(ANS – Madrid) – The third edition of the Youth Ministry Dialogues took place on 17 April 2026, a day focused on a key concept for understanding the younger generations: friendship. Organised by the National Salesian Centre for Youth Ministry (CNSPJ, in Spanish), on “Towards a Youth Ministry of Friendship”, the meeting brought together educators and pastoral workers with a common goal: to rethink the accompaniment of young people starting from their most meaningful relationships. The day began with a talk by Francisco Ramírez Mora, Director of the Sub-Commission for Youth and Children of the Episcopal Conference, who emphasised that the Church is called to offer young people an authentic relationship rooted in friendship. In a context marked by fragmentation and loneliness, he insisted that the Christian community must listen more, gain a better understanding of young people’s real lives, and give them a leading role. This was followed by talks from the Jesuit Eduard López Hortelano, who explored the theological significance of friendship, and Ariana Pérez Coutad, who offered a sociological perspective on friendship based on studies by the “Fundación SM”. During the day, the prize was presented to Fr Juan Carlos Aonso, winner of the 8th edition of the Young People’s Theological Essay Prize organised by the Spanish publisher “PPC” (Promoción Popular Cristiana). This day highlighted how, in a world where connections abound but bonds can be more fragile, the Christian proposal of friendship presents itself not only as a language understandable to young people, but as a genuine path of humanisation and faith.
