Formación, Noticias Salesianas Mundiales

6th Congress on Social Education Brings Together Salesian Educators to Discuss “New Frontiers”

(ANS – São Paulo – September 30, 2026) – El September 25, the Don Bosco Social Center in Itaquera (São Paulo) hosted the 6th Congress on Social Education on the theme “New Frontiers and the Role of the Social Educator.” Social educators and professionals from Salesian organizations, together with representatives from various institutions, took part in a day of formation, reflection, and the exchange of experiences on the challenges of socio-educational work.

Fr. Aramis Francisco Biaggi, Director of the Center, explained that this year’s event, attended by approximately 800 participants, reaffirmed the commitment to the formation of educators and youth leadership, which lies at the heart of Salesian pedagogy. Fr. Rosalvino Morán Viñayo, founder of the organization, thanked those present and, in the style of the Dom Bosco Samba School in Itaquera, gave the event a “score of 1000.”

Three Frontiers

The program was structured around three key areas:

  • “Human Lives and Life Paths”
  • “Care and Inclusion,” focusing on diversity, mental health, and active listening
  • “Digital and Technological Cultures,” exploring the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on relationships and education

These themes emerged from the needs identified by the educators themselves, as highlighted by Jéssica Silva, Coordinator of the Province’s Social Action Commission.

The Panel

An interdisciplinary roundtable discussion, moderated by Professor Rita Maria Lino Tarcia, brought together Diego Amaro de Almeida (historian, UNISAL), Duílio Fabbri Junior (Vice Chancellor of UNISAL), and Antonio Sávio da Silva Pinto (lawyer and lecturer at UNISAL).

The discussion centered on teacher training and artificial intelligence, digital communication, and the rights of people with disabilities. In the afternoon, workshops and discussion sessions applied these concepts to everyday practice.

Cristiane Vitale, Executive Director, emphasized the need to combine technology with the human dimension “so as not to lose our humanity.”

Hackathon

Young people between the ages of 11 and 31 from at least eight cities took part in a hackathon led by the Department of Health Informatics at Unifesp. Working in teams of five to seven people, they identified social problems and presented solutions.

Four projects were presented:

  • “Diga Não ao Bullying”: a website focused on combating bullying
  • “InovaThon”: a platform for reporting a lack of accessibility on public transportation
  • “Sociedade da Alegria”: a school subject focused on racism and promoting anti-racist education
  • “Friends”: public channels providing reliable information to combat disinformation

Professor Claudia Galindo Novoa, who led the initiative, explained that the project forms part of the university’s mission of teaching, research, and community outreach.

The Salesian Commitment

BSP Provincial Fr. Alexandre Luís de Oliveira referred to the “human peripheries” highlighted by Pope Francis.

The Congress reaffirmed the role of educators as a significant presence in local communities and the commitment to translate what was learned—thanks above all to the young participants—into educational practices that address the challenges facing communities.