Aparecida (Brazil). From 19 to 22 May 2025 in Aparecida (SP), at Father Vitor Coelho de Almeida Events Center, near the Basilica of Our Lady Aparecida, the 23rd National Meeting of the Schools of the Salesian Network Brazil (ENARSE) was held and the XVI National Meeting of Local Economers (ENEL). The event brings together the leadership of the schools and Provinces of the Salesian Network Brazil (RSB): Provincials, Provincial Coordinators, Economers, pedagogical leaders, institutional Directors, and Administrative Coordinators of the Salesian schools throughout the Country.
With the aim of promoting ongoing formation in management, pedagogy, pastoral, communicative and administrative-financial dimensions, the meeting aims to strengthen the networked Salesian educative mission.
The program included lectures, thematic workshops, and moments of spirituality. At the opening, Sister Alaíde Deretti, Provincial of Our Lady Aparecida Province (BAP) stressed: “This is a historic moment, strong and graced, to dream about the future for the new generations.” Father Alexandre Luís de Oliveira, Provincial of the BSP Province, highlighted the importance of leadership in the Salesian educative mission. Subsequently, Father Leandro Brum gave the conference, “Managers as architects of the future: the strategic role of leadership in the integral formation of graduates from institutional references.”
The day ended with the Good Night by Sister Ivone Goulart Lopes, Collaborator of the Youth Ministry Sector, who invited to reflect on the importance of hope in the educative mission, “As beacons of hope, we manifest the love of God in school environments, illuminating the way to a full and authentic life.”
On the second day – after prayer led by Fr. Hermenegildo da Silva, Coordinator of the Schools of St. Afonso Maria De’ Liguori Province (BCG), and by Valéria Rodrigues, Coordinator of the Schools of Mary Help of Christians Province (BSP) – The morning continued with the conference, “Educative market and leadership: understanding the customer to generate value in schools,” held by Renato Rocha, who highlighted a school promoting significant experiences for students and families. He presented data on the changes in the profile of Brazilian families and highlighted the importance of active listening, personalized assistance, and strengthening the pedagogical proposal as strategic differentials.
Afterwards, Fr. Sérgio Augusto Baldin and Anderson Leal proposed an interactive activity that led the participants to analyze the educative market through a collaborative game. The dynamics highlighted themes such as qualified listening, the clarity of the pedagogical proposal, and strategic management focused on sustainability and innovation.
In the afternoon, the participants dedicated themselves to workshops on strategic themes for Salesian education, such as educative marketing, innovation in learning spaces, inclusion, conscious use of technology, financial management, and the differentials of Catholic education.
here are some points:
- “Consolidating strong brands” (Andrea Tavares): the importance of integrated communication and strengthening institutional branding as a daily and strategic action.
- “More than a school” (Gregory Rial): Catholic identity can be a transformational differential, especially in times of social fragmentation.
- “From traditional classroom to innovative space” (Elisabete Castanheira): the redesign of school environments for greater involvement and creativity.
- “Educating with connection” (Roberta Freitas): the conscious and pedagogical use of technology, considering the educative potential of mobile phones.
- “For a policy in the perspective of inclusion” (Dr. Hugo Sarubbi and Dr. Vanessa Martins): social justice and sustainability, in relation to the Salesian mission and legal responsibility.
- “Financial management and innovation” (Renato Rocha) presented strategies to align financial sustainability with the educative mission of schools.
The day ended with the Good Night of Fr. Claudio Cartes, Representative of the Salesian Schools in America (ESA) and Vocational Formation Centers, that has resumed Salesian spirituality with gratitude and hope.
The 3rd day was marked by the workshop, “Design of the Future”, led by Paulo Tomazinho, who proposed an immersion in the future possibilities for the Salesian Network. Through the three-horizon methodology (present, emerging trends, and long-term visions), participants were invited to reflect on practices that need redefinition, on current opportunities, and innovative ideas. The activity reinforced the importance of inter-provincial dialogue, active listening, and youth protagonism as pillars of the vitality of the Salesian mission.
In the afternoon, the group made guided visits to significant places of spirituality and Salesian history: the memorial of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Guaratinguetá/SP), the reproduction of the house of Saint John Bosco (Pindamonhangaba/SP), the National Shrine of Aparecida.
The event concluded with the Eucharistic Celebration in the Shrine, renewing the commitment to the Salesian mission of educating and evangelizing to form good Christians and honest citizens, according to the charism of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello.
