4038_Catholic Social Communication Workshop in Myanmar

June 20, 2016

By Fr Leo Mang, SDB

Yangon, Myanmar, 14 June 2016 -- Within the 22 countries of the EAO region Fr. Leo Mang (MYM) is the only Salesian working on full time for the Bishops Conference as the Social Communication National Director (since 2010). Fr. Leo shares with the AustraLasia readers the fruits of a successful Workshop organized by his "Office of Social Communication" (OSC) on the occasion of the 50th Social Communication Day in Yangon, last June 11-14, 2016.

“We had a beautiful seminar on Social Communication on 11th to 15th June 2016 at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar. The Seminar was conducted by Mr. Seàn-Patrick Lovett, Vatican Media Director and Professor of Communications Vatican and his team (Fr. Restie and four Society of St Paul Brothers from the Philippines).

On June 11th - we had a special session for all 18 Bishops of Myanmar was held on 11th June (ONE day). For another 3 days (June 12-14th) there were 45 participants (2 Bishops, 16 diocesan directors of Social communication, 5 other priests, 18 religious sisters and 4 brothers (from 16 different congregations) and two lay person.

On 12th June, the initial Eucharist was presided by His Eminence Cardinal Charles Bo together with 16 bishops from all the dioceses of the country, priests and religious. First day we have learned about CHOICE (AM session) and about CURIOSITY (PM session) as the first virtue of a communicator. On the second day the themes were focus on MEANING (AM session) and about FIVE COMMANDAMENTS of communication. Each communication should be Clear – Concise – Concrete – Credible and Creative. On the third day the whole group studied about IDENTITY of the communicator (Who we are).

“You are the COMMUNICATION.” The voice of Mr. Seàn-Patrick Lovett, from Vatican Radio, English Section, rang loud in the ears of all 50 participants. This workshop focused on the basics of social communication and challenges to the Church to be involved within the social media where most faithful here in Myanmar are familiar especially with “Facebook.”

The fruits of this seminar were over-helming: ‘We are so blessed to understand more deeply about the dynamics of communication today and about the role of Jesus disciples in communicating in the digital world of today. All topics were very interesting and encouraged us to be more creative and courageous in communicating amidst the fast changing cultures today!”

The whole process can be followed on the specific FB: OSC Workshop Myanmar 2016, with 20 short videos of the program and sharing of the participants.