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NEWS

Chennai, March 8

DBICA Trains Religious Sisters in Digital Storytelling for Social Advocacy

9 March 2026

Media, Skills Training,

News reported by: Fr Ernest Rosario

The Don Bosco Institute of Communication Arts (DBICA) organised a three-day media training workshop from March 6 to 8 to equip religious sisters with digital storytelling and communication skills for social advocacy. The programme was conducted for members of religious congregations collaborating with the Amrat India Trust’s mission.

The workshop, facilitated and hosted by DBICA, brought together 30 participants from 21 religious congregations across South India. The training aimed to strengthen the communication skills of sisters engaged in social outreach, so they can effectively document their work, advocate for vulnerable communities, and share their mission through both secular and Church media platforms.

Recognising the crucial role of communication in driving social change, the programme offered hands-on training in contemporary digital tools and media practices. The curriculum covered a range of practical skills designed to help participants create impactful visual and written content.

The sessions began with training in the Art of Mobile Photography, where participants learned techniques in composition, framing, and smartphone camera settings. The practical segment included editing photographs using Google Photos to enhance visual storytelling.

In the Graphic Design module, Mr Marin Koska introduced participants to designing digital communication materials using Canva. The sisters created posters, flyers, and social media banners to promote social awareness campaigns.

A session on Emerging Technology, led by Mr Xavier, familiarised participants with the ethical use of artificial intelligence tools for generating text and images. The training focused on how AI can assist with communication work while maintaining responsible, ethical use.

The workshop also included professional training in news writing, reporting, and basic scriptwriting for short videos, conducted by Fr Jeevaraj and Fr Oswald. These sessions focused on developing clear and engaging narratives that highlight grassroots realities.

Fr Ernest Rosario conducted a session on strategic social media communication, guiding participants on creating engaging content and building a positive online presence to support their social mission. He also addressed the importance of cybersecurity, highlighting the need for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and explaining common cyber threats such as phishing and “digital arrest” scams.

The programme concluded with the distribution of certificates to the participants, marking the completion of the training. With their newly acquired skills, the sisters return to their respective missions as “media missionaries,” prepared to use digital platforms to amplify the voices of the marginalised and raise awareness about pressing issues such as human trafficking.

The collaboration between DBICA and Amrat India Trust shows a growing effort within faith-based organisations to use digital media for advocacy, awareness, and social change in today's communication landscape.