(ANS – Umsawkhwan – September 15, 2026) – The 2026 Meeting of the Youth Ministry Delegates and Network Leaders from the South Asia Region began on September 13, 2026, and is scheduled to run through September 17. The celebration of Evening Prayer, followed by the opening ceremony at Siloam in Umsawkhwan, Meghalaya, officially marked the beginning of the event.
The gathering brought together delegates and coordinators from the 11 provinces and the single Vice Province – Sri Lanka – of the South Asia Region, together with members of the international Youth Ministry team.
The Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony officially welcomed all participants to the regional meeting. The Shillong Province, as the host, extended a warm greeting and welcome to the delegates and all participants, particularly Fr. Rafael Bejarano, SDB, General Councillor for Youth Ministry.
Subsequently, Fr. L. B. Anthony, SDB, Vice Rector of the center, gave a presentation on Siloam, explaining its role as an ideal place for prayer, reflection, and pastoral meetings. This was followed by a welcome address from Fr. Patrick Lepcha, SDB, Regional Delegate for Youth Ministry in South Asia. He expressed his joy at seeing all the delegates gathered together and encouraged them to make the meeting an opportunity for meaningful sharing, reflection, collaboration, and renewal of the mission of Salesian Youth Ministry in South Asia.
Address by the General Councillor for Youth Ministry
Fr. Rafael Bejarano then extended his welcome to those present. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the specific roles and responsibilities that each person holds within Youth Ministry, encouraging participants to value the contribution of every individual and to work in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding.
He also highlighted the need to respect the path chosen by each province, taking into account the diversity of contexts, experiences, and approaches that characterize the Salesian presence.
Finally, Fr. Rafael invited the participants to build bridges together, promoting greater collaboration, communion, and understanding among Provinces, Delegates, and Network Leaders. His message provided important guidance for the meeting, urging everyone to move beyond individualism and converge toward a shared vision and a common mission in Youth Ministry.
The Importance of the 2026 Regional Meeting
The opening ceremony concluded with the “Goodnight” address from Fr. Jeevan K. Lakra, SDB, Vice Provincial of the Shillong Province. Speaking on behalf of the Provincial, he expressed the joy of the INS Province in hosting this important regional meeting.
He offered a brief overview of the geographical areas where the Salesians carry out their mission across the four states of northeastern India, highlighting the diversity and breadth of the Salesian presence in the region. He also invited everyone to make the most of the opportunity for fraternity, sharing, and reflection offered by this time spent together.
Presentation of the Study: “Evaluation of the Implementation of Salesian Pedagogy in Salesian Higher Education Institutions Across India”
An innovative national study on values-based higher education was presented in Shillong in recent days, marking a significant milestone for Salesian institutions across India.
The research publication, entitled “Evaluation of the Implementation of Salesian Pedagogy in Salesian Higher Education Institutions Across India,” was formally launched by Fr. Rafael Bejarano, in the presence of leading educators, researchers, and institutional leaders.
The study, written in collaboration with Fr. Joby Joseph, PhDy Sister Veronica Lalchhanhimi, MSMHC, with the support of St. Anthony’s College in Shillong, offers a comprehensive quantitative assessment of how Salesian higher education institutions integrate Salesian philosophy into daily practice.
Covering 11 Salesian provinces and more than 50 institutions across India, the research involved a wide range of stakeholders—including senior management, teaching staff, support staff, and final-year students—to assess the depth and consistency of values-based education within these campuses.