Called together, as on other occasions, by the two Youth Ministry Departments, representatives of the Schools and Vocational Training Centres in 10 European countries - Spain, Portugal, Italy, France South Belgium Great Britain, Ireland, Poland, Austria and Croatia – enjoyed the welcome prepared by the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Ireland.
There were two items on the agenda for the three days: the identity and the future prospects for the Consultative Committee, after its 12 years existence, as a means of animation and assistance to the two Youth Ministry Departments for the Salesian schools and vocational training centres in Europe and the preparations for the IV Congress for European Salesian Schools due to take place at Sanlúcar la Mayor (Seville) between 25 and 28 February 2010.
The Committee set out to discuss and to strengthen the idea of a common identity and mission for the Salesian school, looking at the plan of a profile of Salesian educators, initiating a process of continuous formation and assessment for the educators. The main line of thinking starts from the consideration of the fact that in Europe cultural, economic and therefore social changes, are forcing us towards a new educational paradigm. Those present recognised the need to delineate the new profile of the educator in a Salesian school/vocational training centre in Europe and at the same time, as part of the profile of the educator there need to be preserved personal, professional, Christian and Salesian qualities.
Changes in society, in the world of education and in particular in the mission of the school and the demands arising from the Mission Statement of the Salesian Schools in Europe adopted at the last Congress held in Krakow will be the main items on the agenda of the next meeting at Sanlúcar where there will be concentration on the attempt to define the profile of the Salesian educator in the Salesian school in Europe and on the drawing up of the basis of a formation plan in line with previous approaches.
At the end of the meeting Fr Juan Carlos Godoy, the one responsible for the organisation of the Spanish Congress, explained the logistics for welcoming the 220 participants expected.
Published 17/07/2009
