Seoul, South Korea, 22 August 2022 -- SIGNIS - The World Catholic Association for Communication (established in 2001) is a Vatican accredited organization of Catholic lay journalists and communicators working in the fields of TV, Radio, Cinema (Film), Journalism, Internet and Media Education. Among the 130 'national' members of all 5 continents are also two SDB institutions, Don Bosco Radio (Madagascar) and TV NOE (Czech Republic) on behalf of these two countries. And many other Salesian Family institutions or leaders are members of this world-wide network.
Since the foundation of SIGNIS (Sign + Ignis = meaning message and light a fire), the World Congress has been held in 2000 in Italy (Rome), 2005 in France (Lyons), 2009 in Thailand (Chiang Mai), 2014 in Italy (Rome) and the 2017 World Congress in Canada (Quebec). Among the 'International members of SIGNIS' present have been also Salesians of Don Bosco International and some other 10+ religious global networks.
The SIGNIS world congress participants very much appreciated the Message of Pope Francis and also the FABC (Federation of Asian Bishops Confrerences) President, Cardinal Charles Bo, SDB. Among the 91 non-Korean participants in Seoul were also 3 SDBs (ANS director Fr Harris Pakkham, PGS SIGNIS Fr Ambrose Pereira and Fr Vaclav Klement) as well 3 SDBs from KOR province (Fr Henry Woo, Fr Paul Kang and Fr Andrew Chang) and many 'Friends of Don Bosco' from all continents (Vietnam, India, Panama, Bangladesh, Malawi and Hungary).
The rich program dealt with very relevant topics in today's world: Peace and the Digital world, Fake news and Trust, Climate Change - from the Catholic communications point of view, although many other non-Catholic experts contributed (on and off-line) to this 3 day program. Among the youngest contributors was Korean Family member, Ms. Choe Junk-kyeong, who shared her own experience on 'Environmentalism in Everyday Life' as a Trend. As a podcast producer she was involved in the Salesian Youth Center (Seoul) and in 'Friends of Beluga & (FHEW: Friends of Heaven, Earth and Water).
Given that the SIGNIS World Congress was organized in Seoul, there was a broad opportunity to experience Korean culture (from -Pop to the traditional Korean royal palace), the Korean Catholic Church - both in the Seoul city context (outing to the North Korean boarder, Mass in the Seoul cathedral and Martyrs Shrine Soe-so-moon) as well in the digital world (impact and evangelization opportunity with K-Pop, a new movie about the first Korean Priest, Saint Kim Andrew dae-gon). For international participants to the SIGNIS it was also a chance to visit Salesian Family educative and pastoral settings in Seoul (SDB, FMA and Caritas Sisters of Jesus).
This 2022 SIGNIS world congress is over, but the rich materials are available in the digital space - five sessions (each 3-4 hours) are available on the YouTube channels of the CBCP (Korean Catholic Broadcasting) in English and Korean versions as well on the SIGNIS world social media. These 15 hour videos offer top-quality formation materials open to all!
Multiple messages and inspirations of this world level Catholic communication event are 'in our hands' - to understand better the movement of present cultures and societies within digital dynamics; to learn how to network within and outside the Catholic Church for the sake of the Gospel and people in need; to learn from highly committed journalists and communicators who are courageous actors on the frontline of many conflicts and wars as tools of peace.
Personally I offer from my heart the Prayer-Song of Saint Francis of Assisi: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace!
SIGNIS World
SIGNIS Seoul 2022 (Korea Catholic CBCP: ENGLISH channel)
Day 1: August 16
Day 2: August 17
Day 3: August 18 (AM session)
SIGNIS Facebook - Seoul 2022 videos
SIGNIS Seoul 2022 (KOREAN channel - Live streaming, Aug 16-18)
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Korean speaker Choe jungyong
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