The meeting opened with a prayer by Fr Joseph Basson, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, and brought together a total of 23 people, including religious and young people, in an atmosphere of fraternity, reflection and dialogue.

The working document, the result of provincial reflection that also incorporated contributions from the various Salesian communities of the Province, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) of the Province of West Africa (AFO) and the young people of the SYM, structured the exchanges around several main themes: A particularly significant aspect of the assembly was the active involvement of the young leaders responsible for the SYM, both in the preparatory phase and in the presentation and discussion of the issues raised. In collaboration with Fr Elie Assogba, Coordinator of the OCG/MGS sector, the young people present brought the voices of their peers to the discussion, making relevant contributions and fostering constructive dialogue with the consecrated members of the Salesian Family on the current challenges and future directions of the movement:

• the difficulties encountered in different locations;
• the current challenges of the SYM at the local level;
• future prospects for a more dynamic and impactful movement;
• strategies for emancipation in local contexts;
• and concrete actions to be adapted in the field.

In view of the next steps to be taken, the OCG/SYM provincial team now plans to draw up a calendar aimed at proposing a framework for the SYM which will be submitted to the communities, local coordinators and young people for any changes and amendments before being approved by the Provincial Councils of the Salesians of AON and the FMA of AFO.

This first Youth Ministry Focus Assembly therefore represents a fundamental step in the process of re-reading and rebirth of the SYM at provincial level, using a participatory and concrete approach, such as to be effective and appropriate for local circumstances.