4155(II)_EAO Congress of Past Pupils open in Dili (I)

October 6, 2016

By Mr. Angel Gudina
World Confederation of Don Bosco Past pupils - Vicepresident

Dili, Timor Leste, 5 October 2016 -- Greetings from the Viceprovince of ITM (Indonesia - Timor Leste) and from Dili - the capital of RDTL (Republica democratica do Timor Leste)! We are happy to share a successful opening of the 11th East Asia Oceania Regional Congress of Salesian Family Past Pupils, organized by Don Bosco Past Pupils.

Everything is proceeding right and we have had today the first day of full programme. Bishop of Dili Virgilio da Silva has been very close to all the participants, and to the organizers as well. Fr. Apolinario Neto, as new SDB provincial does always accompany us. Timorese Alumni as usual, are very enthusiastic, there lots of people involved in the organization, so there is quite good family spirit and effective sharing. There are about 300 Timorese participants.

In the opening of the Congress we were energized by the video message of the Rector Major, sent for the participants of this EAO Congress. The 10th successor of Don Bosco inspired us to be faithful to the topic of the Congress - to be more actively committed to our social responsibility as members of civil society. Fr. Angel also stressed the Don Bosco Past Pupils need to grow in connectivity within the large Salesian Family of Don Bosco, as one of it's largest - most numerous group.

Yes, in Dili we have 60 foreign - non Timorese - participants, in spite of the large distance in this 'last corner' of Asia: 10 South Korea, 8 Japan, 8 Indonesia (first time in the EAO regional congress), 2 Thailand, 1 China-Macau, 5 Philippines, 1 Australia and 26 South Asia (India) participants. And future perspectives are very promising with Indonesia. Also with some countries which could not afford coming Papua New Guinea, Nepal and Sri Lanka, which we count on mobilizing for next president's and delegates meeting.

Most of program is possible to watch on Youtube through live streaming. Maybe in lower quality, but anyway that is great!!! Moreover the event is transmitted by some television in Timor. Today you were able to watch the speech of the World Council members - President Michal Hort, and Vicepresidents Angel Gudina (GEX - Young Alumni) and Rajesh Gupta (Asia Vicepresident). All videos you can find at Youtube