(ANS – Naples) – Salesians for Social is bringing together members from across Italy to approve the 2026–2029 Program Document from June 5–7, 2026, in Naples, at the E. Menechini Don Bosco Salesian Institute. This year’s theme, “Those Who Love, Educate,” recalls the heart of our mission: to be present, in the charism of Don Bosco, alongside the most vulnerable young people, transforming the educational relationship into a concrete opportunity for growth and a brighter future. Following the 2025 gathering at the Mother House at Valdocco in Turin, the Assembly continues its itinerant journey, bringing the heart of the Network’s life ever closer to local communities.

Organizing Hope

The Program Document emerged from “Organizing Hope,” a participatory process that engaged communities across the country, actively involving members, educators, and young people from different regions. It was not simply a consultative process but a true exercise in organizational democracy, capable of generating vision, responsibility, and shared decision-making.

From the Northwest, with Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta, together with Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna through meetings in Turin and Milan, to the Northeast in Mestre; from central Italy to the South, with discussions in Bari, and finally reaching Sicily, the journey transformed regional listening sessions into strategic direction, giving voice to local experiences and translating them into priorities and commitments for the entire Network.

As Don Tonino Bello once said, “It is not enough to hope; we must organize hope.” This principle forms the foundation of a document that is more than a plan—it is a concrete vision.

The 2026–2029 Program Document serves as a compass for the entire Network. It guides decision-making, defines educational and social priorities, and strengthens our ability to make a meaningful impact in local communities. It addresses major challenges—including educational poverty, vulnerability, school dropout rates, and the risk of delinquency—but above all, it reflects the faces and stories of the young people we encounter every day.

Alongside the institutional proceedings, the Assembly will also host a new edition of the Salesians for Social Youth Forum, a space created to amplify the voices of young people from across Italy. It is here that the Assembly finds its most dynamic spirit: young people are not only heard but become active protagonists in shaping future perspectives and plans.

Fr. Francesco Preite, National President of Salesians for Social, summarizes the essence of this journey:

“This Document is not the product of armchair theorizing but of life in our local communities: of listening, dialogue, and the shared desire to truly be present for the young people entrusted to us.”

He adds:

“The Assembly in Naples will be a moment of synthesis and renewal: an opportunity to recognize ourselves as a Network and to continue organizing hope, transforming it into concrete opportunities for those who have had fewer opportunities in life.”

Naples is a symbolic city where vulnerability coexists with an extraordinary capacity for renewal and redemption. It is the ideal place to come together, reflect, and relaunch the Network’s mission.

Participating in the Assembly is a commitment that involves everyone: members, affiliated organizations, and friends of the mission. Being present means bringing the voice of local communities to the table and helping to build the future together, continuing to believe in young people—especially the most vulnerable—and in their potential.

Information and Program:
https://www.salesianiperilsociale.it/assemblea-nazionale-2026

For information and registration:
Email: segreteria@salesianiperilsociale.it
Phone: 06.4940522