(ANS – Valdocco) – The fruitful experience of the “International Discussions on Salesian Life,” which for over 40 years has accompanied the reflection and study of members of the Salesian Family, will be changing its name next time round to become: “Salesian Forum – Education, pastoral care, spirituality: yesterday, today, and tomorrow.”

The International Discussions began in Europe in 1968, as a meeting of Salesians with a good academic background and interested in studying Don Bosco  and Salesian life, so as to be able to offer contributions to the solution of practical problems connected with the life of communities. From 1973 the Seminars were also open to Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), Volunteers of Don Bosco and Salesians-Cooperators.

At the end of  the 26th International Discussion on Salesian life held in Berlin  between 25 and 27 August 2011, the need was seen to consider updating these study sessions considered by all those taking part - Salesians, FMA and lay people - to be an important formative experience for the various European Provinces.

The animation team proposed the change of name and identified the aims of the Forum:

1. to promote the Salesian formation of the participants by organizing    dialogue and collaboration between people in Europe who reflect on the   Salesian tradition;
2. to encourage systematic reflection - among scholars and people working   in the field -about all aspects of the Salesian tradition (education,    pastoral care, spirituality);
3. to contribute to a consistent update of the Salesian educational pastoral   project;
4. to distribute the results of reflection and study;
5. to promote the dialogue between the reflection of SDB and FMA on the   preventive system;
6. to contribute to the success of the European project.

Following the experience of the Discussions, the Forum will also maintain a certain degree of autonomy, while always seeking to cultivate collaboration between Salesians and the FMA. Meetings will be organised every two years having as the official languages Italian and English and will held at the well-known Salesian places (alternating between Valdocco, Colle Don Bosco and Mornese). The Ist Salesian Forum is planned for 27-30 August 2013 at Valdocco, on the subject “How to practise reason in education.”

The present animation group of the Salesian Forum is composed of Fr Carlo Loots SDB, Fr Dariusz Grzadziel SDB and Fr Michal Vojtáš SDB; Sr Mara Borsi FMA and Colette Schaumont, a dedicated layperson.

Published 10/09/2012