Rome (Italy). On 18 February 2023, in Rome, at the headquarters of the “Giulio Onesti” Olympic Training Center, the protocol of understanding was signed between the President of the Salesian Youth Sports Center (PGS), Ciro Bisogno; and the President of Salesians for Social Affairs, Fr. Francesco Preite, to promote sports initiatives aimed at youth contexts. The signing of the protocol took place following the letter of intent between the President of the National Center of Salesian Works (CNOS), Fr. Roberto Dal Molin; and the PGS President Ciro Bisogno, signed on the feast day of St. John Bosco. In this way, Salesiani per il Sociale will have a fundamental role in developing concrete actions at the service of the territory with the PGS.
In the Press Release of Salesians for Social Affairs APS we read:
Through a renewed sharing of choices, objectives, and goals, the intent is to promote and develop social policies together through sports for the good of young people, especially the most disadvantaged and at risk of social exclusion. Presentation of social sports projects, development of sports activities in the territories, formation courses aimed at those who work in sports, organic monitoring of the interventions and projects implemented together concerning the contrast of educational poverty and the promotion of an inclusive social context for young people are the key points of the agreement.
The PGS have joined the network of Salesians for social APS as an ordinary member. Previously, the other associations promoted by the CNOS had already joined Salesians for Social Affairs: Social Youth Tourism (TGS) and Sociocultural Youth Film Clubs (CGS).
“The National Center of Salesian Works shares with the PGS the educational mission in sports animation, already underway in many territories, and with this renewed commitment, where suitable conditions are created, it will be possible to further start and support paths and initiatives for the growth of young people in a Salesian style,” declares Fr. Roberto Dal Molin, President of the National Center of Salesian Works.
“The Salesian Youth Sports Centers have young people and their integral growth at heart. This renewed spirit of sharing with the Salesians of Don Bosco and the presence of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians will make it possible to strengthen the development of sports as an instrument of social cohesion with a strong educational impact. The associative identity is essential to carry out our mission in the territories on a daily basis,” asserts Ciro Bisogno, President of the Salesian Youth Sports Centers.
“Sports, especially in our peripheries, presents itself more and more as a social place to welcome and educate children and young people in the style of Don Bosco. The protocol signed between Salesians for Social Affairs and the PGS will allow them to collaborate together on projects, sports activities, and the formation of sports animators. We are also pleased to welcome another national reality such as the PGS into the Salesian social network, after having already welcomed CGS and TGS,” declares Fr. Francesco Preite, President of Salesians for Social Affairs.
The Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Italy continues to guarantee its charismatic presence within the PGS, for the integral formation of young people through sports. The protocol of understanding between PGS and Salesians for Social Affairs represents the first step towards an increasingly constructive and effective dialogue that makes educational convergence visible.
