The starting point of the reflection was the significant increase in the number of initiatives carried out by Salesian presences dedicated to the reception and integration of migrants and refugees, especially in countries surrounding the Mediterranean. To reflect on these activities, unify strategies and respond to the needs of people affected by the experience of migration, the National Youth Ministry  Centres in Italy and Spain have decided to organisze this opportunity which has placed the issue of migration at the centre of attention. Talks by Giuseppe Riggio on "The scenario of migration in the Mediterranean: causes and perspectives"; by Alberto Ares, entitled "We are all migrants: Towards a theology of migrations", and Vincenzo Salerno, on "The socio-educational aspects in pastoral care and the pastoral aspects in social work: the case of the San Luigi Community - Gorizia (Italy)", with reference to the Salesian work in that city, which is active in welcoming Unaccompanied Foreign Minors (MSNA) who pass through the Balkan Route, were fundamental for the analysis and understanding of the subject.

In addition, during the meeting there was also the opportunity to share interventions, courses and best practices, such as Don Bosco International (DBI), held by the Executive Secretary of the organisation, Sara Sechi, and aimed at a focus on the Salesian perspective of Europe and migration; the perspective of the State Coordination of Salesian Social Platforms (CEPSS), with "Let me tell you something: new narratives of love for migrants", by Roberto Trujillo; and again, "Young immigrants and identity", by Luis Callejas; "How to support the needs of migrants in their processes. Mgratory mourning ", with the educator Mónica García Arboleda; and " Migrant woman and intersectionality. How many lives do you have in a lifetime?", with Marta Martín.

During the work over the various days, initiatives such as "Networks and migrations - Protagonists" also found room for presentation. Immigration and cultural networks for the future", illustrated by Koblan Amissah Bonaventure (of the Abusouan association); "The accompaniment of the spiritual and religious dimension of migrants", Nando Capovilla (of Pax Christi Italy); "Gorizia, a model of reception in the border area ", with Vincenzo Salerno; "Don Bosco 2000, Sicily and circular migrations (with sub-Saharan West Africa)", by Agostino Sella; "A joint and synergistic Salesian proposal for the reception, integration and accompaniment of migrants and refugees: The Italian case: best practices and new perspectives", with Micaela Valentino ( VIS, SxS and CNOS-FAP); "The Buzzetti program for homeless children ", with Pepelu Aguirre, of the Don Bosco - Salesianos Social Foundation; the "Tomas las riendas" project, by Roberto Trujillo and Gema Rodríguez, of the CEPS; "Accommodation for refugees", with Marita, from the CEPS; and "Egypt and refugees from the South Sudan. Lebanon and Syrian and Iraqi refugees: the cases of young adults", with a presentation by Fr Simon Zakerian, SDB.

All these presentations were aimed mainly at Salesians and lay people involved in carrying out initiatives aimed at accepting and integrating migrants and refugees into the various educative and pastoral settings.

The meeting ended with a dialogue on European policies led by Francisco Jesús Toronjo Benítez, Director General of Migration Policies from the Andalusian Regional Government, and Maria Vittoria Garlappi, representative of the European Formation Foundation, who highlighted the tools available to the European Union and the strategic guidelines for promoting cooperation between public institutions and civil society in the reception and integration of migrants.

Among the conclusions of the seminar, Fr José Miguel Núñez, SDB, Director of the National Centre for Youth Ministry in Spain, stressed the importance of making a joint assessment of the reality of Salesian service in the Mediterranean basin in terms of migratory flows and processes of reception, protection, promotion and integration in Europe of people arriving on the continent and in the outermost situations such as the Canary Islands. "In this way, we also want to highlight the challenges posed by the current situation and, consequently, make new commitments on behalf of people who are in search of more dignified living conditions."

This event will have a follow-up in the coming months, when the conclusions shared between the different participants in the last part of the meeting will reach the different countries and Salesian presences.

Source: Salesianos.info

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