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4641(II)_FMA 'Verifica' of CIAO listens to the young people

East Asia FMA Provinces held their mid term evaluation in Thailand

February 14, 2018

Samphran, Thailand, 13 February 2018 -- The regular 'Verifica' (FMA Sessenium mid term evaluation) from 9 to 13 February was held in Thailand. It's main goal is to evaluate FMA journey from 2014-2018 and offer indications for the theme of the next General Chapter 24 (2020).

The CIAO conference (Conferenza interispettoriale Asia Orientale = East Asia Interprovincial Conference) includes 9 Provinces (China, Japan, Korea - Mongolia, Thailand, Cambodia - Myanmar, Vietnam - Laos, Timor Leste - Indonesia and Philippines - PNG).

There are 43 participants from 14 countries at this important gathering: Mother General Sr. Yvonne with her Councilors: Sr. Maria Assunta Sumiko Inoue, Sr. Runita Borja, Sr. Alaide Deretti, and Sr. Paola Battagliola, with 28 FMA Sisters invited from the CIAO provinces, 7 Lay Mission partners and other 5 young people. The proactive presence of the young people and lay mission partners made this 'Verifica' very special.

One of the invited youth (Vides Japan), Mr. Raphael Makoto Yamada share his experience:

"During these five days I feel some potential and need to connect among the FMA Sisters and Youth especially in East Asia with much more active attitude, to become really proactive in each context.

This is because each country in Asia has its specific character to share so it will be very fruitful to know them and exchange their youth to work together when there are some needs, opportunities and possibilities.

Don Bosco's syle of education, the Preventive System could penetrate into our busy modern world, because we need to be 'Proactive' too in many business-oriented situations. I think, that becoming 'Preventive' can be translated today as 'Proactive' too. We, the Asian Youth, can be proactive in Don Bosco's style as we have many sense of observing own context and share it worldwide.

After these five days, listening to the FMA sister and their Youth, I feel it is hopeful and necessary to in the future to facilitate more connections between FMA sisters and Young people! This will bring more constructive and fruitful dialogue at international level and many fruits at home as well!"