Alumni congress focuses on young past pupils and networking

The two-day event had delegates and members participating from 23 out of 28 countries of the region. First timers included participants from Bangladesh, Nepal, Mongolia, Solomon Islands and Sri Lanka.

With the theme, “Moved by the Spirit”, the Congress brought together some 120 registered delegates on Zoom platform including 40 Salesians and 3 Salesian Provincials from Australia, Indonesia and Thailand. Also participating were Regional Councilor Father Joseph Phuoc and more than 1,500 views of the LIVE Congress streaming on six other language YouTube channels.

Anyone, male, female or other, who received an education in a Don Bosco Family institution is a Don bosco Past Pupil.

World President Mr Michal Hort from Slovakia, Kolkata based World Councilor for Adult Past Pupils of Asia-Oceania Mr Rajesh Gupta, Mr Sergio Lopez-Roy (Europe-Spain) and Br Dominic Nam, SDB (World Confederation Delegate) offered fresh Salesian spirit inspiration to all participants.

The ‘breakout group sharing’ on the Zoom platform with 17 mixed groups (June 25 and June 26) deepened the common bonds and ironed out challenges faced for more effective communication and networking with Young PastPupils (GEX) groups around the 28 countries.

Fruits of the Congress

“Probably never before, the rich sharing of a Past Pupil Congress is so much clearly available to all members: about 40 videos (reports, situation, activity, culture) coming from 15 different countries,” says former East Asia Oceania Regional Councilor and Congress facilitator Fr Vaclav Klement.

All these materials are available on the Boscolink in text and on the GEX-EAO FB page in video format.

Among 7 Resolutions of the Congress include: Role of Delegate – in animation and formation; Starting the past pupil association in new areas; Networking among past pupils; Making use of digital platforms; Forming business chambers; Sense of belonging to the Salesian family; and Have more activities for Young Past Pupils.

Other fruits include the synthesis of the Congress shared by the regional Fr. Phuoc, four very inspiring messages (Rector Major Fr Angel F Artime, Salesian Family World Delegate Fr Joan Lluis Playa, Past Pupils’ World Confederation President Mr Michal Hort, World Delegate Br Dominic Nam and Asia-Oceania Councilor for Adults Mr Rajesh Gupta), two inspiring talks (personal life story sharing from Japan and life-mission story of the first Don Bosco Past Pupil and Founder of the Association, Carlo Gastini).

Heartfelt gratitude

Among the long list of these volunteers that Young Past Pupils’s Asia Oceania Councilor Mr Niel Evangelista mentioned were translators in 8 countries, IT groups in Japan, Thailand and the Philippines, delegates and past pupils who prepared inputs in video format, and key note speakers during three sessions of 3-hour segments over two days, messages, recap and synthesis, goodnight, and prayers

“It was really very interesting and good Congress, an inspiring experience. We are encouraged on our journey as Don Bosco Past Pupils amidst all challenges,” said a Past Pupil from Mongolia.

Another note in WhatsApp group said, “Hope some of you who watched the meeting on YouTube will try to be in the innermost circle of the Association. Helping another young at risk. Let the work of DB continue through you.”