Benin – Rethinking the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) in the AON Province: the beginning of a bold journey
(ANS – Cotonou) – As part of the activities planned for the 2025-2026 pastoral year, Friday, 20 February 2026 saw the first Youth Ministry Focus Assembly of Our Lady of Peace Province of North West Africa (AON), which focused on the theme ‘Rethinking the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM)’. The assembly saw the direct participation of local and national SYM coordinators, those responsible for Oratories-Youth Centres (OCG), and two young leaders who are members of the Provincial OCG/SYM Team.
The meeting opened with a prayer by Fr Joseph Basson, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, and brought together a total of 23 people, including religious and young people, in an atmosphere of fraternity, reflection and dialogue.
The working document, the result of provincial reflection that also incorporated contributions from the various Salesian communities of the Province, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) of the Province of West Africa (AFO) and the young people of the SYM, structured the exchanges around several main themes: A particularly significant aspect of the assembly was the active involvement of the young leaders responsible for the SYM, both in the preparatory phase and in the presentation and discussion of the issues raised. In collaboration with Fr Elie Assogba, Coordinator of the OCG/MGS sector, the young people present brought the voices of their peers to the discussion, making relevant contributions and fostering constructive dialogue with the consecrated members of the Salesian Family on the current challenges and future directions of the movement:
the difficulties encountered in different locations;
the current challenges of the SYM at the local level;
future prospects for a more dynamic and impactful movement;
strategies for emancipation in local contexts;
and concrete actions to be adapted in the field.