Rome (Italy). From 8 to 22 April 2026, the 2nd edition of the formation program “Accompanying When Trauma Hits” took place at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome, promoted by the UPS in collaboration with the Don Bosco in the World Foundation and the Don Bosco Network.
I25 participants – comprising Salesians of Don Bosco, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, lay educators, and young people hailing from various countries (Ethiopia, Zambia, Tanzania, Nigeria, India, the Philippines, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Ukraine, Spain, and the United States), had the opportunity to interact with highly qualified formators, professors, and psychotherapists in order to acquire theoretical and methodological tools for trauma management, which they could then share with and pass on to other educators within their respective contexts of life and commitment.
The objective of this course is, in fact, to form and support educators and teachers working within Salesian institutions or in other ecclesial contexts where armed conflicts occur regarding issues related to trauma management and prevention.
Specifically, in light of the contextual factors that emerged and considering the proposal’s target audience, the formation program aimed to foster competencies for building a culture of peace and collaboration; to develop the skills of educators and teachers in the fields of non-formal education and group management, from an educational and preventive perspective; and to enhance knowledge, abilities, and competencies regarding the subject of trauma, with the aim of enabling participants to design and implement effective educational and preventive support processes within their own real-world operational contexts.
During the two-week course, participants thus deepened their understanding of trauma, which manifests in diverse ways within mission contexts afflicted by conflict and violence. Furthermore, they acquired concrete knowledge and techniques to guide and support young people and communities living in vulnerable settings, a wealth of skills that each participant will carry back to their respective mission environments.
The experience engaged participants in various personal and group dynamics aimed at deepening self-awareness, as well as fostering self-care, skill development, and preventive-educational methodologies. As a result, each participant committed to “paying it forward” within their own Educational Community and area of mission, as a way of sharing the fruits of this enriching experience with others.
At the conclusion of the course, the participants had the opportunity to meet the Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard, who emphasized the importance of the initiative and encouraged everyone to live out the Salesian Charism in accordance with the teachings of Don Bosco, acquiring the skills necessary to respond to the current, emerging, and urgent needs of today’s youth.
For everyone involved, the itinerary served as an opportunity for learning from life, rich in insights, multicultural in nature, and the fruit of extensive experience gained within the realm of Salesian preventive and educational work, as well as an opportunity to forge solid fraternal relationships.
A special word of thanks goes to the organizing team led by Father Jeyaraj Swaminathan and Ms. Slavomira Brigantova, with the hope that this initiative may continue as a project supporting Educating Communities across various continents.
