Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – March 2024 – On 2 March, more than seventy students and a large group of leaders and teachers from Catholic institutions participated in the media education seminar that took place at the headquarters of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, in the Waigani district, in Port Moresby. During the meeting, which opened with a welcome by Fr Ambrose Pereira, SDB, Coordinator of Social Communication in the East Asia-Oceania Region, numerous interesting topics were addressed, from Pope Francis' Message for World Communications Day 2024, to the use of Artificial Intelligence. Participants had the opportunity to attend several sessions, focusing on topics such as poster creation, the importance of logos and photography. Such seminars are encouraged by the Salesians, SIGNIS and all those who are committed to spreading the "Good News" through the media. For this reason, on Saturday, 23 March, a new seminar has already been scheduled, dedicated to the press, which will be hosted by the St Charles Lwanga Secondary School in Gerehu.

Guwahati, India – March 2024 – The Don Bosco Institute in Kharguli, Guwahati, recently hosted a seminar on mental health entitled "Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives". The event attracted a diverse audience including priests, religious, teachers, university students, leaders and lay people from various parishes and Salesian centres. The seminar was led by Fr Marcus Lakra, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry and was also attended by Fr Januarius S. Sangma, Superior of the Province of Guwahati (ING). Many illustrious personalities took part, including Dr. Loya Agarwala, who fascinated the audience with her agenda-setting address unveiling the intricate connection between mind and body and shedding light on the paths to happiness and well-being. Numerous topics were addressed during the seminar, such as the different dimensions of mental health, substance abuse, addictions, and the social impact of mental health issues. Dr. Chandita Baruah, Director of the Department of Psychology of the Don Bosco University of Assam, then involved the participants in the exploration of strategies for mental well-being, emphasising proactive intervention and the recognition of the first indicators of discomfort. The seminar was organised jointly by the Youth at Risk Commission (YaR) and the Youth Commission, in collaboration with the Department of Psychology at Don Bosco University Assam and with the support of Bosco Reach Out, Snehalay, Navaprerona Counselling Centre and the Don Bosco Institute.

Ecuador – March 2024 - Since October 2023, seven Salesian prenovices have participated in the Initial Communication Module, which consisted of 20 sessions of two hours each. A  series of fundamental topics were addressed during the training course such as: communication in a Salesian presence, the role of the Salesian communicator, the relationship between communication and the Bible, verbal and non-verbal communication, spelling and journalistic genres. The main objective is to expore the study of communication as something that runs across all of the Salesian educational and evangelising mission, deepening the knowledge of the figure of Don Bosco the "communicator" in order to grasp its essential qualities. During the session, tools were provided for young Salesian prenovices to acquire a critical use of social networks, as well as understanding the importance of digital identity and the possibilities offered by Artificial Intelligence. Thanks to the course they now have the ability to create scripts, record and edit short videos using video editors, design graphics and use online Artificial Intelligence applications to generate content and images. At the end of the module, the participants presented their final projects, receiving comments and congratulations from the team made up of Tatiana Capelo, Provincial Delegate for Communication, and Cristian Calderón, Marco Padilla and Fernanda Vasco, members of the Salesian Communication Office (CSO) team. The topics addressed through their products were: intercultural evangelisation in the Amazon missions, the active role of young people with respect to Don Bosco's childhood Dream and the need to make consecrated life visible from its initial phase.

(ANS – Rome) – In an inspiring move to foster a spirit of missionary service and community engagement, the Salesian Volunteer Advisory Board and Mission and Youth Ministry Counselors have set a plan in motion to promote their volunteer program at a congregational level. The initiative is set to commence on a promising note today, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, with a gathering of 45 SDBs and Laity from various provinces where the volunteer program has already been established locally.

(ANS – Paris) – "Education is a process of relationship so that an individual, young or old, can take from themselves all the abilities that God has given them and place them at the service of society." Archbishop Cristóbal López Romero, appointed Cardinal by Pope Francis in 2019, is also a Salesian of Don Bosco and therefore, ça va sans dire, is passionate about educational issues. The Salesian cardinal, a native of Spain, with pastoral experience also in Latin America, was in Paris from 26 to 28 February last, and in fluent French he spoke at a series of meetings, also giving an important interview on the national Catholic channel KTO.

(ANS – Rome) – Preparatory work is underway for the 29th General Chapter (GC29) of the Salesians of Don Bosco, scheduled in Valdocco, Turin, from 16 February to 12 April 2025 on the theme "PASSIONATE ABOUT JESUS CHRIST, DEDICATED TO YOUNG PEOPLE. Living our Salesian vocation faithfully and prophetically.“ Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major, has appointed the members of the Pre-Chapter Commission.