Nashik, India - February 2017 - On 24 and 25 February, Fr Fabio Attard, Councillor General for Youth Ministry, conducted a seminar in Nashik which was attended by all the formation personnel of the student community in Divyadaan, 60 students of Philosophy and 18 practical trainees. Starting with the Framework of Reference for Salesian Youth Ministry, Fr Attard invited the Salesians to reflect on their vocational journey and the situation of young people globally. He urged them to study the criteria, choices and models of Salesian Youth Ministry.
Isiolo, Kenya - February 2017 - The drought in Kenya that is affecting much of the country has now become a national disaster. The government in Nairobi has raised the alarm and has appealed to the international community to provide aid. The disaster has affected 23 of the 47 counties of the country but the emergency also concerns other countries in the region. According to the International Red Cross there are in fact 11 million people in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia who need immediate aid because of drought. The Salesian mission "Don Bosco Mission Korr" is engaged in bringing aid to the people of Marsabit County, one of the most drought-affected areas, where it has not rained for a year.
Barcelona, Spain - February 2017 - On 18 February there was a demonstration on behalf of refugees and migrants in Barcelona. It was attended by about two hundred thousand people with the slogan "No more excuses, #We welcome them.” This is part of a campaign directed at European governments asking that the rights of refugees and migrants be upheld. Leading the procession were Josep Maria Torrents, President of the Salesian NGO "VOLS" and Begoña Simal, Technical Secretary, accompanied by other workers of the NGO.
Chennai, India - February 2017 - The Team Visit to the South Asia Region started this morning 28 February. The meeting is being led by the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, along with his Vicar, Fr Francesco Cereda, Fr Ivo Coelho, Councillor General for Formation, Fr Fabio Attard, Councillor General for Youth Ministry, Fr Filiberto González, Councillor General for Social Communication, Fr Guillermo Basañes, Councillor General for the Missions and Fr Maria Arokiam Kanaga, Councillor for the South Asia Region.
Namaacha, Mozambique - February 2017 - The Dom Bosco Youth Centre in Namaacha, hold a rap contest each term. It consists of a monologue with musical accompaniment in a uniform and syncopated rhythmic base. Rap is an opportunity and an exercise in youthful expression to give voice to the young people and their expectations. The competition was proposed by the young people themselves. They organized the event with the help of the team of the "Dom Bosco" Centre. The only established rule is that you cannot insult the other competitor. On 27 February, there was a "battle" between the two winners of the latest stage of the competition.
Sankt Augustin, Germany - February 2017 - An Advisory Meeting of the Missions Sector took place at the "Missionspriesterseminar" of the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) from 23 to 25 February. Twelve Salesians from different continents, UPS, the Salesian Historical Institute and the Sector for Formation offered advice to Fr Guillermo Basañes, Councillor General for the Missions and to the team of the Mission Sector, on policies and the most suitable channels for promoting in the Salesian Congregation a mature and updated Salesian missionary vision, and preparing experts in missiology, anthropology and inter-religious dialogue.