By Ms. Taichi Miranda
EAO Coordinator
World, 27 July 2020 -- The Global Lead Team of the Don Bosco Green Alliance (DBGA) convened for the first time in a virtual meeting on 25 July 2020, 6:30pm Mumbai time. It was attended by Fr. Savio Silveira, SDB, the Convener of the alliance, Macson Almeida, the Executive Secretary, the representatives of each region namely Fr. Silvio Torres, SDB (America South Cone), Br. John Njuguna, SDB (Africa-Madagascar), Fr. JerryThomas Pathikulangara, SDB (South Asia), Ms. Mariana Cejudo (Interamerica) and Taichi Miranda (EAO). Two other representatives from Europe are still to be finalized and soon will be on board with the team.
Getting to know one another was one of the main objectives since it was the first meeting. Fr. Savio presented to everyone the DBGA in a nutshell. The role and responsibilities of the regional representatives were initially brainstormed. Although the team has yet to finalize the profile of the regional coordinators in the next meeting, Fr. Savio said that the general gist of the Global Lead Team is to collectively gives direction and lead the alliance and thus proposed the following tasks: Make known the alliance in the respective regions; Invite Salesian Family institutions to become members; and ensure that people especially the members are actively engaged. The regional representatives were encouraged to form and work with a regional eco team which might be composed of SDBs, FMAs, lay partners, youth and other Salesian family members who have passion on environmental actions.
The Global Lead Team is still in the initial stage of setting up its structures and job descriptions. However, looking at the vision and mission of the alliance, one essential aspect was made clear during the meeting: the alliance works closely with the youth ministry. Hence, the DBGA-EAO network would like to gear its primary direction towards strengthening the collaboration with the youth ministry coordinators of each province and together involve the young people in becoming stewards of the common home.
Surely, there were already wonderful environmental initiatives that have been taken place in the region and DBGA-EAO network continues to support this movement and at the same time invites non-members to take time in knowing DBGA and be open to integrate their enthusiasm to the alliance, where everyone can learn from each other and inspire each other globally.
Furthermore, one of the highlights of the meeting was the upcoming Season of Creation, an annual ecumenical celebration of prayer and action to protect creation which falls on 1 September, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations. This could be a good start to activate another diverse yet enriching and solid collaboration within the EAO province in the area of DBGA.
