(MissionNewswire) The Don Bosco Catholic University in Campo Grande, Brazil, has recently launched its first international postgraduate course known as “Salesianity.” The course is intended for collaborators of Salesian programs and centers, members of the Salesian congregation, and committed lay people. The specialization has been offered in other areas of Brazil as distance learning since 2017. In total, the course has 360 hours of lessons in Spanish and Portuguese.

According to the coordinator of the specialization course, Brasdorico Merqueades Santos, the “Salesianity” course is an excellent opportunity to learn about Don Bosco’s life, work, and pedagogical, pastoral and spiritual teachings. He said, “The course provides knowledge of Don Bosco as an educator who emerges from the complex context of the nineteenth century and offers specific answers to its reality. At the same time, the course brings the reflections of the rich Salesian teaching, offering educational and pastoral paths suitable for youth.”

Don Bosco’s entire preventive system is analyzed in the course, starting from his early experience in Valdocco, Italy, up to the demanding dialogues proposed by today’s scientific topics. Santos added, “Each academic reflection offered aims to bring about a personal benefit for growth in the life of faith, in family life and in the life of the Church.”

Totally accessible via the web, the course is divided into nine specific disciplines and the teaching staff is made up of teachers and researchers from different countries who specialize in Salesian pedagogy.

Salesian missionaries in Brazil provide education, workforce development and social services throughout the country and specifically focus on children with disabilities within several programs. Missionaries help to meet the basic needs of poor youth, including street children, and provide them with an education and life skills to gain employment, break the cycle of poverty and lead productive lives.

The World Bank estimates that about 28.6 million Brazilians moved out of poverty between 2004 and 2014. But from the start of 2016 to the end of 2017, the World Bank estimates that 2.5 million to 3.6 million fell back below the poverty line earning less than 140 Brazilian reais per month. Economists blame high unemployment, near 13 percent, and cuts to key social welfare programs for challenges in the country.

Issues of income inequality and social exclusion remain the root causes for those in poverty. Inequalities also exist in access to education and educational efficiency. These inequalities are greatest for children and youth who are poor, live in rural areas or who have an incomplete compulsory education. Salesians working with poor youth and their families in Brazil develop programs and provide youth with opportunities for furthering their education and skills.

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ANS – Brazil – “Dom Bosco” Catholic University of Campo Grande launches its first international postgraduate course

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