The following topics were discussed: the renewal of the Framework on the school sector and university residences; the mental health manual for educators, ‘Recognising accompanying the mental health of young people’; the document on the protection of minors and vulnerable adults, which brings together the mapping of province documents, document analysis and the safeguarding system; the revision of the manual ‘Suggestions for an ecological conversion in Salesian works’.

The research on ‘social-emotional well-being in Salesian schools in Europe’ was also presented: 30,278 surveys from a total of 134 schools in 14 different countries. The aim was to assess both the subjective component of well-being and the ability of individuals to manage their emotions. In this sense, the group shared the developments of the Don Bosco International Assembly held last week and the development process of Don Bosco Tech Europe. They discussed the upcoming meeting of the Board of Directors of Salesian Institutions of Higher Education (IUS) on 24 February and the meeting of IUS in Europe on 3 and 4 April in Barcelona.

The team explored the sector's new Digital Library, a ‘documentation centre’ for Provincials and Youth Ministry Delegates, with the primary objective of sharing resources related to Salesian youth work.

Some updates were offered regarding the Youth Jubilee 2025: registration for members of the World Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) and the programme for the days; the SYM reception and participation form; the participation fee for the World SYM reception; catechesis, confessions and animation; the online coordination meeting on 22 February 2025.

Lastly, the relevance of handing over to the Central Salesian Archives (ASC) the important documents of the Sector was discussed, which will serve for posterity to know the choices made during the period and to enrich the memory of the Congregation and the Church.

There was discussion on how much it is still necessary to develop and support the operative capacity of the Provinces. ‘As a Sector, many reflections were offered on our educative and -pastoral action,’ observed the General Councillor for Youth Ministry, Fr Miguel Angel García Morcuende. ’However, the greater space given to reflection must be an enrichment and not a replacement for practical commitment in the Provinces. It is important, along with the ideas offered, to develop the corresponding operational skills. The question is how to motivate and revisit pastoral choices in the future, e.g. the correct choice of the Youth Ministry Delegate, the implications of the evangelising and educational choice in schools, the value and consequences of the Provincial's pastoral mindset. But beyond the objectives, it seems that in the pastoral animation of a province, governance decisions, that is, pastoral orientations and field choices, are very influential'.

Speaking of programming for the next six years, the possibility was expressed of experimenting in some fields with planning of joint initiatives between Sectors. ‘We must learn to plan common paths together, in which teamwork, collaboration, mutual integration and common initiatives find a harmonious place,’ concluded the General Councillor.

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