Dear friends,
Even those who may seem not to count can change the world, and if not the whole world, then at least a part of it. There are many ways to do this, but each requires sincerity, persistence and courage. Qualities that are inherent in all missionaries, regardless of the form in which they live their service (ad gentes, ad exteros, ad vitam).
I am glad that through my graphical designs, I can bring close, attract and perhaps even inspire people on Don Bosco’s ideas and missions. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words and so it has that enormous power. In fact, it captures the attention without tendering lengthy explanations, it can say with a single glance what may seem difficult to express in words.
Today it might not even be a painting in the true sense of the word but offering a form of visual representation. Converting words into "images", giving them joy, creativity, depth, beauty... communicating the incommunicable. It is therefore my job, my passion to bring that fulfillment.
I wish all of you to experience similar joy through whatever activity you do or whatever task you are assigned and to love everything you do.
▀ Martina Mončeková,
Graphic designer, collaborator in the Missions Sector for graphic work
Development’ is a term that has several implications. It is neither only the reduction of poverty and inequality nor only the accumulation of wealth and greater availability of goods and services. A technocratic development model considers nature as the infinite source of energy and natural resources, falsely claiming that the negative effects of over-exploitation of natural resources, of intensive use of fossil fuels and unprecedented destruction of ecosystems could be easily renewed (LS 23, 24, 106; CV 11, 23, 29).
Similarly, development models that ideologically reject God or are animated by an atheism of indifference, become oblivious to the Creator and risk becoming equally oblivious to human values. They deprive people of spiritual and moral strength that is indispensable for attaining integral human development. A development model without God ends up working for development exclusively at a human level, which easily falls into the trap of thinking one can bring about one’s own salvation and ends up promoting a dehumanized form of development.
Development needs to be ‘true,’ ‘integral’ and ‘sustainable’ in the sense that it considers the economic social, political, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of the human person who has to care for creation for the succeeding generations. This holistic vision of development is rooted in Catholic social teaching but is also shared by other religious and faith traditions, as well as philosophical and wisdom traditions.
Sustainable integral human development is built on three principles: Human Dignity, Solidarity and Subsidiarity. Human Dignity is rooted in the conviction that the human person is created in God’s image and likeness (Gn 1:26). Solidarity is rooted in the recognition that we are the heirs of earlier generations, that we reap benefits from the efforts of those before us as well as from the efforts of our contemporaries and that we are called to care for creation for the succeeding generations. Subsidiary, the key principle of the Church’s social teachings, is the assistance provided by the higher level to the lower order through appropriate means. Inversely, it implies that the higher level does not take decisions meant for the lower competent level, depriving the latter of its functions (CCC 1883).
▀ Don Alfred Maravilla, SDB – General Councilor for the Missions
Dear Sister Viviane, how do you see the situation of women in the environment you come from?
The woman in the Kabiyè land (Northern Togo) is called "Halʋ", a term which etymologically derives from 'haw' and 'lim', that is, 'give' and 'water'. 'Haw' also recalls “luluu” which means “to give birth”.
Essentially, the woman is considered as the one who brings forth life or the one who brings life to the world. This is often represented with the metaphor of "calebasse", a symbolism that highlights its peculiar identity as a bearer of life. However, the importance to this gender is so to say granted in relation to man, as the subordinate. The female figure has been marginalized from the legal, political and religious (traditional) decision-making sphere. Only in the economy do women occupy an important place because they are active in trade. In the ecclesial world, women are actively present given their fervent commitment in liturgical celebrations and with the numerous services they carry out in ecclesial institutions.
In recent years, there has been a progressive revolution in promoting education for all, male and female, and so Togo finds itself far ahead and among the 50.7% of the population made up of women, almost 70% are leaders and managers, thus confirming the woman in her abilities and skills.
What is the biggest obstacle to improving the role and position of women in the Church and in many societies?
In many societies, women are seen in relation to men. Consequently, she is forced to see herself as subordinate. Without wishing to generalize, it seems to me that the high rate of illiteracy among women is one of the terrible barriers to female affirmation.
In your opinion, how can we as SDB Salesians, who are male, contribute to solving this problem?
Education, according to Nelson Mandela, is the most powerful weapon that can be used to change the world. The Salesian education method, i.e. the Preventive System, has a typically feminine style, in the sense that the paths of integral education, schooling, and evangelization favor free choice oriented towards the realization of one's identity, in a social perspective.
As men, your contribution to the cause of women would be to promote the ability to define life on the basis of an understanding of oneself, as men and women, through respect and authentic relationships with each other, in light of the difference that characterizes man and woman, equal in dignity.
