Salesians for Social to Gather in Naples for 2026 National Assembly: “Those Who Love, Educate”
NAPLES – In a continued effort to bring the heart of Don Bosco’s mission closer to local communities, the Salesians for Social will host their 2026 National Assembly from June 5 to 7 at the E. Menechini Don Bosco Salesian Institute in Naples.
Following last year’s historic gathering at the Mother House at Valdocco, this year’s itinerant assembly operates under the inspiring theme, “Those who love, educate.” The core agenda for the nationwide gathering is the approval of the highly anticipated 2026–2029 Policy Document, a strategic guide aimed at supporting Italy’s most vulnerable youth.
“Organising Hope”: A Compass for the Future
The new Programme Document is the direct result of “Organising Hope,” a massive, nationwide participatory process. Rather than being drafted behind closed doors, the document was born from active dialogues involving educators, network members, and young people from across Italy—stretching from Piedmont and Lombardy down to Sicily.
This resulting policy will serve as a crucial compass for the Salesian network over the next three years. It is designed to tackle pressing modern challenges, including:
- Educational poverty
- Youth vulnerability
- Early school leaving
- The risk of social deviance
Amplifying the Voices of the Young
In true Salesian spirit, the assembly is not just for leadership. It will run alongside a new edition of the Salesians for Social Youth Forum. This dedicated space ensures that young people are not merely consulted, but are empowered as active protagonists in shaping the network’s future projects and perspectives.
A Vision Born from Local Realities
Fr. Francesco Preite, National President of Salesians for Social, emphasized the grassroots nature of the upcoming policy.
“This Document is not the product of armchair theorising, but of life in our local communities: of listening, of dialogue, of the shared desire to truly be there for the young people entrusted to us,” Fr. Preite shared.
He further highlighted the significance of hosting the event in Naples—a symbolic city where social fragility is met with an extraordinary energy for redemption. “The Assembly in Naples will be a moment of synthesis and renewal: an opportunity to recognise ourselves as a Network and to continue to organise hope,” he added.
The upcoming assembly serves as an open invitation to all members, supporting organizations, and friends of the Salesian mission to come together, advocate for local communities, and reaffirm their unwavering belief in the potential of young people.