Córdoba, Argentina – November 2024 – The city of Córdoba was the scene from 14 to 17 November for the Youth Ministry Meeting of the Southern Ministry Secretariat (SEPSUR in Spanish). The event brought together Delegates and Coordinators of Youth Ministry, educators and young representatives of the Provinces of the Salesians of Don Bosco and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. Days of fraternity, listening, reflection and discernment were experienced with the aim of progressing in the development of an orientation tool for Salesian communities around sexuality and affectivity. This document, whose drafting began this year, aims to be presented at the end of 2025. With this initiative, the Salesian Family renews its commitment to continue responding to current challenges with pastoral proposals that accompany children, adolescents and young people in their human and spiritual development.

Bangalore, India – November 2024 - On 14 November, the Don Bosco Tech Society participated in a multi-stakeholder consultation hosted by the Government of Mizoram and UNDP on the theme "Leveraging the experience of CSO-Civil Society Organisations to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Mizoram". The event brought together civil society organisations and government officials to discuss strategies to align CSO initiatives with Mizoram's sustainable development priorities. During the event, Don Bosco Tech had the opportunity to present its ongoing initiatives and explore possibilities for collaboration with the state government. Discussions focused on ensuring better alignment between CSO activities and the Mizoram SDG Roadmap to maximise development outcomes. “This consultation provided valuable insight into the landscape and development priorities of Mizoram,” said Fr George Mathew, Executive Director of Don Bosco Tech. “We are excited to partner with the state government to contribute to its sustainable growth program,” said Fr Mathew. The consultation also served as a platform for networking and building strategic alliances. Participants discussed innovative approaches to driving change in the Mizoram. Don Bosco Tech aims to actively engage with the Mizoram government in Vocational Training.

Mumbai, India – November 2024 - The Commission for Social Communication in the Salesian Province of Mumbai India (INB) hosted a seminar on Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the provincial headquarters on 16 November. The event was attended by delegates and representatives of various Salesian institutions in the INB Province. The day began with the Eucharist celebrated in the Shrine of Our Lady of Don Bosco, presided over by the INB Provincial, Fr Savio Silveira. In his opening address Fr Silvera drew a connection between Don Bosco's pioneering spirit and contemporary technological innovation. He stated that "Don Bosco has always wanted to adapt the latest technologies to use them for the improvement of poor young people. And today, AI is one of the main tools available and if this is the vanguard of innovation, as Salesians and Don Bosco institutions it is very important for us to be at the forefront of progress". The Provincial highlighted the potential of AI to revolutionise ministries in various sectors, and challenged participants to consider AI as a strategic tool to improve social communication and educational methodologies. The day was divided into three sessions: Fr Ryan Alex explored the basics of AI, providing a complete overview of its historical development and current technological applications; the St Paul's Institute of Communications Team (SPICE), offered practical training with contemporary AI platforms; Fr Robert Pen examined the Church's perspective on AI, addressing ethical considerations. At the end of the sessions, a discussion took place between the members and the delegates of social communication, delving into crucial topics.

Fatorda, India – November 2024 – The Don Bosco Institute of Engineering (DBCE) in Fatorda, Goa, hosted the India International Innovation and Invention Expo (INEX 2024) on 14 November. The event was organised by the Indian Innovators Association, in collaboration with IBS Poland and under the patronage of the Goa State Innovation Council and received the support of various ministries, industry associations and major Indian research and development institutes. INEX 2024 served as a vibrant platform for innovators, industry leaders and young minds to exchange ideas, present revolutionary solutions and celebrate the spirit of innovation. In this context, the DBCE received an award for its contribution to stimulating innovations. Students Nimish Floyd Noronha, Warren Rahul D 'ouza, Nolan Noel Goes, Rio Shawn De Mello and Shane Anthony Mendes, with their guide, Dr. Suraj Marathe, won the bronze medal for their "Squat Analyser". The closing ceremony celebrated the achievements of the other participants from various parts of the world, such as Poland, Malaysia and various Indian states, and recognized the efforts of the entire organisational team.

Araimiri, Papua New Guinea – November 2024 – Thanks to the support of the Salesian Mission Office New Rochelle, Salesian Missions, the Salesian missionaries in the Don Bosco Araimiri community in Kerema, distributed nutritious meals to the most needy people. Most of the food kits were intended for the approximately 300 students who attend the Don Bosco secondary school in Araimiri and come from various surrounding villages. Meals were also shared with the students of the three learning centres managed by the Mary Help of Christians Parish. Here, about 350 children, between the ages of 5 and 9, from disadvantaged families, can now count on adequate nutrition which will also be fundamental in their educational path and will help them to focus more on their studies.

Ayacucho, Peru – November 2024 - Those who walk the streets of Ayacucho these days feel the emotion of the proximity of the bicentenary of the famous battle that sealed the freedom of Peru and America. In the midst of this jubilee spirit, on the night of Wednesday 13 November, the Municipal Theatre in Huamanga was the scene of the presentation of Fr Jorge Atarama Ramírez's latest book: "History of Popular and Technical Education (1821-1968): Salesian Schools of Agricultural Arts and Crafts" (Lima: Editorial Salesiana, 2024). In the presence of Archbishop Salvador Piñeiro, Archbishop of Ayacucho, and involving Magister David Franco, Historian of the Salesian Congregation of Peru, this academic event took place bringing together the members of the Salesian Family of the City as well as pupils, parents and past pupils of the Salesian School and friends of the Work of Don Bosco. During his address Dr Guido Pérez Sáez, professor at the National University of San Cristóbal de Huamanga and former Salesian student, retraced each of the chapters that make up this research. It was a detailed review of the main contributions of this publication. Historian David Franco observed: "Reading this work allows us to reflect on how education has been the real battleground throughout the history of our Republic, where different social actors have tried to make their way both towards their own personal fulfilment and towards the collective development of the Nation". Fr Atarama stressed that the main contribution of this book is to propose a new period for the history of popular and technical education in the country; an extraordinary contribution to the understanding of the national educational process and the role of the Salesians.