Purwodadi, Indonesia – March 2024 – During this Lenten period, a group of Salesian Cooperators from the Sunter Local Centre, accompanied by Salesian Delegate, Fr Noel Villafuerte, took part in a four-day pilgrimage, visiting the cities of Purwodadi, Semarang, Yogyakarta and other neighbouring areas. In particular, the Salesian Cooperators donated kits containing school supplies, personal hygiene items and foodstuffs to the children of the Purwodadi school and their teachers. In the following days, they then visited several Marian shrines, praying the Rosary and participating in the Way of the Cross. The rest of the pilgrimage was a set of spiritual and recreational activities characterised by the joy, spontaneity, simplicity typical of the Salesians. 

Jorhat,India – March 2024 – The Bosco Institute in Jorhat recently hosted a conference entitled "CONFLUENCE", which brought together over thirty entrepreneurs from the social sector. Held on 1 and 2 March, the event transformed into a platform where the future of social innovation was centre stage. The conference explored key topics such as the future of innovation, innovation in education, the role of women, young people as change-makers and much more. Experts invited to the conference offered unique perspectives, stimulated conversation and generated several actionable strategies to promote positive change.

Kep, Cambodia – March 2024 – The Don Bosco Kep centre in Cambodia, is currently hosting a seminar entitled "Communication on social media and voice of indigenous peoples for synodality", in which representatives of the media field from Mongolia, the Philippines, East Timor, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal and Papua New Guinea are taking part. The seminar, which began on 10 March, will end on 20 March. At the opening of the workshop, participants wore their traditional indigenous costumes. In his welcome address, Fr Albeiro Rodas, Director of the centre, was in fact delighted to see the cultures of indigenous peoples represented. Subsequently, the indigenous people of Cambodia showed a characteristic ritual that they use to speak to their ancestors. The first session of the workshop then focused on breaking down communication barriers and the ease of translating into different languages thanks to Artificial Intelligence; while the second session was dedicated to the dissemination of news thanks to the 5W rule. After the Mass and a show created by the students of Don Bosco Kep, the participants ended the day in front of a bonfire, attending traditional dances. 

Asunción, Paraguay – March 2024 - A framework cooperation agreement was signed between the Salesian Our Lady of the Assumption Province Paraguay (PAR) and the Moises Bertoni Foundation (FMB) on 4 March, with the aim of formalising the alliance between the two institutions, which collaborate in various environmental education projects. The agreement was signed by the Executive Director of the FMB, Yan Speranza, and the Salesian Provincial, Fr Mario Villalba, at the PAR Province headquarters. Through the Provincial Team for the Environment, the Salesians carry out projects to promote environmental awareness, understanding and action through education, promoting sustainable practices and the care of our Common Home through the integral formation of children and young people who attend their works. In this context, the PAR Province carries out the "Practical implementation of strategic environmental guidelines in Paraguay's schools" Project, with the support of the FMB, which, through its Sustainable Development Education management, makes all its experience available to jointly build strategies to raise awareness among the new generations. The project aims to include environmental education in the curriculum of the country's 16 Salesian educational institutions and other public institutions. More than 500 teachers and 11,000 students are expected to be involved and receive environmental training.

Nairobi, Kenya – March 2024 - For the third time, the Salesian Formation Centre Africa-Madagascar (Don Bosco – SAFCAM), organised a workshop on Salesian Pastoral Accompaniment from 4 to 8 March 2024, at the Don Bosco Youth Educational Services (DBYES) centre in Nairobi. The formation was led by three Salesian priests: Alex Mulongo, Philip Lazatin and Richard Ebejer, with eleven participants from various Salesian Provinces and Vice-Provinces: East Africa (AFE), Central Africa (AFC), Africa Congo Congo (ACC), Equatorial Tropical Africa (ATE), Zambia-Malawi-Zimbabwe-Namibia (ZMB), Southern Africa (AFM) and Madagascar (MDG). In the first two days, some necessary information and knowledge were provided by the animators on topics such as Reflection and scriptural foundation starting from the Emmaus event; Theological-pastoral reflection in the current situation, with a general overview of Salesian pastoral accompaniment as a reflection on experiences; "Salesian" approaches to pastoral accompaniment; Formation "in" the Salesian Mission and Pastoral Accompaniment; "Verbatim" Tools; Reports on Incidents and their elaboration; Relevance and method; Tools useful in the elaboration (Listening, Counseling Techniques, Counseling Skills; Emotions and Feelings). The participants were then invited to individually prepare and write an account, so that the last three days were a practical exercise of Salesian pastoral accompaniment. The participants, the facilitators and the SAFCAM team expressed their appreciation for this important formation event in the evaluation of the worshop; they mentioned the value of learning from experiences, touching real situations, gaining new insights, being in touch with previous emotions and feelings.

(ANS – Sangradouro) – Moments of dialogue, prayer or simply sharing daily life: Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation, is spending the days of his Animation Visit to the Salesian missions between the indigenous Boe-Bororo and Xavantes, fully immersing himself in the reality of life of these peoples. An experience that, as he openly testified, has aroused "deep emotion" and "enormous gratitude" in him.