(ANS – Guwahati) – The Salesian Provincials of South Asia, the heads of the various Commissions of the Region and the Directors of Provincial Development Offices met together at Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati on 3rd and 4th April 2013 to study and draw up a Roadmap for the progress of the youth ministry of the Salesians of this region.
 
The keynote address in view of this exercise termed "Vision Building Meeting", was given by Fr. Maria Arokiam Kanaga, the Regional Councillor for South Asia. Explaining the purpose of the meeting he exhorted everyone to think out of the box in drawing up the roadmap for youth ministry in South Asia. He pointed out to certain areas of importanace to be re-examined with regard to the mission and services to the youth, especially the target group, the areas of ministry, and the quality and span of youth animation.
 
Two addional inputs were provided by experts in youth work, viz. Mr Amitab Behar, Director of National Foundation of India, and Fr. Jerry Thomas SDB, Director of College of Social Work, Jorhat (Assam).
 
The group of 47, who worked at the document expressed their intent for the Salesians to strive to grow into a united and credible youth work agency in South Asia and a reference point for the young at various levels.
 
The following are some of the salient points of the Roadmap drawn up for the Salesians of the region who are about 2600:

• to increase attention to the youth of 18 to 30 age-group;
• to strive to provide quality education also to the youth from poorer and rural sections of society;
• to shift focus from institution building to creating youth spaces in relevant forms;
• to make services like counseling and career guidance an integral part of youth services;
• to set up a regional research and documentation centre to strengthen Youth Ministry in the region;
• to be part of community movements, networks and advocacy campaigns for human rights and probity in public life, to ensure dignity of life and safe environments for youth;
• to include lay persons as equal partners in ministry;
• to re-design the formation and training of Salesians to respond adequately to the increasing demands of their ministry.

Presenting the finalized document Fr. Maria Arokiam said that it is not a finalized vision statement concerning all the aspects of Salesian life, but “a Roadmap of inspiration and guidance for renewal and progress in our youth ministry in keeping with the times and in preparation also for the General Chapter”.

The Vision Builiding Meeting was followed by the Salesian Provincial Conference of South Asia (SPCSA) annual General Assembly and Council Meeting, on 5th and 6th April.

Published 09/04/2013