Mokambo (Zambia). On 12 and 13 November 2022, twelve local Coordinators of Social Communication, who make up the Social Communication Commission of the Province of Our Lady of Africa (AFC) of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, gathered in Mokambo for formation held by Sr. Léontine Sonyi, Provincial Coordinator.
Six topics were addressed during the meeting: the Institutional Communication Plan, the Province list, the book of songs, the Province website, and a brochure to present the FMA Institute at the Province level.
In introducing the meeting, Sr. Léontine specified that in communicative action one never moves alone. It is a commitment to always be carried out as a team, where each member gives the best of herself. Therefore, the active participation of each, the collaboration, and the contribution of personal resources are essential in planning communication.
Through documents provided by the World Sector for SC, the point regarding the Institutional Communication Plan was then examined. The mission as Local Coordinators for SC is to animate the communities and to make activities and initiatives visible, in collaboration with the other Commissions. The interaction between different educational ecosystems is evidence of a good organization and makes visible the good animation of the Commission within the Province, valuing diversity as a richness.
The communicative commitment is aimed at putting people in contact, encouraging interaction and a spirit of co-responsibility, contributing to formation, and developing critical thinking. Today, with the diversity of means of communication, we have the opportunity to transmit to the world the knowledge and experiences lived personally or in community and, at the same time, to receive those of others, in order to enrich ourselves.
However, it is necessary not to miss the opportunity to give and receive in all truth, as Pope Benedict XVI underlined in his Message on the occasion of the 47th World Day of SCs, speaking of social networks “as a gateway to truth and faith, new spaces for evangelization”, which must therefore be used to transmit the Truth that is Christ. The Pope invites, through social networks, to “share the Message of Jesus and the values of human dignity, which His teaching promotes”.
Participants in this formation had the opportunity to read and share the contents of various SC documents. The Provincial Coordinator insisted on the fact that reading the texts is indispensable for formation and for becoming competent. The Coordinators also had the opportunity to prepare the contact booklet of the FMA of the Province, the booklet of songs, and a booklet on Salesian spirituality, as a tool for vocation pastoral.
The Coordinators expressed their gratitude for this time of formation, which helped to understand the opportunities and weaknesses of the means of communication, especially social networks. As Salesian educators, the FMA are called to know and deepen these environments, to support young people to be active protagonists, to frequent them in a spirit of discernment.
