Karnataka News

Media Release

Bengaluru, March 7, 2025 : The Karnataka Jesuit Educational Society (KJES) Youth Works organised a Youth Animators' Training Programme on March 1st and 2nd at St. Joseph’s Boys High School in Bangalore. The programme aimed at training young animators from various parts of Karnataka.

The first day began with an inaugural ceremony, marking the start of the training programme. This was followed by Group Dynamics conducted by KJES Youth Director, Fr. Joel Fernandes SJ. The group dynamics served to introduce the participants to one another and strengthen the bonds within the group.

The first session focused on the history of the Jesuits, conducted by Ms. Lerin Dias and Mr. Merwin Mathias. The session aimed at providing insights on the Jesuits and their mission. Following this, Mr. Shan Michael shared his experiences with the group, reflecting on his time with KJES - Youth Works. His journey and experiences inspired many of the young animators and motivated them to persist in their own roles.

Fr. Pradeep RS SJ, who is also a wonderful sculptor, delivered a session on Jesuit Youth Identity. He encouraged the animators to represent leadership qualities and to be an inspiration for others, much like a flag representing guidance and strength. After a short break, the youth animators visited Jesuit institutions.

Ms Nita D’Souza, an active member of Ignitors, shared her experiences with the group. This interactive and engaging session provided valuable insights to the participants. This was followed by examination of consciousness.

The day concluded with supper and a night gathering, providing an opportunity for informal conversations and further bonding among the animators.

The second day began with a Holy Mass, bringing a sense of spiritual reflection.

The first session of the day was a virtual session by Fr. Maxim Dias SJ, who spoke on the response of youth towards a challenging world. He emphasized the importance of the Jesuit Youth Ministry and how it can shape an individual’s values and actions in the modern world.

Following this, the youth animators engaged in group sharing, where they had the opportunity to discuss their experiences and reflect on what they had learned during the training. The programme concluded with a discussion on the Action Plan for 2025, outlining the future direction for the youth animators and how they can contribute to the Jesuit mission in the coming year.

Conclusion:

The two-day Youth Animators' Training Programme organized by the Karnataka Jesuit Educational Society successfully trained 35 youth animators. The programme inspired and motivated the participants to continue their journey, encouraging them to be role models and leaders who will positively impact others and serve as a source of inspiration in the society.