1297 South Asia Region takes bold steps forward in communications
austraLasia 1297

South Asia Region takes bold steps forward in communications


GUWAHATI: 21st October 2005 -- The final statement of the twice reported Social Communications Seminar in Guwahati, India, deserves a third report!  The context was already one of considerable achievement over many years: printing presses, media centres, publishing houses, youth work involving communications, indigenous language publishing.  The Salesian Bulletin alone is in seven languages.  Salesian India produces/manages cinema, tele-series, radio programmes, information technology and state of the art print and electronic media.
    But noting the cultural context of today's India, with its widening gap between rich and poor, of which information and knowledge access is part, and the rising religious intolerance and fundamentalism, militancy, corruption, all with their impact on the young, Salesian India has taken some bold steps, inspired by both Church and Congregation requests to rad the signs of the times and provide responses.
    At national level they have pledged to implement Bosco Information Services (BIS) more effectively, through coordinators and public relations staff.  They are also making a move towards sensible standardisation, professionalism, marketing and sharing of resources.  To achieve these they will bring together annually all editors of the Salesian Bulletin, and the National Bulletin Admin Council.  They are setting up a feasibility study for a Don Bosco Multimedia production and publication centre for all of South Asia.  We need to note at this point that the Boscom Seminar included the Myanmar Delegation.  Sri Lanka appeared to be absent.  They recommend a full-time SPCSA (that's the South Asia Conference) Social Communications Delegate.
    At Province level - there were 10 provinces and two delegations present - they have recommended specific training of the Salesians in what they call "people's media" or alternative media.  They recommend a precise frequency for Province newsletters - 10 times per annum.  They also request a full-time Province Delegate for Social Communications.
   Stirring stuff!

_________________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific.  It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome.  For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml.  If you subscribe, email this information and your name will come off the regular email list.  RSS eliminates problems such as multiple mailings, viruses, email bloat.  Think about it!