Belo Horizonte, Brazil – November 2024 – A Meeting of the Salesian Family Commision took place on 30 November at the Salesian Belo Horizonte (BBH), , with ten participants, including priests and laypeople in charge of the coordination of the different groups of the Salesian Family in the Province. One of the topics discussed at this meeting, chaired by Fr Natale Vitali, BBH Provincial, was the beginning of the reflection on the Salesian Family Spirituality Day 2025 for all members. In addition, a formation event was held on the theme of Strenna 2025. The various groups of the Salesian Family shared the evangelising activities underway in the BBH Province and evaluations of each group were made.

Manta, Ecuador – November 2024 – The authorities of the San José Educational Unit in Manta, belonging to the Salesian Province of Ecuador (ECU), received an acknowledgement from the delegates of Cambridge University Press that they belong to the Cambridge International Certification project. The oyalty Partner Program was awarded to the San José Educational Unit, for having been one of the institutions that, for five consecutive years has delivered graduates with international certification in English to the company. The Educational Unit started the project to strengthen the English language, promoting the international Cambridge certification at levels B1 and B2, starting from the 2019-2020 school year. This program stems from the national project to strengthen the English language promoted by the English Commission of the National Council of Salesian Education (CONESA). Year after year, third-year high school students have the opportunity to have an exclusive preparation to take the international English exam as part of the curricular lesson day and thus obtain their international certificate. This year was no exception and in December, in addition to having a group of students who will take the B1 "Preliminary for School – PET" exam, there will be a group of students who will take the "First Certificate in English" exam, also known as FCE. This is an exam that belongs to the Cambridge family of international assessments that guarantees a level from B2 to C1 and C2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Kutno-Woźniaków, Poland – November 2024 – A meeting of Salesians in their Quinquennium from all four Polish Provinces took place from 21 to 23 November at Kutno-Woźniaków, in the Province of Piła (PLN). This time it was a workshop on the theme “Support Skills Training” which was led by Fr Janusz Kamiński, SDB, psychologist and psychotherapist, and Anna Ciesielska, theologian, psychotherapist and logotherapist. The workshop helped answer some questions regarding the contacts that the Salesians have with other people, when very often they experience a series of emotions, questions and doubts: "Is the way we help and accompany people correctly?" "Do we know the tools to help and how do we contact the other person and also protect our mental health?" "Let's consider who asks us for help and what kind of personality they are?" Overall, the workshop covered the following topics: support for individual contact - basic contact tools; basic notions to understand people in difficulty based on diagnostic criteria; how to deal with what I feel. There was also a panel that covered different issues related to the central theme of the meeting, questions and an analysis of different cases.

Photo: Fr Łukasz Wójcik, SDB

Cebu, Philippines – November 2024 – The third series of Magistral Lectures on Intercultural Dialogue was successfully delivered by Fr Joseph Kunle Ogundana on 30 November, at the Don Bosco Formation Centre in Cebu . This highly anticipated event brought together participants from various religious congregations, catechists from different parishes, formators, educators and students, for a day full of deep insights and meaningful commitment. In his opening address, Fr Vince Michael K. Sabal stressed the importance of intercultural dialogue in promoting understanding and unity between people of different cultures. There were also moments of reflection and leisure, such as the singing performance by some aspirants who performed songs typical of the Philippine tradition. During the day, Fr Kunle also explored the complexities of globalisation and its impact on intercultural dialogue. It highlighted opportunities and challenges of a globalised world, encouraging participants to promote openness, active listening and mutual respect in their intercultural interactions. He Thanks to this event, the religious and lay participants have acquired essential knowledge on how to relate, connect and engage in dialogue within their respective communities.

Shillong, India – December 2024 – The Don Bosco Media Network in Shillong, in collaboration with the Don Bosco Youth Centre in Laitumkhrah, organised a prestigious dance competition called Step Battle Dance, whose grand finale was held on Tuesday 3 December. The Majestic Dance Academy won the first prize, followed on the podium by Megha Warriors and ACE Merakis. During the award ceremony, Fr Anthony Kharkongor, Principal of the St Anthony's" Senior Secondary School, urged  the competitors to set ambitious goals and strive to achieve their best. He then stressed that dance is a noble art which can lead to success and provide job opportunities. Under the leadership of Fr Michael Makri, who is its Director, the Don Bosco Media Network is dedicated to the promotion of skills and education through various initiatives and programmes.

Da lat, Vietnam – November 2024 - On 30 November, at the Postnovitiate Community, the Mission Sector of the Province of Vietnam (VIE), organised Salesian Mission Day in the Lam Dong – Highlands Region, bringing together more than 300 participants, including the Archpriest of the Diocese of Da lat, Fr John Bosco Hoang Van Chinh, the Provincial of Vietnam, Fr Barnaba Le An Phong, the Provincial Councillors, Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Salesian Cooperators, parents, families, Salesian missionaries ad gentes, lay people and young people from the Salesian communities and parishes. After the opening and the blessing by the Provincial, the participants watched a video clip on the theme of the SMD: "Builders of dialogue" and the 25th anniversary of the sending of the first Salesian missionary ad gentes of the Province. The heart of the Salesian mission day was the Mass of thanksgiving for the anniversary. In the homily, the Provincial invited the community to become evangelisers, to have a loving heart, to look at others with the heart, with love starting from the family, in the parish, in the environment. The evangeliser, he recalled, should put God first, not works, and turn on the light of Jesus' love in everyone.