The morning session featured inputs and dialogue with the General Councillors Fr Silvio Roggia (Formation) and Fr Fidel Orendain (Social Communication). The exchange highlighted the urgent need to reinforce formation processes across the Salesian world, particularly in preparing young Salesians for leadership roles within TVET. Participants acknowledged existing gaps in practical training, governance, and interprovincial collaboration, while emphasising the importance of shared formation experiences between Salesians and lay collaborators.

A key theme that emerged was the call to make TVET more inclusive and responsive to the realities of young people today, especially in regions such as Africa, where the majority of the population is under 28 years of age. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring access for marginalised groups – including women, persons with disabilities, and displaced populations – and stressed the importance of recognising prior learning and strengthening pathways from informal to formal skills systems.

The growing importance of communication within the Salesian mission was also underscored. Rather than being seen merely as a technical function, communication was presented as a vital dimension of identity, relationship-building, and evangelisation. Participants were encouraged to adopt confident and authentic storytelling approaches, rooted in lived experience and the transformative impact of the mission.

The integration of digital technologies and artificial intelligence formed another important point of reflection. While acknowledging the opportunities these tools offer for collaboration, formation, and visibility, participants agreed that their use must remain ethically grounded and aligned with Salesian values.

The second session, held in an open-discussion format, focused on developing a shared quality assurance framework for the global network. There was broad agreement on the need for a global task force to design adaptable standards that respect regional diversity while aligning with international benchmarks. The proposed framework would include tiered levels – from minimum standards to excellence – to guide the development and classification of centres.

Participants also highlighted the need to address gaps in accreditation and compliance in some centres, as well as the importance of using assessment data to inform project design, funding decisions, and continuous improvement. In this context, data was recognised as a strategic resource for strengthening impact, transparency, and accountability across the network.

A significant outcome of the day was the shared recognition of the need for a clear and unified global vision and mission for DB Tech World to guide the future of Salesian TVET. Such a vision would strengthen coherence, enhance communication, and reinforce the common identity of the network across continents. A small working group will be established to develop draft proposals, with contributions expected from all continental networks.

In the afternoon, participants visited the Vocational Training Centre at Borgo Ragazzi, gaining practical insight into the Salesian approach to skills development and youth accompaniment. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to connect the day’s strategic reflections with lived realities on the ground.

Overall, Day 4 marked an important step towards greater unity, clarity, and collaboration within the global Salesian TVET network, reaffirming a shared commitment to transforming the lives of young people through quality, inclusive, and values-based education.

Ngure Githinji
Don Bosco Tech Africa