News

by, Sumit Dhanraj (Journalist and Media Trainer), Indore, India

The first cohort of nine students participated in the International Certificate Programme on “Compassion and Social Communications: Caring for Our Common Home” at Xavier University Bhubaneswar (XUB), India from January to May 2020. Perry Paul G. Lamanilao from Philippines and Sumit Dhanraj from India represented SIGNIS Asia in the International Certification Programme at XUB.

The Xavier Centre for New Humanities and Compassion Studies (XCHCS) in collaboration with Xavier School of Communications (XCOMM), Xavier School of Sustainability (XSOS), and Xavier School of Rural Management (XSRM) organized special course on Compassion and Social Communications for the SIGNIS Young Media Professionals from Argentina, Cuba, India, Mexico, Philippines and Togo.

The Global Fellowship on Laudato Si’ was the result of a partnership between SIGNIS (World Catholic Association for Communication), Belgium and XUB (Xavier University Bhubaneswar), India focussing on being an active voice in today’s scenario. The entire fellowship highlights the core issue of caring for our common home, inter-religious dialogue, compassion for solidarity, integral ecology, sustainable development, environmental concerns and communication strategies. As a young media professional the role of a communicator is very challenging and dynamic at present. How are we going to make a difference? It’s a calling and determination to stand for prophetic values.

The three module certification programme dealt on essentials of Compassion and Dialogue, Becoming a Communicator through Social Communication and Caring for our Common Home – Planet Earth. The beginning month had a preparatory course work at the home country while the individual project has to be done back at home country too. The three months programme at XUB sharpened the participant into a professional communicator and caring individual with sessions, discussions, debates, lectures, self study, field trips, cultural visits, outings and group project.
The unique learning experience gave participant an ample opportunity to get hands on knowledge of communication skills and insights through learned professionals. The immersion and exposure programme helped to grow culturally and holistically. This fellowship provided a platform for meeting new friends and helped in collaborating to greater heights. It was an encounter of growing together, learning mutually and sharing life for common good.

The communication group project “Unfold Nest” by the first cohort was a digital trans-media book available on SIGNIS World and Asia websites. It was an outcome of the inspiration drawn from the encyclical letter Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis. The collective effort of the group put the e-book as an adventurous journey of an individual or community through a narrative choosing one’s own path through seven stages.

The road map presents several resource materials and supplies of exercises to enrich one’s journey to find deeper meaning in life. The path leads every seeker to the discovery of oneself, community and the planet – our common home. It’s a call to make a difference by expectation, encounter and enjoyment. “Unfold Nest” reveals pathways to awareness, change and action. It gives a cosmic approach through sensitivity, solidarity and serviceability. Finally, it’s journey to be lived and sought after.