(ANS - Berlin)- Nearly 30 people, including directors and consultants of Salesian communities of eleven European countries, met from 12 to 14 November in Berlin to discuss the topic "(New) suffering of young people in Europe – the Salesian Response?"  Among those present was the Economer General of the Congregation, Bro. Jean Paul Muller, SDB who commented: "The European way of life must become a place where young people are heard."

The conference was the first meeting of a long-term process.  It was promoted by the Province of Germany, led by Fr Josef Grünner, and had as its objective to assess the opportunities for collaboration between Salesians of different countries, to make better use of existing resources, to join forces and learn from each other’s ideas and experiences.

The participants spoke about their work with marginalized children and young people in Europe. There were reports on projects in Spain, Hungary, Ireland, Belgium, Turkey and Germany, and an account of the work of the Salesian centre in Berlin where the conference was held.

The Economer General said that if Salesians and their collaborators want to carry out a successful work of advocacy on behalf of the young in Europe and elsewhere, they need to contniue the good work they are already doing and, at the same time, “explore new areas of cooperation”. The process is no longer just about       individual issues in one Province or another, but about the reasons for our work. Only if we succeed in bringing the situation of young people into politics, and developing a comprehensive youth ministry in the community, will we be able to make the "European way of life," a place where young people are heard.

There were some concrete suggestions for future collaboration.  In addition to a regular exchange of ideas, we need joint measures for the qualification and training of employees, joint funding, and youth movements that reach across borders.

The Vice-Provincial of Germany, Fr Franz-Ulrich Otto, who chaired the meeting, said he was very pleased with the results. "From my point of view, the most interesting thing is the variety of approaches and projects. For example, we have seen how some pastoral contacts with young people are made through the parish, others are done on the streets, in meetings with young unemployed people, refugees, children and young nomads".

Published 19/11/2014