OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

1.1. Help the Congregation, individual provinces and confreres in growth in our Salesian identity.

1.1.1. Moving from today's reality to a greater awareness of the beauty of God's call to be Salesians of Don Bosco today, and always remaining with him.

1.1.1.1. Accompany the life and mission of each province or vice-province closely, personally or through the members of the General Council.

1.1.1.2. Throw light on the path of growth in Salesian identity in the Congregation through the magisterium of the Rector Major in his letters, the Strenna, visits and the various interventions.

1.1.2. Helping to overcome potential tiredness in the animation and governance of the provinces, always with a greater realism full of hope.

1.1.2.1. Animate the retreats addressed to all the provincials and members of the provincial councils in all regions of the Congregation.

1.1.2.2. Ensure personal meetings with all provincials during the six years (formation courses for new provincials, the mid-term week of spirituality, the personal meeting with the Rector Major at the beginning of the provincial's service and delivery of the "road map" for the province, the team visit), reinforcing assistance for the animation and governance of the provinces.

OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

2.1. Accompany, together with the corresponding Sector, growth and improvement of the formation of today’s Salesians.

2.1.1. Identifying the steps that allow people to overcome routine, tiredness and vocational hardships.

2.1.1.1. The Rector Major, together with the Formation sector, will closely accompany the consolidation, reshaping and restructuring needed for houses of specific formation of confreres in the Congregation.

2.1.1.2. Prioritise, ensuring and verifying the preparation and formation of formators and the setting up of appropriate formation teams.

2.1.1.3. Ensure that the revision of the Ratio Studiorum is helpful for growth in the Salesian identity to form people for and in the mission.

OBJECTIVE

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

3.1. Testify unequivocally that today, more than ever, our priority must be the young, and always the poorest, most abandoned and defenceless.

3.1.1. Journeying towards a Salesian reality that prioritises attention to the deepest needs of young people, especially the poorest, and their families.

3.1.1.1. Accompany and verify, during the visits of the Rector Major and the General Councillors, the path that will be taken in the provinces to give absolute priority to the neediest and most defenceless young people in existing Salesian presences and those of the future.

3.1.1.2. Accompany each province, through the animation and government of the Rector Major with his Council, in the drawing up, application and consolidation of a code of ethics for the care, prevention and defence of the children entrusted to us.

3.1.1.3. Make it a priority – over these six years, in meetings with provincials – to verify the previous steps as distinctive elements of the ethical DNA of our Congregation, for the good of young people.

OBJECTIVE

PROCESS

ACTION GUIDELINES

4.1. Make the openness of outlook of the Salesians of Don Bosco in the world and their great sense of belonging to the Congregation, something that is truly effective and real.

4.1.1. Moving more and more from local or national membership to a more generous and universal vision for the Salesian mission..

4.1.1.1. The Rector Major will invite the confreres from all the provinces around the world to make themselves available for international services, new foundations or for presence on new frontiers, in compliance with our Constitutions, through transfers, exchanges, temporary aid.

4.1.1.2. The missionary project of our Congregation will continue in decisive manner in imitation of Don Bosco.

OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

1.1. Foster radical witness, both personal and communal, to consecrated life according to the Constitutions.

1.1.1. Helping to deepen the identity of vocation in fidelity to the Lord, safeguarding our vocation, both personal and communal in all of life’s stages.

1.1.1.1. Offer guidance in the Acts of the General Council (AGC) regarding fidelity to our vocation and to the mission in all of life’s stages, by taking care of our vocation through formation.

1.1.1.2. Support initiatives and interventions that foster the assimilation and implementation of the characteristics of our charismatic identity: a happy Gospel-based life, a strong faith anchored in God, a communion that makes community life attractive, a prophetic attitude (cf. Guideline 1 second proposal in AGC 433, 20).

1.1.1.3. Accompany the provinces in the process of reshaping presences, so as to strengthen the witness of consecrated life, growing in the universal and missionary dimension of the Congregation.

1.1.1.4. Help provincials, especially in regional meetings, to take on a change of mentality regarding the vision of the Congregation and active and conscious participation in a universal dimension that is implemented through "generosity" and synergy in the Congregation (cf. guideline 7 in AGC 433, 45), living the missionary dimension with provincial and regional missionary projects.

OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

2.1. Continue the work of raising awareness with provincials regarding the care of religious discipline.

2.1.1. Fostering a culture of vocational fidelity and prevention of the lack of religious discipline, and addressing the various difficult personal and community situations.

2.1.1.1. With provincials and at regional meetings, continue to study how to prevent situations of lack of religious discipline in the various aspects of our vocation. Deepen and look after the culture of accompaniment for the life of each confrere (cf. AGC 433, 93-94).

2.1.1.2. Accompany the provincials in dealing with situations of confreres in difficulty and irregular situations and ask the Extraordinary Visitors for a report on such situations in the provinces.

2.1.1.3. Help the provinces to formulate guidelines for the safeguard and protection of children and for the prevention of cases of abuse.

2.1.1.4. Ensure that the provinces follow the protocol of the Rector Major and the General Council in dealing with cases of abuse and have a commission examine allegations.

2.1.1.5. Enable the provinces to prepare the procedures concerning dispensations, dismissals, secularisations, exclaustrations in a correct and thorough way .

OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

3.1.Ensure the identification of common objectives and synergies between sector councillors, and the coordination of interventions with regional councillors for fulfilling and applying indications that have come to us from many members of the General Chapter.

3.1.1. Fostering information, sharing reflection, planning and evaluation, the willingness to change established practices and by “carrying out” a synergy of action for the benefit of the animation of the whole Congregation.

3.1.1.1. Coordinate the shared drafting of the Vademecum, with a transformation that means the Vademecum will become a true Directory of the Rector Major and the General Council, to be implemented and disseminated in the Congregation.

3.1.1.2. Coordinate the drafting of the Project of the Rector Major and General Council for the six-year period, regional calendars, guidelines for extraordinary visitations.

3.1.1.3. Ask the sector councillors to provide six-monthly information to the General Council on the work of the sector.

3.1.1.4. Meet with the sector and regional councillors each semester and encourage the General Council to exchange reflections, proposals and situations that have emerged.

3.1.1.5. Ensure coordination in the General Council of interventions to accompany provinces and vice-provinces in difficulty.

3.1.1.6. Begin to reflect with sector councillors on the formation of the laity, identifying forms of coordination between sectors and further exploring the results with the whole General Council.

3.1.1.7. Foster spiritual experiences, fraternal life in the council, commitment to the service each one offers.

3.1.1.8. Strengthen the moments of formation for the General Council by scheduling and planning them with foresight.

OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

1.1. Carry out formation in mission (cf. point 29 in AGC 433, 95).

[Note: we have chosen to follow the Constitutions by using the word "formation" to indicate a process that lasts a lifetime (C. 98). This is why, although the phrase “ongoing formation” or “continuous formation” does not recur very often in this Project, what this terminology points to is very much there. For a comment on this, cf. AGC 425.]

1.1.1. Clarifying “formation in mission”

1.1.1.1. Dedicate the 2021 Regional Formation Commission (CRF) joint meeting with the Youth Ministry sector to a better understanding of formation in mission, promoting the pastoral orientation of initial formation, and rethinking institutional and formative structures (AGC p. 34 and GC28 46d)

1.1.1.2. Letter in the AGC on formation in mission, pastoral accompaniment and discernment..

1.1.1.3. Letter in the AGC, together with the Social Communication sector, on formation in mission within the digital world.

1.1.2. Promoting pastoral accompaniment as the way to ensure formation in mission (AGC 433 p. 34)

1.1.2.1. Train formators, through the regional formation centres, for pastoral accompaniment and discernment. (GC28 30d)

1.1.2.2.Ensure, through provincial formation delegates (DIF) and Rectors, the pastoral accompaniment of confreres in practical training and in the quinquennium. (GC28 29dh)

1.1.3. Giving attention to the missionary dimension of our vocation (AGC 433 pp. 45-48)

1.1.3.1. Dedicate the 2023 CRF joint meeting with the Missions sector (2023) to reflection on the shared mission in multi-religious contexts and its impact on formation. (GC28 44)

1.1.3.2. Together with the Missions sector, give greater attention to young missionaries ad gentes in all phases of discernment, preparation and insertion, also through a revision of the text The Missionary Formation of the Salesians of Don Bosco (2014).

1.2. Young people as active agents of the mission (AGC 433 p. 29)

1.2.1. Reflecting on how to favour the active agency of the young in the mission

1.2.1.1. Reflection meetings at world and regional level, involving Salesians, lay people, members of the Salesian Family and young people, to promote formation programs for growing in fidelity to the model of youthful protagonism requested by Christus Vivit.

1.2.2.Promoting ecological conversion (AGC 433 pp. 49-51)

1.2.2.1. Promote small seminars at the regional level, involving confreres, laity and young people, on the universal call to ecological conversion, leading to educational-pastoral formation programs.

1.2.3. Rethinking Salesian formation in the digital world (cf. AGC 433 p. 28-29)

1.2.3.1. Organize small regional seminars, involving the Social Communication sector, confreres in initial formation, formation guides, laity and young people, to reflect on Salesian formation and mission in the digital world.

1.2.4. Involving confreres in initial formation in the process of renewal of formation

1.2.4.1. Involve confreres in initial formation in the process of reception and implementation of Young Salesians and Accompaniment: Orientations and Guidelines and Animating and Governing the Community: The Service of the Salesian Rector. (GC28 14d)

1.3.4.2. Involving them, along with other confreres, laity and young people, in the process of updating the Ratio. (AGC 433 p. 34)

OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

2.1. A formation that is synodal, capable of touching the heart

[Note: From the Greek SYN-’ODOS, walking together. Synodal formation is ‘walking together’ in the EPC, with lay collaborators and with the young people themselves, but also in the initial and ongoing formation of Salesians, where all confreres – including those in initial formation – are subjects and not objects of formation, and where, within the shared vocation, there is dialogue, patience and mutual respect.

2.1.1. Deepening our understanding of the Preventive System as our model of formation (AGC 433 pp. 27, 34; GC28 28f)

2.1.1.1. Disseminate the document Young Salesians and Accompaniment: Orientations and Guidelines in order to ensure that formation is based on the Preventive System. (AGC 433 p. 34 and GC28 14d, 28e)

2.1.1.2. Ensure initiation to meditation and Lectio Divina as a fundamental preparation for discernment.

2.1.1.3. Promote in every province the preparation of a group of confreres for the service of personal spiritual accompaniment as well as other forms of personal and group accompaniment, taking advantage of the School of Salesian Accompaniment and other such experiences. (AGC 433 p. 34)

2.2. Joint formation in the shared mission (AGC 433 pp. 39-44 and GC28 42-43)

2.2.1. Promoting theological and charismatic conviction regarding the shared mission

2.2.1.1. Dedicate part of the 2022 CRF to reflecting on the shared mission and joint formation, not forgetting multi-religious contexts.

2.2.1.2. Ask DIFs to find ways of reflecting on the shared mission and joint formation at provincial level.

2.2.2. Encouraging joint formation of Salesians and laity (AGC 433 p. 44)

2.2.2.1. Ask DIFs to ensure that provincials and their councils as well as educative-pastoral communities (EPC) study and implement the third part of Animating and Governing the Community: The Service of the Salesian Rector.

2.2.2.2. Encourage regional formation centres to become receivers, creators and disseminators of best practices and materials for joint formation.

2.2.3.Promoting the involvement of women and families in initial formation processes (GC28 29g)

2.2.3.1. Ensure that the 2022 CRF works out contextualized ways of involving women and families in initial formation.

2.3. Improvement of communication and collaboration

2.3.1. Fostering greater collaboration with the sectors

2.3.1.1. Follow the indications of the present Plan.

2.3.2. Improving the processes of animation

2.3.2.1. Prepare a Salesian Formation Handbook to define the World Advisory Council, regional coordinators, DIFs, and the regional and provincial formation commissions.

2.3.2.2. Strengthen communication both through the official channels of the Congregation and other initiatives (video, MP3, newsletter, formazionesdb.org, email, etc.).

2.3.3. Accompanying inter-provincial formation communities (GC28 30h)

2.3.3.1. Ensure that the curatoriums of inter-provincial formation communities and of the regional formation centres are strengthened.

OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

3.1. Ongoing rediscovery of the beauty of the sequela Christi that is Salesian consecrated life in its two forms (AGC 433 pp. 17-20)

3.1.1. Deeper reflection on our identity

3.1.1.1. Disseminate the first part of Animating and Governing the Community: The Service of the Salesian Rector which deals with the Salesian consecrated identity, and the letters about the Salesian Brother (AGC 424) and the Salesian priest (AGC 431). (AGC 433 p. 20)

3.1.2. Attending to the Salesian charismatic dimension of our identity

3.1.2.1. Prepare confreres in each province for the animation of the Salesian dimension of our identity.

3.1.2.1. Prepare Salesian experts for a theologico-spiritual reading of Don Bosco.

3.1.2.3. Update the curriculum of Salesian studies for all stages of initial formation, making sure to include the spiritual patrimony of St. Francis de Sales.

3.1.2.4. Make use of the centenary of the death of Paolo Albera (2021), the 400th anniversary of the death of St. Francis de Sales (2022) and the bicentenary of the 'Dream at the age of nine' (2024) as opportunities for animation.

3.1.3. Taking care of vocational discernment,

aspirantates, and prenovitiates

3.1.3.1. Give attention, in collaboration with the Youth Ministry sector, to vocation discernment and aspirantates, especially in certain regions.

3.1.3.2. Prepare prenovitiate formators for a good presentation of the Salesian consecrated vocation in its two forms.

3.1.3.3. Collaborate with the Youth Ministry sector in the seminar on vocational discernment.

3.2. Formation of open and balanced people

3.2.1. Taking advantage of / creating relevant formation programs

3.2.1.1. Elaborate, in collaboration with the Youth Ministry sector, proposals for an affective and sexual education of Salesians and lay people. (GC28 15d)

3.2.1.2. Update Criteria and norms for Salesian vocational discernment: Admissions (2000). (AGC 433 p. 34)

OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

1.1. Promote a Salesian Youth Ministry that has the vocation dimension as a unifying principle.

1.1.1. Develop educative-pastoral guidelines and processes (reflection and implementation) that help promote the vocational dimension in each and every environment.

1.1.1.1. Develop guidelines and promote reflection ( including seminars, meetings, courses, articles, ...) for the accompaniment of Salesians and lay people in Salesian Youth Ministry in a vocational perspective (cf. AGC 433, 21-22.80).

1.1.1.2. Focus our attention on helping young people in their discernment of a possible religious or priestly vocation and accompany them to their full realisation of it.

1.1.1.3. Properly integrate into the Provincial SEPP the vocational proposal into the itinerary of faith education as a point of convergence of all educational and evangelising efforts.

1.1.2. Creating the right conditions of a vocational culture where every person can discover, accept and responsibly follow their true vocation.

1.1.2.1. Empower the concrete and effective forms of integrated accompaniment of young people towards the path of maturity in different aspects where the human and social aspects are integrated with the spiritual aspects (cf. CV 222).

1.1.2.2. Contribute to the organisation of meetings or formation initiatives on spiritual accompaniment and direction in the Provinces, in order to identify guidelines and new 'good practices' towards generous service and vocational discernment (CV 170. 240)

1.1.2.3. Encourage the reflection of the Educative-Pastoral Community with a special focus on meaningful vocational testimonies within the family environment.

1.2. Strengthen the option for the poorest young people in all areas of the Salesian mission as a fundamental expression of our Salesian charism (cf. AGC 433, 35-38).

1.2.1. Promoting and supporting a prophetic attitude of the EPC in the option towards the poorest and the excluded as an underlying choice in our Salesian mission.

1.2.1.1. Identify the criteria and guidelines for the study of pastoral action among the poorest young people (AGC 433, 79), at provincial and local level, as a principle attitude and choice.

1.2.1.2. Pay more attention to the phenomena of youth mobility (refugees and migrants) (CV 91-94) and the world of work (CV 268-273) to offer concrete ways of welcome and help, beginning with the least (cf. FT 233-235), through an articulated collaboration in the network.

1.2.1.3. Collaborate with the implementation of socio-political formation courses in collaboration with the various branches of the Salesian Family in harmony with the Church's social doctrine.

1.2.1.4. Promote the awareness among Youth Ministry Delegates to include in the itineraries of education to the faith the commitment to the poor in the light of an integral ecology, as a great cultural, spiritual and educational challenge (cf. LS 202-232; AGC 433, 49-51).

1.2.1.5. Accompany and promote in every Province and Salesian House the development of a code of ethics for the care, prevention and protection of children entrusted to us, with the commitment to protect them from all kinds of abuse, wherever it comes from (cf. AGC 433, 38.79).

1.2.2. Living and interpreting the mission to the “poorest and most abandoned” young people in all the works with institutional openness to the existential peripheries where the poorest young people find themselves.

1.2.2.1. Accompany the provinces in coordinating the various initiatives for young people in need through the OPP and the provincial SEPP.

1.2.2.2. Accompany and promote reflection on the reality of the poorest young people (studies, congresses, courses, proposals, meetings at provincial and regional level) to help reflect on the regions and the province towards proposals of responses.

1.3. Deepen co-responsibility between Salesians and lay people in the common mission with young people, within the dynamics of EPC (cf. AGC 433, 39-44.99-113).

1.3.1. Giving more attention to strengthening the centrality of the lived EPC as an experience of family and Church.

1.3.1.1. Share the tried-and-tested criteria and experiences already in place regarding the roles and responsibilities of Salesians and lay people within the EPC (AGC 433, 112), as an expression of the ecclesiology of communion.

1.3.1.2. “Strengthen the understanding of the educative pastoral community by taking care of the formation of its members and the preparation of the Salesian educative and pastoral project.”(AGC 433, 112).

1.3.2. Reflecting and accompanying different models of animation and management of the works with the participation and active involvement of lay people.

1.3.2.1. Encourage the exchange of experiences and “best practice” that are concrete and real (cf. AGC 433, 44), related to the gradual choice and inclusion of lay staff and the shared management of works.

1.3.2.2. Accompany and support specific preparation referring to the leadership of lay people who have institutional roles of responsibility (cf. AGC 433, 43).

1.3.3. Ensuring the overall educative-pastoral formation of the Salesians and lay people together to ensure charismatic identity in our Works (cf. AGC 433, 17-20.43).

1.3.3.1. Together with the Formation Department, verify that there is a careful pastoral preparation in the stages of initial formation in view of a concrete preparation oriented to the Salesian mission (cf. AGC 433, 30-34.95-96).

1.3.3.2. Offer formation journeys together (SDB, lay people and young people.) in Salesian pedagogy and spirituality.

1.3.3.3. Accompany provincial policies for formation proposals aimed at qualifying people for the animation of YM in the province (School of Delegates and others).

1.4. Promote the effective and affective presence with and for the young in communion of life and action (AGC 433, 28-29).

1.4.1. Increasing an oratory ambience of family and welcome for the young in our works.

1.4.1.1. Share reflections and initiatives with the general council’s YM Team that offer a better understanding of the digital world and new languages (cf. CV 86-90; AGC 433, 29).

1.4.1.2. Study SDB and lay formation programs for pedagogical-pastoral competence and to live the "Salesian sacrament" of presence (AGC 433, 25-29) in the midst of young people (return to the playground, word in the ear, listening, personalised accompaniment).

1.4.2. Accompanying youth dynamism through the leadership of young people prominent in the Salesian mission and charism.

1.4.2.1. Promote a mentality and practice of creating or renewing times and spaces that encourage the participation of young people in the planning, animation and evaluation of pastoral activities, and in moments where young people come together with the Salesian community.

1.4.2.2. Motivate the establishment of communities of believers in the EPC where the experience of faith is visible and credible: a community that is friendly, close, committed and open to all young people who seek their destiny in life.

1.5. Consolidate the reflection and practice of educational and evangelisation processes in various cultural, social and ecclesiastical contexts.

1.5.1. Assuming the disposition of discernment, both from a personal and community point of view, as a fundamental criteria for pastoral action with young people (CV 278-298).

1.5.1.1. Help Youth Ministry delegates to provide spaces for sharing in the EPC, to deepen and practice discernment as an attitude and method in the proposal of faith education pathways.

1.5.1.2. Animate the accompaniment of young people in the provinces with proposals that lead to the discovery of the meaning of their lives and the joyful acceptance of their own existence.

1.5.2. Promoting a mentality and commitment to a educative-pastoral project based on the education and evangelisation relationship depending on the different contexts.

1.5.2.1. Help to initiate systematic experiences of spirituality and service (volunteering) in collaboration with the Salesian Family.

1.5.2.2. Lead and animate an educative-pastoral proposal using youthful language and symbols to share the message of the Gospel, paying special attention to the real life of young people (cf. CV 71).

1.5.2.3. See that there is the promotion and dissemination of personalised educative journeys in the educative-pastoral formation meetings that provide experiences for the care of creation and the common home as part of what they offer.

1.5.3. Promoting the Inculturation of faith as a gradual approach to the values and ideals of the Gospel in contexts that are non-Christian, secularised and indifferent to faith.

1.5.3.1. Share the differentiated processes underway for the growth of the young with the different National Centres, Ongoing Formation Centres and the UPS, in order to respond to the challenges of the different contexts.

1.5.3.2. Accompany the initiatives that educate young people to ethical discernment, transcendence and commitment to justice as a concrete expression of the option for the poor (cf. EG 188).

1.5.3.3. Support and promote places for reflection on ecumenical, inter-religious and social dialogue in the youth context (cf. EG 255-258).

1.6. Enhance the synergy between youth ministry and family, within the Salesian educative pastoral model (cf. YM 15-192).

1.6.1. Further exploring the journey to enhance the role of the family as a subject in the EPC and an active agent in the development of the SEPP

1.6.1.1. Reflect on the challenges, resources and opportunities that emerged from the World Congress (SYM FAMILY) for consequent reflection and animation in the provinces cf. AGC 433, 80).

1.6.1.2. Promote and enhance family groups inspired by Salesian spirituality and foster their apostolic involvement (vocational ministry, new forms of evangelisation and family catechism) and their active involvement in the EPC.

1.6.2. Forming our educators so that they can accompany young people in the development and maturation of their affective and emotional realms (cf. AGC 433, 81).

1.6.2.1. Look for appropriate paths and experiences of formation for lay people and Salesians (together with the Formation sector) so that they can accompany young people in the education of love (CV 81.261) and the formation of a new family (CV 259-267).

OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

2.1. Promote the Oratory Youth-Centre as a place of welcome and proposal, with a preference for poor areas and popular youth settings.

2.1.1. Re launching the Oratory towards decisions that translate these new frontiers/peripheries in the lives of the young into concrete ways of living.

2.1.1.1. Propose a reflection in regional meetings on how to set up the oratory in synergy with the other various settings of Salesian work and, at the same time, as a space that animates the neighbourhood together with the other educational and pastoral circumstances.

2.1.1.2. In the national YM centres encourage a rethinking of oratory ministry today as a relevant place of human growth and vocational discernment.

2.2. Develop educative-pastoral activity that becomes a path for growth in shared responsibility between all educators working in the Oratory-Youth Centre EPC.

2.2.1. Giving attention to the processes of formation and accompaniment aimed at young leaders.

2.2.1.1. YM sector to collect the formation modules already widely tested in the regions, and will make available suitable aids and animation tools for the leaders/animators (proposals, activities, experiences).

2.2.1.2. YM sector to put together a list of the educational skills leaders/animators need in their neighbourhood, highlighting in every house the attention given in every area to disadvantage and marginalisation.

2.2.1.3. Open a space for sharing in the regions to study innovative and alternative forms and activities for the animation of the playground and free time.

2.2.2. Making young people promoters of life in the Oratory-Youth Centre.

2.2.2.1. In regional meetings examine the degree of active involvement that young people have in the Oratory Youth-Centres and in serving showing leadership for other young people.

2.2.2.2. Encourage the provinces in their formation and accompaniment of young couples and young families attending the Oratory-Youth Centre, in collaboration with other settings.

2.2.2.3. Promote a reflection with the Social Communication Sector on different forms of youth expression (theatre, dance, music, painting, cinema and literature).

OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

3.1. Promote the identity and quality of Salesian presence in schools and in vocational training centres, having the culture and the vocational dimension as a unifying principle of the educative-pastoral project

3.1.1. Encouraging educative-pastoral quality in our Schools and Vocational Training Centres.

3.1.1.1. Reflect on the identity of the Salesian School and Salesian Vocational Training today, in different regions and contexts.

3.1.1.2. Accompany the processes of provincial, inter-provincial or regional structures of Salesian educational institutions, consolidating existing groups of reflection and action.

3.1.1.3. Promote a reflection capable of generating and fostering guidance processes in the school to meet the needs of the future vocational life of the young people.

3.2. Promote the formation and accompaniment of the lay people who share responsibility for the Salesian mission in the Schools and Vocational Training Centres.

3.2.1. Promoting shared responsibility between SDB and lay people in the animation and management of Schools and Vocational Training Centres.

3.2.1.1. Encourage joint formation processes (SDB, lay people and young people) in Salesian spirituality and pedagogy oriented to the shared mission.

3.2.1.2. Promoting the development of documents that present educational and pastoral skills for lay people who share responsibility with us.

3.3. Consolidate reflection on and practice of educational and evangelisation processes within the school and the vocational training centre, in the various cultural, social and ecclesiastical contexts.

3.3.1. Ensuring the increasing integration of educational and evangelising processes in the School and Vocational Training Centre ECPs.

3.3.1.1. Encourage educative-pastoral choices that transform our scholastic “structures” into a field of mission and evangelisation, by offering young people gradual and diversified processes of growth and maturing in their education in the faith.

3.3.1.2. Promote the creation, in schools and vocational training centres, of processes of culture and ecological and solidarity-based education.

3.4. Strengthen the option for the poorest in our Schools and Vocational Training Centres.

3.4.1. Encouraging our Schools and Vocational Training Centres to agree on the perspective of openness and service to the poorest.

3.4.1.1. Encourage initiatives aimed at developing the most disadvantaged young people.

3.4.1.2. Encourage socio-political formation courses in tune with the encyclicals Laudato Sì (LS) and Fratelli Tutti (FT) to give concrete form to a process that leads to a commitment to integral ecology (AGC 433, 49).

3.4.1.3. Promote vocational training as a privileged means of attention to people in need and their inclusion in society and the world of work.

3.4.1.4. Strengthen the accompaniment and privileged rapport with families for their mutual involvement and collaboration.

3.5. Ensure a greater visibility of the Salesian Schools and Vocational Training Centres outside our own circumstances (Church, society, civil institutions).

3.5.1. Encouraging an institutional presence of the YM Sector, the Schools and Vocational Training Centres Office at forums for ecclesial, political and social education.

3.5.1.1. Continue development and participation in Church-based educational forums, or other international civil educational institutions.

OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

4.1. Promote the application of the Policies for 2021-2025.

4.1.1. Ensuring the development of the 2021-25 policies and the functioning of coordination and animation structures at a global and continental/regional level.

4.1.1.1. Prepare the policies for the 2021-2025 period with the General Assembly.

4.1.1.2. Organise and/or accompany the various IUS meetings, conferences and assemblies.

4.1.1.3. Accompany the application of common programmes at global and continental/regional level.

4.1.1.4. Plan animation visits to the various IUS institutes, especially those facing greater challenges

4.2. Consolidate the application of the "Orientations for Campus Ministry in the IUS", emphasising the vocational dimension in such a way as to ensure the educational-evangelising processes in the different contexts of Salesian higher education.

4.2.1. Strengthening pastoral care as a dimension that runs across all of Salesian higher education.

4.2.1.1. Ensure the establishment of pastoral animation teams in every IUS.

4.2.1.2. Motivate the preparation of the Pastoral Plan at the level of each of the IUS.

4.2.1.3. Accompany proposals for continental and regional formation in university pastoral work.

4.2.2. Encouraging reflection on the vocational dimension in the educative-pastoral processes of Salesian higher education.

4.2.2.1. Ensure the subject of vocation is addressed in various continental and regional meetings.

4.2.2.2. Offer reflections and resources on the subject of vocation in university campus ministry.

4.3. Strengthen the option for the poorest young people in the context of Salesian higher education.

4.3.1. Promoting reflection and decisions on the option for the poor as an underlying choice involving the triple university mission: teaching, research and social mission (extension).

4.3.1.1. Ensure reflection on the option for the poor in the various continental and regional meetings.

4.3.1.2. Ensure institutional mechanisms to guarantee continued access to our IUS for young people from popular sectors and young university students marginalised for various reasons.

4.4. Promote communication, collaboration and institutional, academic and staff exchange at all levels.

4.4.1. Providing wider dissemination of information on IUS within the network, in the Congregation, in the Church and in wider society.

4.4.1.1. Develop IUS websites as strategic communication resources.

4.4.1.2. Disseminate information on best management, academic and pastoral practices and experiences among the IUS.

4.4.2. Promoting academic exchange and best practice within IUS.

4.4.2.1. Develop the work of the various academic networks.

4.4.2.2. Promote visits and collaborative initiatives between IUS managers, staff or lecturers.

4.4.2.3. Promote exchange between students who are part of Salesian university associations.

4.5. Promote reflection on the application of the youth ministry model in university colleges.

4.5.1. Helping to understand university colleges more as an educative-pastoral proposal than as a simple service to young university students.

4.5.1.1. Put the analysis of the statistical survey on Salesian university colleges into context.

4.5.1.2. Contribute to reflection on the application of the EPC model in university colleges.

4.5.1.3. Accompany this area by attending meetings of managers and also visiting university colleges at provincial level.

OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

5.1. Value and make parish pastoral bodies operational as an expression of communion and an exercise in shared responsibility.

5.1.1. Placing all members of the EPC in a real situation of participation, dialogue and shared responsibility in the ordinary dynamics of the parish community.

5.1.1.1. In the provincial SEPP, evaluate the role of councils, assemblies, groups, pastoral committees (liturgical, charitable, family, etc.), ordinary bodies of communion, programmes and the coordination of all the pastoral activity of the parish.

5.2. Promote an up-to-date reflection on the Salesian parish to ensure its originality and its educative and pastoral specificity as a place of welcome and missionary service.

5.2.1. Focusing on the crucial issue of pastoral life and, in particular, the challenges of evangelising young people.

5.2.1.1. Try to be present as a Sector at the national and regional meetings of parish priests for a more refined animation of the area.

5.2.1.2. Initiate further reflection with provincial councils on the opportunities offered to young people and the working classes by our parish communities, in terms of welcome, leadership and witness.

5.2.1.3. Study with youth ministry delegates the commitment of parish communities to launching programmes for rediscovering the faith, catechesis for Christian Initiation and vocational accompaniment.

5.2.2. Making the parish community attentive to the active role of the family in the educative-pastoral mission and supporting it in its educative role.

5.2.1.1. To give impetus in provincial/national commissions to the study of reciprocity between the family and the Salesian parish in order to pool resources, energy and shared responsibility.

5.2.1.2. A Sector study of existing best practice aimed at forming and establishing proposals to support individuals and families in parishes.

5.3. Give greater attention to the local area and the social dimension of charity.

5.3.1. Prioritising parish pastoral workers tackling concrete problems of those who live in the area.

5.3.1.1. Check and evaluate carefully in the Provincial EPPs whether the different forms of the social dimension of charity in parishes respond to the new forms of poverty in which they live and work.

5.3.1.2. Offer a reflection on Parish Pastoral Councils

OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

6.1. Strengthen the animation and coordination of the youth marginalisation and disadvantage areas at regional and provincial level.

6.1.1. Identifying the criteria and guidelines for pastoral action among children, adolescents, young people and other adults at risk, who are vulnerable and poorer, at the provincial and local level, as an attitude and choice across all areas.

6.1.1.1. Giving continuity to reflection and application of the World Advisory Council on Social Services Works (SSW) in the World Congress.

6.1.1.2. Consolidate synergy and networking in the Youth Ministry sector, through the DBI and DB-UN, with other advocacy bodies.

6.1.1.3. Help the SSW provincial coordinator to verify and update the pastoral interventions and structures at the province level to ensure significant presence among the poorest of our works.

6.1.1.4. Evaluate and bring up-to-date the collection of statistical data from GC28 on the SSW for young people at risk and in situations of marginalisation.

6.1.1.5. Encourage public awareness by producing tools for the dissemination of our works/services (website updates).

6.1.1.6. Establish a relationship with civil bodies, and even international church bodies, in work on marginalisation and troubled youth.

6.2. Develop shared responsibility between Salesians and lay people in the common mission with young people, within the dynamics of the EPC.

6.2.1. Ensuring the overall educative-pastoral formation of Salesians and laity to guarantee charismatic identity in our Works (cf. AGC 433, 17-20).

6.2.1.1. Encourage and accompany vocational training in the provinces as an effective tool for prevention, and the integral human maturing of disadvantaged youth

6.2.1.2. Initiate or strengthen the formation paths of pastoral workers and staff, both professional and voluntary, at provincial level, in the spirituality and pedagogical practice of the Preventive System in the SSW

6.2.1.3. Help to support a defined pedagogical model with Salesian identity and professional competence.

6.3. Consolidate the reflection and practice of the processes of education and evangelisation in the various cultural, social and ecclesial contexts.

6.3.1. Promoting a mentality of and commitment to the Educative-Pastoral Project in the SSW (Social Service Works).

6.3.1.1. Assisting provinces in the development and animation of the four dimensions of the SEPP in the SSW which make it easier for every young person to consciously and responsibly take up the values which guide and give meaning to his or her life.

6.3.1.2. Accompany differentiated approaches to human and spiritual growth in the SSW closely linked to daily life and following a graduated approach that respects the rhythms and differences in starting points.

OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

7.1. Accompany the experiences of the volunteer movement with a clear Salesian identity.

7.1.1. Encouraging provinces to organise, form and accompany the experience of volunteering in a systematic way according to the Salesian Missionary Volunteering (SMV) 2019.

7.1.1.1.Accompany the application of the SMV 2019 document in collaboration with the Mission Sector.

7.1.1.2. Help to ensure the training and accompaniment processes of volunteers at national and regional level.

7.1.1.3. Foster an attitude that the experience of volunteering is not just about the work to be done but an integral evangelical and charismatically inspired experience.

7.1.1.4. At the annual meetings of YM delegates discuss the convergence between volunteering and vocation animation.

7.2.1. Encouraging the use of existing models in the world of volunteering, fostering a network at an inter-provincial level and between regions.

7.2.1.1. Encourage the sharing of best practice and contacts between YM delegates and the provincial coordinator for the volunteer movement.

OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

8.1.Promote and accompany the SYM by giving priority to the vocational dimension of Salesian Youth Ministry

8.1.1. Strengthening the coordination of the SYM in its identity and visibility through the practice of networking between provinces and regions.

8.1.1.1. Promote reflection on the SYM, in accordance with the "Framework of Reference", towards a clearer understanding of its identity and function, especially the vocational dimension.

8.1.1.2. Participate in international events that strengthen the identity and experience of the SYM.

8.1.1.3. Support the coordination of the SYM in the European Region and the Middle East and strengthen the SYM in those Regions where it is weaker.

8.1.1.4. Promote the active involvement of youth in the animation and coordination of the SYM at the various levels: local, provincial and regional.

8.1.1.5. Promote the cooperation of the SYM with other groups or movements of the Salesian Family or of Salesian inspiration, and with other platforms aimed at young people such as the Youth Section of the Vatican's Laity, Family and Life Dicastery.

8.1.1.6. Prepare a worldwide directory and data collection on SYM.

8.1.1.7. Present the SYM, its identity and presence in a creative way: documentary, films and more.

8.1.2. Initiating formation processes in spiritual direction and discernment as an effective means for discovering God's plan.

8.1.2.1. Offer young leaders formation processes in the experience of discernment and spiritual direction.

8.1.2.2. Provide monthly or bi-monthly reflection on the themes of discernment and spiritual direction.

8.1.2.3.Encourage volunteering and other experiences within the SYM journey to help young people in vocational discernment.

8.2. Strengthen and deepen the spirituality of responsible service in order to respond efficiently and effectively to new forms of youth poverty as an expression of the new evangelisation.

8.2.1. Fostering a path of formation with the aim of assimilating the social teaching of the Church.

8.2.1.1. Promote the learning of the Church's social teachings in SYM animation

8.2.1.2. Launch service programmes for victims of new forms of poverty.

8.2.1.3. Encourage the participation in the SYM of groups from our priority SSW works.

8.2.2. Following up initiatives to grow in sensitivity towards our common home and the digital world.

8.2.2.1. Participate in national or international meetings that carry forward the proposals referred to in Pope Francis' Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’ (LS).

8.2.2.2. Encourage coherent thinking and lifestyles for young people to grow as responsible citizens who care for creation.

8.2.2.3. Strengthen the evangelising proposal in the digital world where young people live.

OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

9.1. Ensure the contribution of the Congregation to the work of Church and civil bodies engaged in the education of young people and youth ministry worldwide.

9.1.1. Continuing and strengthening co-operation with Church bodies involved in the field of education and youth ministry regionally and worldwide.

9.1.1.1. Participate in and contribute to international and regional initiatives promoted by Church bodies and involve representatives of these Church organizations in the relevant initiatives of the Congregation.

9.1.2. Ensuring resources and accompaniment for personnel in charge of the Salesian presence at the United Nations (DB-UN) and Don Bosco International (DBI) in achieving the objectives for which these Offices are responsible.

9.1.2.1. Periodically review DB-UN and DBI Strategic Plans, and continually monitor their implementation.

9.1.2.2. Identify suitable people to represent the Congregation in the UN's regional centres and facilitate their participation in the initiatives that take place there.

9.1.3. Encouraging the Advocacy and Representation Offices of the Congregation and the Cooperation and Development Bodies it promotes to undertake information and awareness-raising activities for international institutions responsible for youth policy, and who promote education, social inclusion and the integral development of all young people, especially the poorest.

9.1.3.1. Promote policies for the poorest of young people at various levels (cf. AGC 433, 79).

9.1.3.2. Involve young people from the Salesian Youth Movement, Salesian-inspired youth organisations (e.g. Don Bosco Youth-Net) and the poor young people who are beneficiaries of Salesian works in the activities of DB-UN, DBI and Don Bosco Network.

9.1.3.3. Promote the participation of young people representing Salesian work around the world in the UN Youth Forums

9.1.3.4. Carry out a study to identify the civil bodies where it is strategic for the Congregation to be in order to participate in significant processes in the field of education.

9.2. Encourage communication and cooperation between the Congregation's Representative Offices at the International Institutions and the General Council, the Provinces and other bodies promoted by the Congregation.

9.2.1. Promoting the exchange of information and opportunities for mutual involvement between DB-UN, Don Bosco International and the various levels of government and animation of the Congregation

9.2.1.1. Send regular newsletters of DB-UN's activities, both from New York and from the regional centres, and of DBI, to the General Council of the Congregation and to the provinces.

9.2.1.2. Involve DB-UN and DBI staff in relevant processes and events at the various levels of government and animation of the Congregation.

9.2.1.3. Involve Salesians and lay collaborators from the provinces in the activities of DB-UN and DBI.

9.3. Promote reflection in the Congregation on the social and political dimension of Salesian educative and pastoral action

9.3.1. Promoting initiatives and tools at various levels that foster a culture of reflection and study of the social and political dimension of the educative and pastoral action of the Congregation and the bodies promoted by it.

9.3.1.1. Involve the Advocacy and Representation Offices of the Congregation, Cooperation and Development Bodies, Provincial Youth Ministry Offices and the IUS in the promotion of initiatives and drawing up of tools for reflection and critical study of the social and political dimension of Salesian educative and pastoral action.

9.3.1.2. Ensure that the care of creation and our common home is the object of reflection and the criterion of discernment for Salesian educative and pastoral action.

9.3.2. Strengthening DB-UN and DBI's ability to articulate the position of the Congregation on relevant issues in the service with and for young people.

9.3.2.1. Form or strengthen groups of experts, Salesians and lay people, at regional and international level on relevant thematic areas, to support the Congregation's advocacy and representation Offices.

9.3.2.2. Disseminate the initiatives of the Advocacy and Representation Offices of the Congregation through the Congregation's social networks and communication agencies.

OBJECTIVES

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

1.1. Live communication in an evangelical (Cf. Jn 1:1-5; 1:14), synodal (SyG 121-122), Salesian (C. 6) and convergent (cf. Fbic) manner.

1.1.1. Accompanying and prioritising the study of new implementation strategies for anthropological, biblical, ecclesial, educational and pastoral communication (cf. LS 69; 89 e 92).

1.1.1.1. Carry out formative meetings involving Salesians and lay people at a personal and community level, to enhance a vision of communication from an educative and pastoral perspective in the youth ecosystem.

1.1.1.2. Develop the anthropological, biblical, ecclesial, educative and pastoral basis of Salesian communication with the help of scholars and educators and in an interdisciplinary way.

1.1.1.3. From the perspective of the spiritual and educational pedagogy of the disciples of Emmaus (SyG 58), build formative paths of accompaniment of communication, together with Salesians, lay people and young people from the provinces.

1.1.1.4. Integrate the new proposal of Salesian communication (anthropological, biblical, ecclesial, educational and pastoral) as part of the formation of Salesians, laity and the curriculum for the evangelisation and education in the faith of young people (SyG 145).

1.1.2. Offering the tools and means at various levels for a constant process of verification, updating and inculturation of the Salesian mission in the digital habitat where today's young people live (cf. AGC 433, 29).

1.1.2.1. Carry out a joint reflection process with other sectors through seminars, meetings of delegates, studies on inculturation and educational accompaniment of young people in the digital continent (WCD 2013).

1.1.2.2. Provide spaces for reflection, and formation sessions with communication delegates and local teams to further explore, integrate and implement communication proposals within the province's and community's communication plan.

1.1.2.3. Develop shared working strategies between delegates and local communication teams to create dialogue, processes and integration of new communication proposals within the OPP and provincial and local SEPP.

OBJECTIVE

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

2.1. Support communication in view of animation and government for the Salesians, the Salesian Family and external Institutions.

2.1.1. Continuing to guarantee the visibility of the Congregation in the Salesian Family, in the Church and in the world.

2.1.1.1. Organise and update institutional communication (internally and externally) in an institutional, professional and technical manner (SSCS 2011, 54-68).

2.1.1.2. Accompany the Rector Major's spokesperson through the Communication sector.

2.1.1.3. Coordinate the production and dissemination of the Rector Major's messages in the media on the basis of content and recipients.

2.1.1.4. Collaborate in preparations for the celebrations of the Congregation (Bicentenary of the Dream at nine years of age, Fr Paul Albera, St Francis de Sales, Centenary of the Salesian Presence in North East India, 150th Anniversary of the first Salesian Missionary Expedition and others).

2.1.1.5. Support the Rector Major's communication with a press office, and through communication and social network channels.

2.1.1.6. Organise the policy, logistics and technical means to support the sectors in information, interactivity and instant communication with provinces and regions.

2.1.1.7. Accompany those responsible for communication in the different Regions or continents through meetings to encourage opportunities for unity, collaboration and shared management (publishing houses, radio, printing houses, SB, magazines, websites, multimedia, video, music, theatre and film productions).

2.1.1.8. Organise a group of expert translators, both SDB and lay.

2.1.1.9. Study and define how to establish institutional and personal security protocols for Salesians on the Internet and social networks.

2.1.1.10. Organise a Crisis Management Team with the participation of people from the legal and international communication area.

OBJECTIVE

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

3.1. Give structure to the institutional, political and governance communication of the Salesian Congregation.

3.1.1. Contributing with projects and campaigns for social, economic, educational and sustainable future development, to raise awareness of the situation of the poorest and most needy (cf. guideline 7, AGC 433, 45-48).

3.1.1.1. Ensure an educational policy of digital inclusion rights for young people in poorer regions, using digital platforms for distance learning and educational-professional opportunities (SyG 89).

3.1.1.2. Support the Missions sector in spreading awareness in the Congregation of the situation of refugees and displaced persons in refugee camps, of gypsies and indigenous peoples, promoting greater coordination for a more effective and robust commitment.

3.1.1.3. Give more visibility and circulation to the Don Bosco Green Alliance project together with the Youth Ministry Sector (SyG 89).

3.1.1.4. Create a Salesian Digital Forum where all those who have an interest in spreading the faith in a “Salesian” way, or who wish to deepen their knowledge of Salesian spirituality and the Salesian educational system, can meet.

3.1.1.5. Accompany the Congregation's request concerning ethics and protection of children so that in every Salesian province and house there may be a code of conduct for the care, prevention and defence of the children entrusted to us, with the commitment to protect them from any kind of abuse, wherever it may come from (cf. LS 137).

OBJECTIVE

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

4.1. Experience communication as a “Salesian sacrament” of presence (cf. guideline 3, AGC 433, 25-29), in an effective and affective way among young people (cf. CEC, Circular Letter to schools, universities and educational institutions. Prot. N. 553 / 10 September 2020) with the heart of the Good Shepherd.

4.1.1. Adopting a style of listening, dialogue and personal and community discernment (cf. guideline 3, AGC 433, 27) to be a joyful and free presence among young people in a digital world,.

[Note: the Salesian “is a living reminder of a presence in which availability, listening, joy and dedication are the essential features which give rise to processes… a joyful and gratuitous presence among young people”, Pope Francis’ message, in AGC 433, 67].

4.1.1.1. Promote pastoral approaches through communication that reach out to today's youth culture in practical ways, to relive the same experience of spiritual fatherhood that Don Bosco lived with his young people (SyG 145).

4.1.1.2. Be present in the digital world with a clear Salesian identity, announcing the Good News with the joy and simplicity of being disciples of the Lord (cf. guideline 3, AGC 433, 25-29).

4.1.1.3. Adopt the educative spirituality and pastoral methodology of communication to outline educational processes and steps, in loving and compassionate listening to young people, helping them to seek and meet the Lord through the great questions of life.

4.1.1.4. Integrate the new dynamics of digital communication such as interactivity, immediacy, convergence and the active role young people play, within education courses (SyG 145).

OBJECTIVE

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

5.1. Inculturate the faith, in communication and the digital world of young people, by giving priority to the centrality of the person (cf. CEC, Ibidem).

5.1.1. Supporting the accompaniment of the initial and ongoing formation of Salesians, lay people and educators to make known the new challenges and opportunities that young people experience in today's new social, cultural and communicative ecosystems.

5.1.1.1. Develop a formation project for communicators as “experts in humanity” who are capable of fostering educational dialogue in the youth habitat.

5.1.1.2. Involve our universities in networking with other centres and agencies in the study of the transformations that the digital world is bringing about within the new generations (cf. EG 132).

5.1.1.3. Carry out some studies in collaboration with Youth Ministry on themes concerning the world of youth (young people and intelligent hypermedia, artificial intelligence, algorithms, psychological and sociological aspects resulting from the virtual world.)

5.1.1.4. Organise an integral and ongoing formation course for Communication delegates and teams with suitable programmes and structures.

5.1.1.5. Support the Missions sector in its vision and implementation of Initial Proclamation of the Gospel in the digital environment

5.1.1.6. Organise an International Conference on the Bicentenary of Don Bosco's Dream at nine years of age from the perspective of communication.

OBJECTIVE

PROCESSES

ACTION GUIDELINES

6.1. Collaborate with the other sectors in the processes of formation of Salesians and lay people, to increase basic skills in evangelisation and education of young people in the digital world (AGC 433, 29).

6.1.1. Developing the initial and ongoing formation of Salesians, the laity (cf. point 32. Reciprocal relations between Salesians and lay people in AGC 433, 100), to inhabit the digital world with competence and a renewed missionary spirit.

6.1.1.1. Integrate the anthropological, theological, spiritual and Salesian aspects of digital communication within the Ratio, in collaboration with the Formation sector.

6.1.1.2. Educate Salesians and young people in the knowledge and use of artificial intelligence from an educational, social, pastoral and human governance perspective.

6.1.1.3. Accompany the older Salesians (confessors, spiritual guides) in ongoing formation regarding the virtual world today (ethical aspects, language).