(ANS - Brasilia) – RESAS is the Salesian National Network for Social Action. It is holding its Eighth National Meeting in Brasilia from 25 to 27 July. Representatives of more than fifty Salesian social works are meeting to reflect on "the identity and meaning of RESAS: at national, provincial and local level."

The meeting will have about 110 participants, including directors and managers of social works run by the Salesians, as well as the Provincial Coordinators of RESAS and various guests.

An important element of this 2014 Meeting is the participation of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. This means that  all six provinces of the Salesians and nine of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Brazil will be represented at the meeting.

Another point to note is the participation of the lay people who increasingly share responsibility for Salesian social work. This is reflected in the numbers at the meeting: 59% of the delegates present are lay people and only 41% are religious. In total fifty-five towns or cities from eighteen states of Brazil are represented.

The theme of the meeting will take into account four specific objectives:

• To consolidate the Salesian Network for Social Action,   strengthening its Salesian charismatic identity and its organization.
• To promote integration and organization of RESAS in the country.
• To bring about collaboration between local coordinators in reinforcing the identity of the RESAS.
• To draw up programmes to strengthen Salesian Ministry in RESAS.

To this end, the meeting will include conferences and workshops, followed by group discussions, in which participants can discuss issues and plan practical activities to be implemented, starting from the month of August.

RESAS organizes annual meetings at national level to promote the exchange of experiences and sharing reflections on Salesian social action in the country.

Published 25/07/2014