Salesian World News, Social Communications

National Assembly of Salesians for Social APS: A Living Network for the Future of Young People

(ANS – Turin) – The National Assembly of Salesians for Social APS was held from June 6 to 8 at the Salesian Mother House in Valdocco, Turin, three days of discussion among over 100 delegates from all over Italy. The event represented a key moment to renew the network’s strategic vision, approve the Social Report 2024, elect the new Board of Directors, and relaunch the educational and social commitment towards the most fragile young people.

Francesco Preite, SDB

Fr. Francesco Preite, SDB, was confirmed as President of the Association network for a second three-year term (2025-2028). His re-election represents a sign of continuity and trust in a path of growth, innovation, and educational commitment that has characterised these years.

A Salesian with long experience and a passionate guide, Father Preite traced an intense and courageous balance of his first mandate, emphasising how, in a context marked by global crises – pandemics, wars and climate change – the association network has been able to turn challenges into opportunities: more than 6,300 young people involved in the Universal Civil Service, more than 400 projects launched to fight educational poverty and promote social inclusion, and the construction of participatory governance with 6 Territorial Committees and Principals.

‘I thank the association network for the trust it has once again placed in me,’ Fr Francesco Preite said. ‘We will continue to build educational and social alliances, anchored in Don Bosco’s preventive system and in the politics of care. Together we can generate authentic bonds of solidarity, putting the most vulnerable young people at the center.’ He added: ‘Alone, there is no history. But together we can change it’.

Fr. Preite’s confirmation as president represents a choice of continuity and hope for the association’s mission: to build networks of solidarity and inclusion in favor of minors and young people in difficulty; to consolidate its identity as an associative network; and to strengthen participatory and territorial governance.

The Assembly also approved the new 2025-2028 program, entitled “Organizing Hope”, which outlines five strategic areas of intervention: education, reception, work, training, and civil service.

Left to right: Silvo Zanchetta, Alberto Anzalone, Letizia Scandurra, Valentina Bellis, Francesco Preite, Corrado Caiano, Genaro Balzano, Edoardo Gnocchini, Giuseppe Russo

The new National Board of Directors, in office for the three-year period (2025-2028), will be made up as follows:

  • Valentina Bellis, National Vice-President in charge of Universal Civil Service and Youth Forum;
  • Fr. Alberto Goia, Territorial President Piedmont and Aosta Valley;
  • Fr. Silvio Zanchetta, Provincial Delegate of the Conference of Salesian Provincials of Italy (CISI);
  • Fr. Alberto Anzalone, Territorial President of Sicily and Letizia Scandurra, delegate for Youth Work;
  • Fr. Giuseppe Russo, Territorial President of Southern Italy, and Gennaro Balzan,o called Rino, delegate for Youth Education and Protection of Minors;
  • Fr. Andrea Lupi, Territorial President, Central Italy, and Corrado Caiano, delegate for Association Network Training;
  • Edoardo Gnocchini, Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna territorial president;
  • Fr. Emanuele Zof, territorial President of North East Italy and delegate for the reception and integration of migrants;
  • Ciro Bisogno, President of the Salesian Youth Sports Clubs and representative of the associated national bodies.

The 2025 Assembly forcefully relaunched the network’s mission: to be an educational and social community capable of interpreting the needs of the present and transforming them into concrete responses, focusing on the rights and dignity of the most vulnerable minors, adolescents, and young people.