What is the level of knowledge of the Preventive System within your group?
In general, the level of knowledge of the Preventive System can be considered between basic and intermediate, although in some contexts there is a deeper and more practical experience of its principles. Most participants have come to know the Preventive System through workshops, formation experiences, moments of reflection, morning and afternoon meetings, as well as through daily life and accompaniment with young people.
It is recognised that the Preventive System guides the educator in accompanying young people, helping them to find meaning in their lives through formation based on reason, affection and religion. Similarly, closeness, listening and appropriate accompaniment are valued as fundamental elements of this educational style.
Although there are still some newly recruited staff who do not have a full understanding of the subject, there is a willingness and interest to explore it further through reading, studying and reflecting on documents and experiences that will strengthen their understanding and practical experience of the Preventive System.
Is it considered not only a pedagogical practice but also a source of spiritual life?
Yes, the Preventive System is considered not only a pedagogical practice but also an authentic source of spiritual life. More than an educational method, it is perceived as a way of life that one seeks to live with conviction, drawing inspiration from the example of St John Bosco.
The Preventive System helps us to live the gospel through closeness, respect, joy, accompaniment and fraternity, fostering a deeper relationship with God and with others. Furthermore, it encourages us to carry out every action with love, commitment and a sense of mission, promoting the human and spiritual growth of those who practise it.
It is also recognised that it transforms students into good Christians and honest citizens, placing God at the centre of activities and helping to discover his presence in young people and in daily life.
In your work of animation and leadership, what concrete impact does the Preventive System have?
The Preventive System has a significant and positive impact on the way we accompany, animate and work with young people and communities. It fosters a climate of closeness, trust, fraternity and shared responsibility, in which people feel valued, listened to and loved.
Furthermore, it strengthens institutional identity and teamwork, promoting more horizontal, cordial and committed communication. It also influences the decision-making process and the way we act in accordance with reason, charity and religion, helping to prevent conflicts and strengthening peaceful community life.
Its impact is felt not only within the institution, but also in families and communities. Many people recognise in the students and graduates of our institutions attitudes, values and habits that reflect the formation they have received. In this way, the Preventive System becomes a way of life that is then replicated in various social, family, religious and community spheres, forming leaders, professionals and citizens committed to human and Christian values.
In which situations is it most difficult to act in accordance with the Preventive System?
The greatest difficulties in acting in accordance with the Preventive System arise in situations of tension, pressure, family conflicts or difficult work environments. At times, a lack of time, stress or pressure to achieve results means that attention is focused more on tasks than on people, making dialogue, patience and a preventive attitude difficult.
It is also a challenge when young people come from complex family backgrounds, lack guidance or do not participate in spiritual formation, which limits their integration and participation.
Another significant challenge arises in the religious sphere, especially when working with students who belong to other religious denominations and do not identify with certain spiritual activities, making it difficult to experience the third pillar of the Preventive System, that of religion.
Similarly, it is also recognised that acting in accordance with the Preventive System becomes difficult when there is a lack of empathy, closeness and love towards young people or members of the community, especially when one fails to make the young person feel truly loved and supported.
In times of difficulty, do you find in the Preventive System a guiding light for your actions?
Yes, the Preventive System is seen as a light and a guide that directs our actions in times of difficulty. More than a tool, it is understood as a way of life that helps us face situations through dialogue, accompaniment, understanding, respect and hope.
In difficult times, the Preventive System invites us to educate and accompany with love, patience and humanity, understanding the diverse personal and family realities of young people. Furthermore, it encourages reflection and discernment through the analysis of situations in the light of reason, faith and Christian values.
Reflection, consensus, agreements and shared experience enable us to find guidelines and solutions that strengthen human and community relationships. In this way, difficulties are transformed into opportunities for growth, learning and openness to new horizons, lived out in faith, hope and love.
