The Pontifical Salesian University (UPS), in collaboration with the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences "Auxilium," has launched a new three-year research project titled: "Salesian Educational Experience. Rethinking the Preventive System 150 Years After Don Bosco’s Writings".
In 2027, the 150th anniversary of the publication of Don Bosco’s renowned text—where he sought to synthesize the distinctive features of his educational experience—will be celebrated. In an era marked by profound social and cultural changes that significantly impact the way education is conceived and practiced, this anniversary presents a meaningful opportunity to reflect on how Salesian works have responded to the challenges of the times and to assess the extent to which the original inspiration of the Preventive System continues to guide contemporary pedagogical choices.
"The research we intend to undertake," stated Don Andrea Bozzolo, Rector of UPS, "will be structured through a series of seminars aimed at highlighting the key characteristics of our pedagogy in the context of challenges posed by individualism, relativism, digitalization, and multicultural globalization. This journey will allow us to explore the dialogue between the rich Salesian educational heritage and the main pedagogical models that have emerged in recent decades, developing a critical and forward-thinking interpretation of the educational-pastoral projects of Salesian Provinces, the pedagogical models of different cultures, and best educational practices".
The program includes a series of interdisciplinary meetings between professors and experts from the two Academic Institutions, according to the following schedule:
- Saturday, June 21, 2025 (morning and afternoon)
- Saturday, October 18, 2025 (morning and afternoon)
- Saturday, April 18, 2026 (morning and afternoon)
- Saturday, October 17, 2026 (morning and afternoon)
The first seminar, scheduled for Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Egidio Viganò Hall at UPS, will focus on "Educational Models and Youth Worlds". The discussion will examine the main pedagogical currents currently at the center of debate, including:
- classical pedagogy and character education;
- pro-social and civic education;
- the therapeutic model in education;
- competency-based pedagogy;
- the digital approach in educational training.
The seminar will adopt an interactive methodology. In the first phase, experts will present each approach, illustrating schools of thought, methodologies, implications for youth issues, and possibilities for integration and advancement. In the second phase, participants will engage in small-group discussions following the "world café" format.
Through this joint seminar series, UPS and Auxilium aim not only to deepen the central theme of the research but also to promote collaboration between professors and doctoral students from both institutions, paving the way for future shared research projects in the field of education.