RMG - Online meeting of the Salesian publishers of America
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22 September 2020

(ANS - Rome) - From 17 to 19 September 2020 the meeting of the Salesian publishers of the America South Cone and Interamerica regions took place via videoconference. It brought together those in charge for the sector from Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, Chile, Argentina. The event was chaired by Fr Gildásio Mendes dos Santos, General Councilor for Social Communication, with presentations by Fr Hugo Orozco, Councilor for the Interamerica Region, and Fr Gabriel Romero, Councilor for the America South Cone Region. Also present was Marta Palomares, coordinator of the Salesian publishers in Europe.

Current significant practices were shared during the meeting. The digitalization of processes and products, as well as the economic and financial challenges to face the current crisis are part of the sector's scenario, which was highlighted during the presentations. At the same time, the opportunity to innovate and be a meaningful response to cultural, social and ecclesiastical challenges was highlighted.

With the aim of broadening the meaning of communication for the Congregation, they worked on a work tool prepared by the General Councilor for Social Communication, Fr Gildásio Mendes dos Santos. The document also received contributions from the communication delegates, the heads of the Salesian radios and the newsletters. This has helped to make communication understood not only as a technical dimension, but as a process in which publishing activity is inscribed.

On the second day, Antonio Garrido, general manager of Edebé in Spain, presented the opportunities for the publishing world, with which to work in this period marked by Covid-19. He also illustrated some strategies, such as the formation of the staff of publishing houses, which go beyond mere technological updating, to favoring the change towards digital culture and taking advantage of new marketing channels such as e-commerce and the development of virtual learning.

The participants also worked on the programmatic proposal of the Rector Major and in particular on the two priority proposals of the communication delegates of the American continent. The publishing houses have been conceived on three levels: local, through inclusion in programming; provincial, as a tool for dialogue with POIs and PEPS; and continental, for collaborative and networking actions between publishing houses.

At various moments of the meeting, Fr Hugo Orozco, Councilor for the Interamerica Region, and Fr Gabriel Romero, Councilor for the America South Cone Region, also participated.

In his final message, Fr Gildasio underscored that "communication is prophecy, it is a prophetic attitude for today and for tomorrow." Also, he invited to consider the different dimensions of publishing, beyond the graphic and technical aspects, such as the dimension of the "charismatic intangible heritage, the heritage of the people, the management heritage."

by Mercedes T. Baxzos

InfoANS

ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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