21/05/2026
CIAO Scuola Educators' Congress in Tokyo
Three basic education schools of FMA Philippines have sent their participants to the CIAO Scuola Educators’ Congress at the Salesian International School in Akabane, Tokyo, Japan, from May 14 to 19, 2026: the directresses, namely Sr. Debbie Ponsaran, FMA, Don Bosco School Manila; Sr. Arlene Rafaela, FMA, Mary Help of Christians School Cebu; Sr. Lyn Yap, FMA, Mary Help of Christians School Pampanga; and their respective principals and assistant principals, and other faculty and staff who hold key roles in the school. The total FIL participants is 13: four from DBS, four from MHCS Cebu, and five from MHCS Pampanga.
The Congress gathered 70 participants composed of Salesian Sisters and Educators from the schools of the Salesian Sisters in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, East Timor, Cambodia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and two Sisters from the FMA Generalate in Rome, namely Sr. Runita Borja, FMA, General Councilor for Youth Ministry, and Sr. Sarah Garcia, FMA, in charge of the Salesian Sisters’ Human Rights Office in Geneva.
The theme of the congress is the Global Compact on Education in the Salesian Style, highlighting the commitment of Salesian Sisters and Educators to forming young people through an education rooted in human dignity, solidarity, dialogue, care for creation, and the integral development of the whole person. The event is organized by CIAO Scuola, an educational organization within the CIAO, Conferenza Interispettoriale Asia Orientale (Conference of East Asia Provinces of the Salesian Sisters). Sr. Anita Kwok of FMA Hong Kong and CIAO Coordinator, explained the journey of the organization in the “Good Night” talk of the first day.
The event commenced on May 15 with heartfelt welcome messages from the Provincial Superior of Japan, Sr. Maria Assunta Michiko Miyawaki, FMA, together with an inspiring written message from Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Superior General of the FMA Institute, and a video message from Sr. Angela Thongyu Kitsakul, FMA, CIAO President. Setting a meaningful tone for the gathering, the first day keynote address was delivered by Sr. Runita Borja, FMA, General Councilor for Youth Ministry, FMA Generalate (Rome, Italy) on the Global Compact on Education lived out in the Salesian style.
Reflection and group sharing on the keynote talk of Sr. Runita followed, allowing the participants to deepen the keynote message and discern meaningful ways of living it out more faithfully in their personal and educational mission. The groups presented their responses during the assembly reflecting on some questions such as: What positive qualities and potentials do today’s young people bring to our world, and what situations challenge and call educators to accompany them more closely? How can networks and alliances strengthen and enrich our educational mission?
At the end of the day, the Japanese students of the Salesian International School warmly delighted everyone with dance and song performances, and a fun Japanese culture trivia.
The moderator of the first day came from FMA Japan, while the third day moderator came from FMA Hong Kong. On the second day, Mrs. Diane Peñano, Guidance Teacher of Don Bosco School Manila skillfully and graciously served as the moderator for the entire second day’s proceedings. On the fourth and last day, Mrs. Janice Cabatuan, Assistant Principal of Mary Help of Christians School Cebu, thoughtfully and skillfully steered the whole second day’s proceedings as moderator.
The first keynote address on May 16 was delivered by Professor Maria Manzon of Sophia University (Tokyo, Japan) on the theme “Pedagogies of Peace with Asian Roots: An Interreligious Dialogical Approach.” She emphasized how Asia’s rich spiritual and cultural traditions can foster peace through dialogue, mutual respect, and compassionate understanding. She also highlighted the importance of an education that forms young people not only in knowledge, but also in empathy, harmony, and a shared responsibility for building a more peaceful world. Personal reflection and group sharing followed, culminating in the participants’ reports during the assembly.
After lunch, Sr. Debbie S. Ponsaran delivered the second keynote address on Day 2 on “AI in Education: Beyond Technological Competence, Nourishing our Humanity and Transcendence through the Preventive System of Don Bosco.” The following are some salient points in Sr. Debbie's keynote address:
“As Salesian Educators, we should progress from a purely utilitarian view of technology toward a formative and spiritual framework. We are addressing the higher-order concerns of integral education, that is, the formation of the person.”
“AI will continue to evolve, and we must also evolve to enhance our alliance with AI in a way that we don’t have to trade off what makes us deeply human and spiritual. In a world becoming more artificial, we must leverage an integral education that enhances our humanity.”
“While engaging with AI, we must also be forming souls capable of fecund silence, meaningful human relationships, and openness to God. May our classrooms become spaces where humanity and spirituality are not only preserved, but made more meaningful.”
As in the activity in the morning, personal reflection and group sharing followed, culminating in the participants’ reports during the assembly. After a full day of profound and enlightening keynote speeches, the delegates of Mary Help of Christians School (Pampanga) facilitated a lively recreation that enabled the participants to get to know one another better.
After dinner, Sr. Sarah Garcia, in charge of the Salesian Sisters Human Rights Office in Geneva (Switzerland), delivered a brief yet heartfelt “Good Night” talk on the situation of youth and mental health. Her message became a gentle but urgent appeal to the hearts of Salesian educators to care more attentively and compassionately for the young people entrusted to them.
On May 17, the third keynote address was delivered by Fr. Anthony Pun Ming Chi, SDB, from Hong Kong, on the theme “Reading the Global Compact on Education in the light of the Preventive System of Education.” It was an invitation to see education as a loving encounter that places the dignity of every young person at the center while nurturing dialogue, participation, solidarity, and care for our common home. It calls educators to walk beside the youth with reason, faith, kindness, and hope, helping them grow into compassionate persons who can renew society and become builders of peace.
Afterwards, Salesian educators from the Philippines, East Timor, South Korea, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand shared inspiring testimonies on how the Preventive System of Education is creatively and faithfully lived out within their own cultural and educational contexts. Miss Arlenie Sasan, principal of Mary Help of Christians School (Cebu), represented the Philippines. She shared a heartwarming journey of how she herself was formed by the Sisters in her long years of teaching in the school and how she now carries within her the joyful conviction and heart of a true Salesian educator.
After lunch, the delegates delighted in a memorable cultural visit to Sensō-ji Temple, where they experienced the beauty and rich tradition of Japanese culture. The afternoon continued with joyful moments of free time as they explored the vibrant streets of Tokyo, taking in the sights, energy, and charm of the city until evening.
In the morning of May 18, each Province creatively drafted its plan of action, inspired by the rich insights and reflections shared during the first three days of the Congress, all centered on the theme: Global Compact on Education in the Salesian Style. Towards evening, Sr. Anita Kwok, FMA, presented the fruits of these discussions to the assembly, which joyfully agreed to entrust the collation of the responses to the CIAO Scuola team.
After lunch, the delegates were given the wonderful opportunity to benchmark with the Salesian International School through classroom observations in the high school department. Teachers and students warmly welcomed the delegates, allowing them to witness firsthand the dynamic and engaging way different subjects are taught in the classrooms. It became a truly enriching experience of interculturality, dialogue, and shared passion for the education of the young.
At the close of the day, Sr. Runita Borja, FMA, delivered her concluding message, beautifully weaving together the graces, learnings, and challenges of the four-day Congress, while offering inspiring insights and hopeful directions for future innovation in the Salesian educative mission.
The Closing Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Mario Michiaki Yamanouchi, SDB, and concelebrated by Fr. Atsushi Hamasaki, SDB Provincial Superior of Japan; Fr. Shoichiro Nakata, Vice Provincial; and Fr. Anthony Pun Ming Chi, SDB (Hong Kong). The celebration became a profound moment of thanksgiving for the spirit of communion, shared mission, and renewed commitment experienced throughout the Congress.
After dinner, the delegates delighted everyone with their cultural presentations in a vibrant and heartwarming showcase of the beauty, richness, and diversity of Asian cultures. Through music, dance, and joyful performances, the evening became a celebration of unity in diversity and the family spirit that animated the entire gathering.
The event concluded with the heartfelt “good night” talk of Sr. Evangelina Da Costa, FMA, Provincial Superior of East Timor. With deep gratitude and inspiring insights, she expressed her appreciation for the meaningful and fruitful success of the Educators’ Congress.
