Cité Soleil, Haiti - April 2018 - The young students of the "Opera of the Little Schools of Father Bohnen" celebrated Environment Day on 30 April and the International Day of Agriculture and Work on 1 May. After a presentation by the Coordinator General of the center, Fr Olibrice Zucchi, SDB, on the importance of trees for the country, each student planted a tree with the aim of seeing it grow through the years. In Haiti, 95% of the rainforest was destroyed due to the indiscriminate cutting of trees practiced by the inhabitants who, to survive, sell wood and coal in cities or use it to build houses. Currently only 2% of the country's surface is covered by forests.
Brussels, Belgium - April 2018 - On April 26, at the headquarters of the Commission of the Episcopal Conferences of the European Community (COMECE), the first European meeting of international Catholic youth organizations was held, with the "Don Bosco International" represented, in quality of facilitator and coordinator of the meeting, and the "Don Bosco Youth Net", as one of the most active Catholic youth organizations. The meeting began with a greeting from Fr Olivier Poquillon, OP, Secretary General of COMECE, who enthusiastically supports this process, given the willingness of the bishops of Brussels for the voices of young people to be heard by the institutions. The content of the meeting was multi-faceted: the presence of several organizations in the European Youth Forum, the latest updates on policies in favor of young people in the European Union, the activities carried out by the various youth organizations with migrants and refugees, the follow-up given to the Synod on Youth, all with the aim of finding ways of social and political dialogue with various political actors at national and European levels.
Maputo, Mozambique - April 2018 - On April 14, about 150 people among Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and representatives of the various groups of the Salesian Family participated in the formation meeting on the theme "The Salesian Family - Consecrated and lay people in front of the Family Youth Ministry and with the riches of the Salesian Charism - welcomes young people in listening and accompanying."
Giel, France - April 2018 - On April 11th, the meeting of the Western High Schools of the Salesian Province of France-South Belgium (FRB) took place, attended by about two hundred young people. The day was inspired by three mottos: expressing oneself, getting to know each other, sharing.
Tokyo, Japan - April 2018 - On April 15, about 40 members of the Association of Salesian Cooperators, accompanied by delegates of the Salesians and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Japan, gathered in Chofu for their annual general assembly. Also present were the Provincials of the SDB and FMA Provinces of Japan, Fr Mario Yamanouchi and Sr. Wakayo Morishita, who gave the opening speeches.
Krakow, Poland - May 2018 - On the afternoon of May 1, with the presentation of the groups and the expression of artistic and choreographic talents, the Youth Festival of the Krakow Province (PLS) began, with the motto: "Spiritual Revolution." The annual event, promoted to joyfully commemorate Saint Dominic Savio - from whom the event takes its name, "Savionalia" - is held until May 3 in conjunction with the final part of the XXIX International Games of Salesian Youth. About 500 young people from the Krakow Province (PLS), including Ukraine, are participating in this year's edition. "Savionalia 2018", as in previous years, will end with the solemn Mass and the consignment of the crosses and the missionary mandate to the volunteers set to leave for the Salesian Missionary Voluntary Service "Młodzi Światu".