Intelligence (AI). It will focus on the definition of AI, its uses, challenges, and some possible projects and proposals.
The meeting concluded with words of appreciation for the achievements, support, and encouragement that have made these global initiatives possible.
Fr Ambrose Pereira
