October 13, 2021, Online Zoom Conference - The EAO Delegates for Social Communication and other Salesian Communicators gathered virtually in Zoom for the third conference of the Social Communications School of Formation organized by the Dicastery of Social Communications from the Generalate in Rome. Fifty-three (53) attendees participated in the online event.
After Fr. Ambrose Pereira, SDB facilitated the preliminaries, Fr. Gildàsio Mendes, SDB, general councillor for Social Communications gave the welcome address. Fr. Ricardo Campoli, SDB, a member of the Dicastery gave the input to the group. His presentation centred on the question "What is our identity as Salesian communicators?". Fr. Ricardo highlighted that the Salesian style of communication is a daily exercise of relationships, in the sharing of life with young people. Using an interactive website, Fr. Ricardo guided the attendees through hallmark Salesian texts on our style of communication: Fr. Pietro Stella's research on Don Bosco's understanding of social communication, the defining text for Salesian charism in Don Bosco's dream at nine, and the letters of the previous three Rectors Major - Vigano, Vecchi and Chavez. Providing these source materials, Fr. Ricardo asked the attendees to read, reflect and listen. He parted with some questions for reflection both personal and for the different provinces to share and discuss. He challenged everyone to come up with a photo composition that will capture the provinces' understanding of Salesian communication today.