The 4th Meeting of the Don Bosco Tech ASEAN in Phnom Penh – Cambodia

Cambodia, Phnom Penh (25 February 2020). While the Salesian GC28 is going on in Turin, thinking of what the youth of today expect from the Salesians, here in Phnom Penh a small group of Salesians and lay-mission partners have gathered to think of how the TVET (Training Centers) in the 8 EAO countries can fulfill the expectations of the jobless youth.

The 38 TVET Centers of EAO have become part of a capacity building network called the Don Bosco Tech ASEAN. This is an initiative of Fr Klement Vaclav, SDB, the Councilor for the EAO Region, involving Don Bosco Mondo-Germany to facilitate the revitalization of the many Non-Formal Training Centers of the EAO Region. After its first fiscal year, this meeting in Cambodia will clarify reporting formats, financial reports, past achievements and future plans to continue forming God-fearing apprentices and honest citizens.

The first day was set off by the welcome remarks of the acting superior of Cambodia, Fr Ceferino Ledesma, SDB. This was followed by 3 days of sharing experiences, reports, and best practices, and planning, including the visit to the Salesian TVET Center of Phom Penh. Unfortunately, the representatives from Vietnam could not leave their country due to the travel restrictions caused by the Cororna virus.

In one of the sessions, Dr. Duong Vuth, the director of SEAMEO TED (Southeast Asian Center for Technical Education and Development), based in Phnom Penh City, was invited to share insights on collaboration among countries regarding Non-Formal Skills Training. He also praised the Salesians who work among the underprivileged youth and those who can not continue with formal schooling, providing the youth of Cambodia with competencies for their future livelihood.

This meeting hopes to keep the Salesians continually aligned towards the Salesian Strenna of 2020: “Good Christians and Upright Citizens” and also be the answer to what the youth expect from the Salesians of today.