(ANS – Brussels) – On the evening of December 6th, there was the evening debate on “TACKLING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN EUROPE: A CATHOLIC CHURCH’S PERSPECTIVE”, jointly organized by COMECE and Don Bosco International. The event counted on a significant Salesian Presence, Mgr. Adrianus van Luyn and Fr. Enrico Peretti, who delivered the welcoming speeches and Mr. Ivan Toscano who gave a keynote speech on the T-VET experience of Salesians in Italy through CNOS-FAP. The panel debate was also moderated by Ela Jakubek, who has a long Salesian experience.

(ANS – Brussels) – On the occasion of the “First European Vocational Skills Week” (5-9 December), organized by the European Commission to “improve the image and attractiveness of vocational education and training”, “Don Bosco International” in collaboration with the Episcopates of the European Community (COMECE), organizes for tomorrow, December 6th, in Brussels a debate on “What Solutions for Youth Unemployment in Europe? The perspective of the Catholic Church”.

(ANS - Rome) - A round-table conference on the theme "Salesian Solidarity during the Great War (1915-1918)", was held at the FMA Generalate in Rome on 30 November. It was organized by the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), in collaboration with its new Study Centre.

(ANS - Bruxelles) - On 23rd and 24th of November, Don Bosco Youth-Net participated in an expert seminar of ‘the EU-CoE Youth Partnership’. This is a cooperation between the Council of Europe and the European Commission in the youth field. The Expert seminar “Journeys to a new life” was organised by this cooperation in order to gather knowledge concerning the role of youth work for the inclusion of young refugees and migrants in Europe. By opening space for researchers, policy makers, youth workers and refugees to discuss this topic the aim is to find possibilities to improve youth work and its role in social inclusion in the three dimensions research, policy and practice.

(ANS – Bruxelles) – Don Bosco International is one of 78 organisations active in the field of children’s rights that in occasion of European Forum on the Rights of the Child, have issued a statement in order to demand seven priority action focused on protecting children in migration. As well Don Bosco International will take active part in the Forum, who is taking place 29th and 30th November in Brussels, in order to represent all the Salesian realities working with young migrants and refugees.

(ANS – K’Long) – Among the 60 participants of the second EAO Salesian Family delegates formation meeting, in K’Long, Vietnam, there were very many first-learners. The participants come from Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Japan.

(ANS – Addis Ababa) – A one and a half day National Seminar (21-22 November) was held on Human Trafficking in the Salesianum in Addis Ababa. It was organized with all the stakeholders working in this area of Human Trafficking like the Ethiopian Catholic Church, VIDES, Conferenza Episcopale Italiana (CEI), VIS and many other representatives from different embassies.

(ANS – Rome) – On Sunday 20 November, as the church celebrated the Solemnity of Christ the King, the Pope brought to a conclusion the year-long celebration of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. On the same Sunday, at the Chapel in the Salesianum, Fr Fabio Attard, SDB, Councillor General for Youth Ministry, brought to a conclusion the 4-day seminar organized by the Youth Ministry Department on "Accompanying the Life of Prayer."

(ANS - Rome) - This year, as every year, we remember the children. Next Sunday 20 November is International Day for the Rights of Childhood and Adolescence (also known more simply as International Children's Day). It is meant to raise public awareness on children's issues. Did you know that 450 million children live in poverty? Millions of children are deprived of their childhood because they must take care of their siblings, carry water for the family, work to bring money home, live on the street ... instead of going to school and playing. These are children who spend their days trying to survive.