SDB Change Congress

SDB Change Congress
High Expectations from All Parts of the Salesian World

(ANS – Rome – September 8, 2022) – “Those who lead Salesian administration at the local or national level assume a task of great responsibility today. The treasurer is like a locomotive pulling the train, even if the provincial sets the course with his advice. Our economy needs such ‘locomotives of life’ so that the fundamental principles of Don Bosco’s pedagogy – reason, loving-kindness, and religion – are always part of economic action in Salesian institutions.” These words of Bro. Jean Paul Muller, treasurer general of the Salesian Congregation, represent very clearly the importance of having correct approaches, visions, and projections of the Congregation in the world of economics; and therefore also explain the importance of the upcoming “SDB Change Congress” (Rome, September 19-23, 2022).

Although the Congregation’s journey in this field certainly does not begin only now – and in fact the themes that will be addressed at the congress have been the subject of reflection and action for some time already in many provinces around the world – nevertheless, the appointment of the SDB Change Congress intends to give a strong and regenerative impetus to all Salesians around the world, to all their collaborators, and to all those who work for the integral good of young people: the aim is to give definitive words and clear guidelines on some themes that mark and will increasingly mark the lives of young people in the coming years - the sustainable economy, artificial intelligence, communication in the future, and the prevention of corruption – while always keeping Salesian spirituality and leadership firmly in place.

“The themes of this appointment are very interesting,” shared Fr. Martín Lasarte, superior of the Angola vice province, in a video. “I would like to dwell on two aspects: the first is the fight against corruption, because so many countries are having serious problems with transparency. It is a very important issue for us educators, and it starts from our good example to live in legality and help to form honest citizens. The second issue has to do with agriculture, which is an issue of relevance for the whole world and especially for Africa, to diversify the economy and to create in young people this sensitivity to agriculture as a means of livelihood: both as a means to avoid the exodus from rural fields to the big cities, and to preserve nature, because biodiversity is being lost.”

On the topic of spirituality and Salesian leadership, the provincial of Bolivia, Fr. Lider Justiniano Flores, also had his say: “There is a risk that we remain focused on material things to seek answers to current needs. But this is where the treasurer general comes in, to remind us that before being treasurers, we are Salesians; before administering resources to manage works, we are accompanying people; and we have the mission to show them Jesus and the Gospel.” 

From the Northern Philippines Province, provincial Fr. Gerard Martin put forth his expectations: “We definitely always need support for our projects and programs. What we expect from the Congregation is to strengthen the network among the provinces so that we can share contacts, resources, donors, and benefactors and further develop what we do.”

Finally, from Italy, Antonello Vedovato, Salesian Cooperator and founder of Edulife Foundation, who will be one of the speakers at the SDB Change Congress, concludes: “The ecological, social, cultural, and spiritual macro-gaps or divides, combined with artificial intelligence technologies and disruptive network economies, all coinciding with a global pandemic phase and unexpected geopolitical phenomena, make this time an era of exponential and global change. In this challenge, the figure of the treasurer becomes crucial to find a new sustainability in respecting the educational dimension and managing resources to achieve it. We are part of the largest youth educational network in the world. Every day, we meet millions of young people in sincere solidarity between generations. Through the eyes of our young people, together we can discover new forms of sustainability for the future in knowing how to be, knowing how to do, and knowing how to act for the common good with the Salesian charism.”

To get to know the other protagonists of the SDB Change Congress and stay updated on all the latest developments, visit the congress website or the relevant accounts on social networks: the Facebook page, Instagram profile, and YouTube channel.