Cologne, Germany - November 2018 - On November 19, the association "Don Bosco Aktionsgruppe eV", received the "Elisabethpreis" award of the "Caritas-Stiftung" for the project "Walks against racism", in the category "Youth and social commitment." The "Elisabethpreis" award was established to support social engagement in the archbishopric of Cologne and, through the "Youth and Social Commitment" category, it especially supports the volunteer activities of young people. The project "Walks against racism" aims and seeks to reach a large audience of people to raise awareness on the issue of racism.
Copacabana, Colombia - November 2018 - On 24th and 25th November on the occasion of the celebration of the feast of "Mamma Margherita", the first Province meeting of the "Mamma Margherita" group of the Medellín Province (COM) took place, the group formed by 27 fathers and mothers of Salesians. During the days there were sessions for sharing and prayer, formation for Salesianity and getting to know the association's history and its 12 years of activity in the Province.
Yamanaka, Japan - November 23, 2018 - At the retreat house of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Yamanaka there was a formation course for formators from the East Asia-Oceania Region. The event was attended by 39 teachers from all the region's provinces and delegations, accompanied by Fr Hamaguchi Hideaki, Provincial of Japan, and the provincial formation team led by Fr Noby Tamura. The course was animated by the "Emmaus Center Philippines" with Mrs Eva Galvey, founder of the center, and Fr Roy Ragas, a Jesuit.
Kenitra, Morocco - November 2018 - On 17 November, the network of Past Pupils of the JUK SPEL Salesian Training Center of Kenitra was launched. Past pupils will meet once a month from now on.
Tiruchy, India - November 2018 – For the first time, the Salesian Province of Tiruchy (INT) organized the Chapter of Youth as part of the preparation for the next Provincial Chapter. On November 25, 75 young people of the INT Province's centers, together with the leaders of the Salesian Youth Movement and under the guidance of various Salesians, were called to express themselves on various topics: listening to young people, the priorities of the Salesian mission for young people, what kind of Salesians they wish for, and how may young people share the Salesian mission. At the end of the meeting, Fr A. Raj, Moderator of the Provincial Chapter, announced the names of the two young people who will participate in the Provincial Chapter.
Yakutsk, Russia - November 2018 - On 24 November, the Salesian house of Yakutsk, in the Republic of Jacuzia, Russian Federation, hosted the meeting of the Christian Churches of the area on the theme: "Christian Churches and social work in Yakutsk with the face of Jesus." During the meeting the participants, as delegates of the respective Churches, presented their work being done among the poor, the young, the elderly, the orphans and the homeless, reflecting together on the challenges, on the economic aspects and on the need to work with greater unity. The meeting was also attended by a delegate from the Ministry of Youth and Social Promotion who urged those present to work on a joint project.