Resolutions of EAO SC delegates 2019-2020

By Mr. Michael Gartland
AUL Social communication team

Melbourne, Australia, 27 November 2019 -- The 2019 East Asia Oceania Social Communication commission was especially notable this year because it took place in conjunction with the Formation commission for the first time. The General Councillor for SC, Fr. Filiberto, shared his inner 'Nunc Dimittis' feeling - finally after 12 years we have succeeded in coming together! This allowed for a flourishing cross-pollination of thoughts and ideas amongst delegates, as everyone had something to add to the general discussion.

Proceedings began on 15 November at Salesian High School in Shaukeiwan, Hong Kong led by the Councillor for Social Communications, Fr Filiberto González. Delegates spent the day reporting their best practices from their respective provinces. The next day was when the two commissions came together to work closely witht each other, as they split off into different groups to examine and extrapoloate a variety of writings by Don Bosco and several Popes.

On the third day the SC delegates received animation from Fr Filiberto González about their important role in communicating the messages of the upcoming General Chapter 28. They then went over the importance of the Salesian Bulletin, the official logo, BoscoLink, ANS, translators and Social Media participation. The final day saw the commission come to a series of resolutions for next 12 months (2019-2020). These points attempt to synthesis a diverse range of responses:

Regional Level

1. Better participation and contribution to BoscoLink - AustraLasia news

2. Pilot testing of “Youth Corner” in the provincial websites

3. Annual Social Communication Delegates Meeting (since 2019)

Provincial Level

1. The need for social media policies in each province

2. The need for training younger confreres for SC ministry (succession plan)

3. Re-echo the discussions, results, and experience of the joint meeting to the provinces.

Personal Level

1. The delegates take effort to visit local communities for animation and formation;

2. The delegates invite more collaboration in the SC ministry with other confreres and young people

After these resolutions were made, the commission reunited with the formation commission for a ‘cultural tour’ of Hong Kong, visiting a few other key Salesian works: Tang King Po School, Mary Help of Christians parish with the Casket of Don Bosco, Vox Amica Press. This was the final act of a very thorough and worthwhile series of meetings during these four days.

NB: We give thanks to the outgoing EAO coordinator Fr. Bernard (Drans) Nolasco (FIN) for the Social Communication (2013-2019) for his consistent communicative passion and outreaching effort to all EAO provinces. We welcome and congratulate also the newly appointed EAO SC coordinator Fr. Peter Pham Van Chinh (VIE). The presence of one former SC Delegate - now the Provincial of Australia-Pacific (AUL), Fr. William Mathews, was also highly appreciated.

Related materials:

EAO 2019 SC-Formation delegates sharing on the Boscolink

(including some delegates personal reflection as well)

https://www.bosco.link/sc/52429

Related news:

AustraLasia 5254 (I) EAO joint meeting of SC - Formation delegates (2019)

https://www.bosco.link/webzine/52808

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