STATUTES OF THE SOUTH ASIA FORMATION COMMISSION
Revised on 26 Jan., 2006, Bandel, and approved by the SPCSA on 9 Aug. 2006, Mumbai 

EN zip      

1. The South Asia Formation Commission (SAFC) is set up by the Salesian Provincial Conference of South Asia (SPCSA). Its purpose is that of reflecting on, animating and coordinating both the initial and ongoing formation of Salesians within the socio-cultural contexts of the Region of South Asia, which comprises the provinces of India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

2. Its specific objectives are:

I. Study and reflection:

1. to provide a regional-level forum for reflection on and evaluation of matters concerning the formation of Salesians in the region;
2. to engage from time to time in a creative study of various aspects of the actual formation process, paying attention to the directives of the Salesian Congregation and at the same time to the thinking of the Church in the region and of other religious groups;
3. to study in particular the contextualization of our formation in these countries;
4. to encourage research into matters pertaining to formation.

II. Animation:

1. to plan common formation initiatives and to draw up criteria that can serve as guidelines for the provinces in matters concerning formation with the due approval of the SPCSA;
2. to pay particular attention to the Salesian aspects of formation;
3. to promote the formation of formators.

III. Linkage and coordination:

1. to serve as a link between the various provincial and regional centres engaged in the work of formation;
2. to animate and help the provincial formation delegates and commissions in the discharge of their responsibility for formation within their respective provinces;
3. to carry out any mandate given it by the SPCSA and also to offer suggestions to the SPCSA for a better functioning of the formation process in the region.

3. The composition of the Formation Commission is as follows:

1. the Regional Formation Coordinator (South Asia Formation Delegate),
2. the Provincial Delegates for formation,
3. the Director of Don Bosco Renewal Centre, Bangalore (if he is not the SAF Delegate),
4. two nominees of the SPCSA (of whom at least one shall be a Brother and one from the non-formation sector), both of them nominated for a term of three years, and may be renominated;
5. one provincial nominated by the SPCSA who acts as the liaison between the SPCSA and the SAFC,
6. one of the collaborators from the Formation Department of the Congregation.

4. The Regional Coordinator is nominated by the SPCSA. He exercises the following functions:

1. he coordinates the SAFC;
2. he keeps in touch with the Provincial Formation Delegates;
3. he forms part of the Formation Department, with whom he collaborates;
4. he convokes the annual meeting of the Commission and organizes it with the help of the Formation Delegate of the Province in which it is being held;
5. he prepares the agenda for the annual meeting after hearing the Delegates and the Formation Department;
6. he presents to the SPCSA for approval the proposals drawn up by the Commission and informs the members of the decisions given;
7. he keeps the archives of the Commission and draws up the statistics of the Region;
8. he administers the funds of the SAFC; his expenses are met by the SPCSA on a shared basis.

5. The commission:

1. ordinarily meets once a year. In case a provincial delegate cannot attend, his Provincial will appoint a substitute, preferably from the Provincial Formation Commission;
2. works as a team, promoting collaboration and mutual help among the Provinces;
3. maintains a network for animation, collaboration and an exchange of formation experiences making use of a continual communication via email and the internet;
4. networks with the Don Bosco Renewal Centre and the SA Youth Pastoral Commission;
5. invites other Salesians and lay people to the annual meeting, if a particular consultation should be necessary.

6. When the Commission considers it opportune, it may revise these Statutes and submit them to the SPCSA for approval.