3302 EAO Social Communications Meeting
austraLasia #3302

 

EAO Social Communications Meeting

HUA HIN:  22 October 2013 -- The Social Communications Department has organised a regular series of meetings throughout the Salesian world, region by region, over the six year period 2008-2014. Currently the EAO Salesian Communication Delegates or others appointed by their province are meeting at Hua Hin, Thailand. This effectively rounds off the regional meetings of the kind prior to GC 27. The delegates are meeting from Monday 21 October to Thursday 24 October.  A central feature of these meetings is to review progress in the implementation of the revised (after GC26) Salesian Social Communication System (SSCS) which offers guidelines for communication activities and formation of the Salesian as a communicator.

The Provincial of Thailand, Fr. Paul Prasert welcomed Fr Filiberto Gonzales and the other 18 delegates and members of the Social Communications Commissions from the provinces belonging to the East Asia-Oceania Region. The initial impression generated during the greetings and discussions of this group coming from diverse cultures and nations was one of openness, warmth, cheerfulness and optimism, thanks to the generous hospitality of the Thai confreres which has helped create such an atmosphere.

Fr Filiberto relayed the greetings of the Rector Major and the other superiors in the Generalate in Rome, mindful of the unity that all the Salesians share in the charismatic vocation of St John Bosco, communicator and apostle of the young. In addition to the SSCS, the meeting is looking at the situation of the provinces, to adapt a proactive approach that would foster teamwork and collaboration in their respective Social Communication commissions, within the province and among the provinces of the EAO.

EAO's 11 circumscriptions (including provinces, vice provinces and delegations) are represented except for Myanmar that had some difficulty. Cambodia and Japan have sent more than one participant in view of involving lay collaborators more closely in the Salesian Social Communication System. The meeting will also consider the task of documenting artistic and cultural heritage in places where Salesians are present, the preparations for the bicentennial celebrations and how Salesians should behave when they use the Social networks.

The first day concluded with the celebration of Mass, followed by the welcome dinner. Students from the adjacent school also came to offer traditional welcome dances and present each participant with a garland of flowers.