About educational quality

48.The proposals guide toward the empowering of itineraries in which the quality of the educational relationship becomes fundamental and in which all dimensions are cared for and integrated, from those that are affective, cultural and recreational to those that are social and religious, to the point of favoring the vital encounter with Christ.

Formation of critical thought

In view of integral education, the provinces bring out the importance of reinforcing the processes for the formation of critical thought, in such a way as to promote autonomy of thinking and deciding, favoring a correct reading of the phenomenon of globalization and of the culture of communication/information, with particular reference to the new technologies.  They emphasize the importance of leading the young people to produce and spread alternative cultural messages through the conscious, critical and positive use of such means.

Education to love

One of the fields where educational urgency is most strongly felt is that of the education to love and sexuality, as is also the formation of the moral conscience in the light of evangelical instance and that of the pontifical magisterium, especially for that which regards the bioethical area and its applications.

Education to gratuity

In the Syntheses, we also find proposals regarding the responsible use of leisure time.  Among these there emerges the promotion of a culture of gratuitousness and closeness through volunteer service.  In the furrow of Salesian tradition, different provinces ask for the revival of the artistic sense, love for beauty and the joyous celebration of feasts.

Preferential attention for the poor

All the provinces accentuate the urgency of assuming a more decisive commitment in favor of the poorest young people.  In this proposal, the data brings out the need to create educational environments where they feel effectively loved, welcomed and restored to life.   There is a need for environments that offer concrete opportunities also on the level of formal education beginning from early literacy to the consolidation of professional formation.

Educational attention brought out by the Syntheses regard some specific areas

Education to faith

49* To reinforce the itineraries of education to the faith through the explicit proclamation  of Jesus.

From this point of view, it is proposed that we qualify the commitment to evangelize through an educational project that helps to make a synthesis between faith and culture and life. 

In reference to the vocational dimension, the proposals limit themselves to recalling its importance throughout the educational process, with a specific attention to the accompaniment of young people who show signs of religious, Salesian vocation.

SYM

              50.  * To empower the Salesian Youth Movement, to animate youth groups and to favor leadership

We recognize that in the assumption of the proposal for Christian life, condensed in  Salesian youth spirituality , educators and young people travel together on a journey of sanctity and contribute to the building up of a more just society in solidarity.

Socio-political education

51.  * To promote systematic education to peace, justice, solidarity and ecology.

In the light of the social teaching of the Church, many provinces propose reflection on the initiatives in favor of social justice and the knowledge of the fundamental laws that regulate politics, the environment, the market.  They emphasize the importance of promoting projects that activate workshops to experience democratic life and the social dimension of political commitment.

Inter-cultural, inter-religious education

52* To appreciate the multi-cultural aspect and cultivate openness to inter-culture to collaborate in the building up of a peaceful multi-ethnic living together

 The province syntheses focus on the need to know and appreciate one’s own culture and that of others overcoming eventual prejudices and accepting the challenges of dialogue present in the international context and consequent inter-culture. They are aware that the commitment to carry out a change of mentality requires respect for diversity, acceptance of limitations, capacity for meeting and reciprocal enrichment.

They also bring out a particular attention to the promotion of inter-religious and ecumenical dialogue united to the need for studying the specific content of the Catholic religion.

Health education

53* The proposals of some provinces refer in a specific way to the battle against AIDS and drug dependency.

We seek to invest our resources in the prevention, education and accompaniment of the young people who are victims of AIDS and we are aware of the need to present to competent authorities projects in favor of the detoxification of adolescents and young people who are dependent on alcohol and drugs.