Bogotá, Colombia – February 2024 - From 23 to 25 February, the young people of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) met at the national level with their national and provincial leaders, and with the Delegates for Youth Ministry in Salesian Colombia. The meeting had the objective of forming, building, dreaming, believing and sharing together the mission to which the young people from the SYM were called through Don Bosco and Mary Mazzarello. The Salesians of Colombia continue to see that through humility, strength and constancy, the Christian and charismatic experience of the SYM continues to result in pastoral energy in the young people from their works, making them authentic Missionary Disciples.

Bogotá, Colombia – February 2024 - 14 Rectors of Salesian presences belonging San Pedro Claver Province, Bogotá, Colombia met on 15-16 February, convened and led by Fr John Jairo Gómez, Superior of the Province. They were offered opportunity for reflection and formation where they could share the animation and governance of the COB Province together and become aware of the important role they have in communities and local bodies as the ones chiefly responsible for educational ministry. During the days the atmosphere of family, serenity, joy, shared responsibility and work prevailed. In the time scheduled for the meeting, it was also possible to address the theme of the Provincial Chapter, which will take place soon.

Copacabana, Colombia - February 2024 - With the aim of integrating formation processes in accordance with the guidelines of the Province’s Salesian Educative and Pastoral Project (SEPP) and the Provincial Missionary Animation Plan (PIAM) for the strengthening of the Salesian mission in western Colombia, a meeting of the Youth Ministry and Missions sectors of the St Louis Bertrand Province of Medellín (COM) was held in Copacabana (Antioquia) from 14 to 16 February. This formation session was attended by 25 people, including lay people and Salesians, who received formation on the theme: "Inhabiting the culture of today's youth", led by Dr Gustavo Adolfo Muñoz and Dr Elvia Arango. This gave participants an insight into the situation of youth in Colombia, in order to respond to the needs and expectations of children and young people who are part of the formation processes. The orientations of Youth and Vocational Care and the articulation of the Environmental Management System with Pastoral and Missionary Animation were other topics the participants worked on during the meeting, as well as the planning of Missions and Youth Ministry for 2024.

Madrid, Spain – February 2024 – South of the Colombian capital Bogotá is Ciudad Bolívar, an agglomeration of neighbourhoods composed of dilapidated houses that are home to more than one million people, most of them displaced by the Colombian conflict and refugees from other Latin American countries. The Salesian Mission Office Madrid, Misiones Salesianas, in collaboration with the Spanish television program (TVE) "Pueblo de Dios", went to Colombia last November to tell about the work that Salesians carry out in the two Salesian Provinces of Colombia. The first episode is entitled "Oasis of peace south of Bogotá" and focuses precisely on the commitment of the Salesians to inhabitants of Ciudad Bolívar, in order to improve their living conditions. Here, the Juan Bosco Obrero Popular Formation and Promotion Centre offers technical and job training programs, such as circus art, and supports minors, young people and their families, to encourage their hope and ability to dream.

Medellín, Colombia – February 2024 - A Spiritual Retreat and pastoral planning by the Animation Team and the SYM-COM Provincial Council took place in Villa de Salesith the aim of strengthening youth leadership in human and spiritual growth, to support the commitment and social projection of young leaders in the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) starting from the importance of John Bosco's Dream at 9 years of age. The event involved 20 leaders who developed a formation course based on the recognition of the importance of Don Bosco's Dream and the life projects of each of the young participants. On the second day, Dr. Carolina García, a psychologist, conducted reflective workshops that aimed to strengthen self and experience inner healing. In the afternoon, the specialists in youth leadership projection, Diego Giraldo and Johana Villada, developed a workshop on the importance of citizen participation and on the way in which Salesian youth spirituality should be projected in different contexts that can have social impact in the territory. On the last day, the pastoral programming of the animation team and the Provincial Council was developed, focusing on preparation for Campo Bosco 2024.

Cartagena, Colombia – January 2024 - In the ordinary session of the District Council of Cartagena, held on 31 January, the Salesian Vocational Schools and the Salesian community in Cartegena were granted well-deserved recognition for their commitment to social promotion of the most vulnerable in the city community. This recognition highlights the constant commitment of the Salesian Vocational Schools and the Salesian community to the education and integral formation of young people in vulnerable situations, offering them opportunities for personal, academic and professional development. For years, Salesian Vocational Schools have been a beacon of hope for many young people in Cartagena, providing them not only with quality education, but also with human and moral values that allow them to become upright citizens committed to their community. This recognition by the Cartagena District Council is a well-deserved tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of all those who, day after day, work tirelessly to build a better future for young people and, therefore, for the entire community. The Salesian Vocational Schools and the Salesian community in Cartagena deeply appreciate this gesture of recognition and renew their commitment to continue working with passion and dedication for the well-being and integral formation of the most needy young people in society.