Lagos, Nigeria – November 2024 - The Don Bosco House in Lagos hosted the Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival (DBGYFF), attracting 92 attendees passionate about climate action. The event began with a welcome from Fr. Chikezie Ekugbah, who set a reflective tone on climate awareness. Guest speaker Mr. Uche Igweike delivered an insightful talk on the urgency of environmental responsibility, sparking meaningful discussions. The festival showcased shortlisted films by young filmmakers, including Vision, Rose, and Dreams of Lagos, which resonated deeply with the audience. Music performances by Marta Edozie and Stainless Sounds enhanced the event's atmosphere. Participants engaged actively, celebrating film while fostering a commitment to a greener future. The festival was well-received, leaving a lasting impression on attendees. Overall, the event successfully inspired participants to become advocates for environmental change. It served as a powerful gathering of like-minded individuals dedicated to addressing climate issues.

Jounieh, Lebanon – October 2024 – From October 17-18, 2024, USEK – the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in Jounieh, Lebanon, hosted the Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival (DBGYFF), bringing together a diverse group of students and faculty for an enriching two-day event. Approximately 100 attendees, primarily adults, participated in screenings and discussions. The event began with a welcome speech by the Head of the Communication Arts Department, who introduced the festival and presented its highlights. Over the course of the event, 60 films were screened each day in three separate batches, with breaks in between. Invitations were sent via email to students, and the screenings attracted students from the Cinema & TV major, as well as volunteers from the Human Sciences Department and Public Speaking course. The screenings were followed by thought-provoking discussions covering urgent climate issues, youth responsibility in environmental protection, and the sustainable practices highlighted in the films. The students engaged deeply with the content, reflecting on their roles in climate action and inspired to take more active positions in advocating for the environment. The students expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to view such a wide array of films from across the globe, with the animated films being particularly well-received. The event proved to be a truly enriching experience, sparking a passion for environmental advocacy and inspiring the participants to play a more active role in protecting the planet.

New Rochelle, United States – October 2024 – From October 23 to 25, sixteen Youth Ministry Coordinators (CYM) and three team members gathered at the Sacred Heart Center in Newton, NJ, for their annual meeting. The event began with a day of reflection led by Fr. Tom Dunne on the theme of hope. The second day was dedicated to training, starting with a presentation by Adam Rudin on fostering service-oriented hearts to encourage missionary discipleship and vocational discernment. The day concluded with presentations by CYMs focused on Youth Ministry in their local settings. The final day involved discussions on various pastoral needs, including debates and a presentation by Fr. Franco Pinto on the Salesian mission.