NGO 2010 Conclusion, RM message

Salesian NGO’s for the missions/development: Seminar 2010


Conclusions Rome, October 17,2010


Some Principles for the Salesian Mission/Development NGO’s

at the service of the Salesian Mission


Introduction

  • We move within the framework of the Salesian Mission (Constitution 6, SDB)

  • NGO as the present times playground of reaching out, challenging and accompanying the young people (group and commitment, vocational experience)

  • Voluntary service – Education to global citizenship – International cooperation (3!)

  • SDB sensitive to the evangelization of present culture, NGO model n.5

  • NGO as a bridge, tool of dialogue between the Church and Society


  1. Salesian Identity

  1. Salesian Formation (modules for the SDB in initial formation & NGO staff selection, training, animation, accompaniment, inspiration in mutual terms; Salesian capacity)

  2. Salesian (ideal) Mission/Development NGO ‘main 4 contents’ (cfr. Introduction 3.3 Voluntary service, Developmental projects, Missionary animation & Education to the development, Lobbying – Advocacy: Human rights key)

  3. NGO is effectively at the service of the Salesian Mission (professional approach in Salesian way, evaluation of projects and programs, budget, advocacy for the education of the young with the young, evangelization of the culture…)


  1. Relations of Salesian Province & NGO

  1. ‘Ownership’ of the NGO by the Provincial community or Provincial’s conference, clear position and relationship within the Salesian Mission (Youth Ministry, Missionary Animation, Economy..)

  2. Mutual information and communications (minimum of annual report, Prov.Council)

  3. Self-sustainability of the NGO as long term goal (4 different ways)


  1. Relations of NGO & Partner Province (=beneficiary)

  1. According the possibilities foster the creation, capacity building of the PDOs’

  2. Missionary/international volunteer ‘cycle’ (formation, accompaniment, involvement of returned volunteers in the Provincial framework, Salesian Family)

  3. Working with a deep awareness about the ‘system of Salesian missionary solidarity’


  1. Networking among the Salesian NGO’s

  1. Staff of the NGO open and formed for the networking mentality

  2. Don Bosco Network as a tool of networking (virtual platform, database offered)

  3. Common projects might be shared in (3) different ways

  4. Informal Working Groups possible (one volunteer person – point of reference for some specific sector ‘Advocacy’ …)

  5. Personal/ institutional exchange of information/ materials (List of NGO’s; Salesian Digital Library: http://sdl.sdb.org or www.sdb.org open to all)

  6. Dream about ‘one voice – one brand’ (Don Bosco Network) in the future

NB 1: Salesian Voluntary Service in the Salesian Mission, Handbook and Guidelines, Rome 2008, n.104 & 105: Salesian Non Governmental organizations of Voluntary Service


NB 2: Salesian Termbase (descriptive) available: http://www.sdb.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php


NB 3: Within the Frame of Salesian Missionary Solidarity (With a view on possible 2012 World Congress of all Mission Procures, NGO, PDOs involved in this system)



Message of the Rector Major (Email, from Seoul, South Korea, October 17th)

(translation from Italian language)


Dear Fr. Vàclav,


…. Here in Korea i can witness a lot of enthusiasm before the arrival of the relics of Don Bosco...


Congratulations for the good outcome of the missionary NGO seminar. I read the Introduction input which guided your work and I can see that slowly we are able to clarify some elements which might be helpful and guarantee the identity, professional standards, coordination and synergy of the Missionary NGOs’.

The most important thing is to define, what we would like to reach with all Missions related NGOs’. Some elements were already highlighted.


However, i think, that all should be defined within the context of realization of the Salesian Mission.

  • Through the way of public image of what the sons of Don Bosco are doing around the world, especially in the zones of most urgent needs

  • Through the way of fundraising for different missionary projects

  • Through the way of involving many persons and institutions always more identified with the Salesian Mission

All of this always done at the service of the human person, of the democratic society, of the fraternity among the nations. These elements should help us not to fall into any kind of narrow or ideology influenced vision.


Please, convey my greetings to all participants, give thanks in my name for their commitment. I greet all of you with affection in my blessings.

Good Sunday!


Fr. Pascual Chàvez

Rector Major

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