The Advanced training Course for salesian leaders in Europe, organized by the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in collaboration with the Youth Ministry Sector of the Salesian Congregation, began on September 23.
The course, titled "Preventive System: In-depth Study, Updating, and Proposals", will last one year. It aims to offer reflections and skills that characterize Salesian educational-pastoral leadership, integrating previously acquired training levels. The objective is to move towards an integrated approach to high-level European Salesian training, seeking synergies between experiences and reflections present in international contexts.
Current societies are experiencing increasingly rapid changes, and Educational-Pastoral Communities need greater dynamism to respond to emerging needs. In the Salesian context, there is an urgent need to improve the quality of the salesian leadership style, enabling each community member to feel an integral part of the Salesian educational mission while promoting responsibility, initiative, and effective collaboration among all members of the Educational-Pastoral Community.
Course Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of the course is to train leaders, both lay and consecrated Salesians, capable of leading processes of discernment, animation, and educational-pastoral and formative coordination with criteria of the Salesian charism in a work or sector of the Salesian mission.
The main objectives are:
- to create a space for exchange and learning among the leaders of Salesian works on the challenges posed by local realities and institutional management;
- to deepen the basic concepts of the Preventive System organized around the dimensions of Salesian history, spirituality, and pedagogy;
- to provide contextualized training tools based on the professional and charismatic situations of Salesian institutions;
- to improve managerial skills in planning, communication, teamwork, leadership, conflict resolution, and training paths for Salesians and laypeople.
Recipients and Requirements
The course is aimed at educators from Salesian presences in Europe who are called to develop national, provincial or local leadership in the training of educational-pastoral agents. To enroll in the course, it is necessary to present a letter of appointment from their Salesian inspectors. Additionally, admission requires a first-level university degree.
Course Structure
The course includes moments of individual activation, group discussions and a final discussion on what has been learned, to encourage updating and contextualization.
It is structured as follows:
- in-person educational activities on the campus of the Pontifical Salesian University (Rome) lasting three working weeks in September, February, and July;
- asynchronous distance learning activities using UPS’s dedicated IT supports and platforms;
- personal study and final work adhering to the updating of the Preventive System in the participant’s work context.
Training Modules
- Personal Identity
- Identity of Salesian Works
- Leadership and Management in Salesian Houses
- Planning and Projects
- Management of a Salesian Educational Organization
- Spirituality of the Salesian Family
- Contextualized Updating Project
Accreditation, duration and schedule
Attendance of in-person educational parts is mandatory for no less than 75% of the total hours. Participation and evaluation of the course will allow the acquisition of 15 ECTS. The total duration is one year, distributed as follows:
- Three working weeks in person (from Monday afternoon to Friday morning), corresponding to 96 hours of educational activities distributed in three sessions:
- Modules 1, 2 | September 23-27, 2024
- Modules 3, 4 | February 3-7, 2025
- Modules 5, 7 | July 7-11, 2025
- Two intermediate online learning sessions:
- Module 6, Part I | 8 hours - October-December 2024
- Module 6, Part II | 8 hours - February-April 2025
- Personal training: readings, study, online discussions, personal research.
- Final work: 60 hours of personal work.
Useful information
Email: amontesano@sdb.org