by Fr. Edwin Colaco
KERALA, DECEMBER 2, 2013: "Youth Space" a handbook for Don Bosco Youth Groups authored by Fr. Edwin Colaco South Asian Coordinator for Don Bosco Groups and Movements 
Youth Space: a handbook for building Don Bosco Youth Groups and Animators is a tool to empower youth groups and animators, thus making them more vibrant. It is a ready manual for involvement of youth in institutes and parishes. It is envisioned that this book will also play an important role in the overall functioning of youth groups. There are methods and ideas suggested in the book, to make it easy to form a youth group. The Salesian Youth Spirituality and Pedagogy are principles to enable the groups to be formed in the Don Bosco style. The handbook aims precisely to form lay collaborators and effectively animate Salesians to bear the responsibility of being Salesian Youth Group Animators. The handbook is a powerful tool that will assist in the preparations for the Bi centenary of Don Bosco.
The principle basis of the handbook is to give special attention to 4 important aspect which are spiritual, social, formative and fellowship. This is also in sync with what Don Bosco would say, "A Salesian Oratory must be a Church that prays, a home that welcomes, a school that educated and a playground that entertains." This handbook offers a structure that is very lucrative, that has the Vision, Mission Objectives, and Guidelines, Methodology for sustainability and Parish Youth Animating Team that is an integral part of the Salesian Youth Group. It also gives practical details as to how to conduct meetings, role of conduct and sanctions of the youth group members and the role of the animator is well explained.
The relevance of the handbook is also to reach out to the youngsters by making them aware of the Role of God in their lives, by being a contributing member of the society, empowering others and themself. This is a journey and the signposts on this journey are the Salesian Youth Spirituality and the Salesian Pedagogy teaching.
The author mentions that he is grateful to the Don Bosco Youth Animation South Asia and Fr Maria Charles the delegate of the Youth Pastoral, South Asia. The handbook also has been critically evaluated by youth animators and young people. May the handbook Youth Space be a tool that is put to use by all who want to live the dream of Don Bosco.