austraLasia #2336


St Francis de Sales, Communications and the Salesian Family

ROME (and a few other places as well!):  24th January 2009 -- We cannot let the Feast of St Francis of Sales go by without highlighting at least some of the events that are marking it around the Salesian world, many of these being communicative by nature. We will pick some of these up in later dispatches in greater detail, so for today, apart from wishing everyone a Happy Feastday, here is a list and brief comment on some of the events:
- Two events yet to happen but which Salesians around the world are invited now to take note of and possibly act on (Thanks Tom Brennan SUE):
    * Award for contribution to child rights - World Summmit: World Childrens Prize for the rights of the child, honouring three individuals or organisations for outstanding contributions on behalf of the rights of the child. Deadline 1st March: http://www.comminit.com/en/node/13120
-  World Summit Youth award: recognising youth led projects that encourage the active participation of young people. The WYSA lies within the framework of the World Summit for the Information Society.  It is a youth for youth initiative for selecting and promoting best practice in e-content and technological creativity, demonstrating young people's potential to create digital opportunities. Deadline 28 February 2009: http://www.comminit.com/en/node/12900
- The sending of two lay missionaries from AUL province to Thailand as part of the Cagliero Project.
- 3 first professions and 5 final professions in Korea Province
- The admission into the Salesian Family of a group known as Cançao Nova (New Song) founded in Brazil by a Salesian.  They also have recognition at Vatican level.  Their Salesian mission is well-focused - Technology at the service of evangelisation.  Although Brazilian (Portuguese) materials abound for the most part, you could also try www.webtvcn.it for a sample.  Their's is a communications charism par excellence.
- The Don Bosco Forum in Bonn at which Bro ed Villordon from Cebu (and Leah Samson) is a main speaker. The Forum, taking place today and tomorrow (24-25), highlights the very kinds of issues raised above in the 'World Summit', noting Salesian efforts in Goma (Speaker Fr Joachim Tshibango, the SDB Provincial of that area), the Philippines (FIS Province efforts for a second chance for kids in conflict with the law. This Forum, run by Bro Jean Paul Muller who heads up the Don Bosco Mission Office in Bonn has prime media attention as well.
- Worth mentioning here too 'The Signbearer', the digital work of our young Salesians at Canlubang in FIN. Go to http://dbcanlubang.info/ for a look at what they are achieving there through web, YouTube and the like.
- And of course - the Pope on YouTube! But don't forget to check out his message for 2009 Communications Day posted on the Vatican website  “New Technologies, New Relationships: Promoting a culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship.” ..
- And 'Hacking the way to heaven: education and evangelisation in a digital culture' is now virtaully (!) complete.  Go http://tinyurl.com/7vo2tj  to begin reading (and don't forget to offer an opinion. The 8th and final chapter needs a little more work - unfinished).

Click here to comment on this item, or here to assist with Glossary. And could you also help with 'Hacking the way to Heaven'? You will need to enter 20eao02 when asked for a password.
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Title: australasia 2336
Subject and key words: SDB General Communications
Date (year): 2009
ID: 2000-2099|2320