VATICAN: Announces Training on Communication in Digital World, Targets Young People
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication is calling upon young people interested in digital communication, for months of online meetings to empower them on better ways of using digital platforms to strengthen Catholic Faith and for spiritual formation.
In statement announcing the project titled “Faith Communication in the Digital World,” Vatican officials note that the Dicastery, after a fruitful three-year project, is renewing its commitment to continue the experience of “learning by doing” in a synodal perspective of mutual listening and sharing about how to communicate the faith in the digital world.
The project intended to have a series of pre-scheduled online meetings and individual work assignments for the interim period of April 2024 – February 2025, aims to promote best practices of spiritual formation and spread the inspiration for new and effective ways of Faith Communication through digital media, foster the exchange of gifts with regions or countries where the Church faces marginalization and also build awareness of how Catholics, particularly the younger generation, use digital media in daily life.
The sessions will be offered at least two days a week, most probably Mondays will be set aside for lectures and the rest of the time for individual and group work, but just before the competition of the sessions, Vatican officials recommend a one residential week in Rome in January 2025 for full-time activities.
The statement explains further that the 16 young potentials who will be selected after the application, will undergo a unique vocational training experience, starting with a pastoral reflection on digital media engagement.
Besides, the young people will be able to “participate in a “learning by doing” experience in a synodal dialogue, to foster inclusion and listening to the needs and hopes of people, in line with Jesus’ predication and with the Magisterium of Pope Francis.” At the same time, they will “gain both content and communication expertise in using digital media for spiritual and pastoral purposes and receive lectures and coaching on specific topics, enabling them to develop practical skills for working in Catholic organizations, institutions, congregations, and local Church provinces to better communicated the faith and to effectively serve the Church’s mission.”
According to Vatican, the young people will “take part in the development of concrete communication plans and tools as they participate in a discussion and hands-on activities together with internationally renowned experts about best practices for using digital tools in communicating the faith.”
Persons Eligible for Application
The Dicastery has highlighted that applications are expected not later than March 15th, 2024, and that eligible are those with maximum age of 35 years, have minimum Bachelor degree or its equivalent, preferably fluent in English language and have experience in communication and digital media. The applicant should have proven creative skills, especially in either communication strategy, visual/graphic design, or copywriting. They should have a solid Catholic background and serving or is willing to serve in a Catholic community in the field of communication.
The application should be accompanied by a letter of motivation, recommendation letter from an ecclesiastical authority or a Catholic organization (Catholic universities included) and samples of previous and/or present work such as articles written and published, photos, graphics design, and links to other resources.
