The SIGNIS MP&CG Regional Conference, which took place from November 14 to 16, 2024, at St. Norbert Abbey in Jabalpur, brought together participants from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, two states in central India.
The event brought together over 75 communication professionals, church leaders, and media practitioners to explore the theme "Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart Towards Fully Human Communication."
The event highlighted the critical intersection of technology and human connection, addressing challenges and opportunities in modern communication.
The conference began with a ceremonial lamp lighting, accompanied by a prayer song from the Brothers of St. Norbert’s Abbey and a prayer dance by students of St. Norbert’s School.
Distinguished attendees included Dr. Biju Alappattu, Secretary of the CBCI Office of Social Communication; Fr. Arulanandu O'Praem, Prior of St. Norbert’s Abbey; Fr. Rocky Sha, President of SIGNIS MP&CG; Mr. Sumit Dhanraj, Vice-President of SIGNIS India; and Mr. Bervin Raja, Head of Digital Marketing and Social Media at Zee Television.
In his keynote address, Alappattu emphasized Pope Francis’ call for responsible use of technology, particularly AI, stating, "AI must be used for the benefit of humanity, not as a threat to our nations."
He urged participants to harness communication tools for the greater good, promoting ethics and human dignity.
A diverse program of sessions and workshops equipped participants with practical skills and knowledge:
Mr. Bervin Raja discussed the applications of AI in communication, addressing challenges such as copyright issues and AI-driven scams while showcasing tools like ChatGPT to enhance communication strategies.
Fr. Anthony Swamy SVD conducted a workshop on visual content creation using Microsoft Designer and Canva, teaching principles of effective design, including layout, color schemes, and typography.
Fr. Thomas Antony O'Praem led a hands-on session on video production using Canva and Lumen5, providing insights into creating engaging multimedia content for social media, promotional campaigns, and educational initiatives.
Participants left with the ability to produce dynamic and visually compelling content, aligning their digital outreach with the Church’s mission.
Evening sessions delved into the Church’s future in media:
Dr. Cyril Victor Joseph, Coordinator of the CCBI Media Apostolate, outlined the CCBI Pastoral Plan for 2033, emphasizing the role of media in its implementation and the Church’s embrace of digital tools.
Bishop Valan Arasu, of Jabalpur, highlighted the Catholic Connect App as a tool for fostering community ties and spreading messages of faith.
The conference also included an open dialogue where participants shared media initiatives and addressed challenges in their ministries. A business meeting enabled SIGNIS members to collaborate on production planning, including a liturgical album commemorating the jubilee year.
The second day began with a Holy Mass led by Bishop Thomas Mathew, Chairman of CBMP Media and Communication.
His reflections on World Communications Day underscored the Church’s mission in communication, while Rev. Dr. Joseph highlighted the growing significance of media apostolates within dioceses.
The SIGNIS MP&CG Regional Conference 2024 provided participants with valuable insights into the evolving landscape of communication, particularly in the age of AI.
The event reinforced the importance of ethical practices, creativity, and maintaining human connection in an increasingly digital world.
By focusing on the wisdom of the heart, the conference emphasized communication as a mission rooted in empathy, dignity, and faith.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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