Quito, Ecuador – November 2024 – The 37th Assembly of the National Council of Salesian Education (CONESA) took place from 27 to 29 November, a space for dialogue, reflection and planning around the Salesian educational mission in Ecuador. For three days, directors, rectors, vice-rectors, coordinators, teachers and heads of Salesian School Centres (CES) worked together to strengthen the Salesian School Project (PES), based on the richness of the charism of Don Bosco and the current needs of young people. Participants analysed the current state of Salesian institutions and their vision for the future. Fr Michal Vojtás, professor at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome and Director of the Don Bosco Study Centre, shared key ideas on the world's contemporary educational challenges from a Salesian perspective. With his extensive experience in the educational field and his deep knowledge of the Salesian charism, Fr Vojtáš shared reflections on educational challenges in a world characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. He stressed the need for the ESC not only to adapt to this evolving context, but to become a space for transformative leadership, capable of forming resilient, critical young people who are committed to building a more just and fraternal future. His vision inspired the participants to rethink their educational practices, promoting educational-pastoral communities that respond with hope and courage to the needs of a constantly changing global environment. The National Youth Directorate also participated in the meeting, to offer its perspective, which enriched the speeches and reflections and made it possible to align educational strategies with real needs, concerns and aspirations of the recipients of the Salesian mission.

Shillong, India- November 2024 – In 1996, the United Nations founded the "Child-Friendly Cities Initiatives" to guarantee the rights of children in an increasingly urbanised and decentralised world. The Salesians in Shillong and Dimapur have now welcomed this initiative, implementing it under the name of "Project to strengthen social participation and promote children's rights". The project was made possible thanks to the collaboration with "AIDA", the social development wing of the Province of Dimapur, India and with the Bosco Integrated Development Society (BIDS), the Planning and Development Office of the Salesian Province of Shillong India (INS) and with the technical support of the Don Bosco National Forum for Young People at Risk. A training program for personnel was therefore held from 25 to 28 November, with the aim of strengthening and consolidating the skills necessary for the effective implementation of the initiative. An in-depth reflection and discussion on data analysis, results and recommendations by external evaluators from New Delhi was held at the BIDS headquarters in Shillong. During the formation event the participants were engaged in an intense session on the importance of digital documentation, which included an information session on "Homelink DIGI" by Fr Joe Prabu. The programme allowed staff to reflect, share ideas and adopt new strategies to make tomorrow child-friendly.

Lille, France – November 2024 – More than 70 participants gathered at the Lycée Notre-Dame d 'Annay, a Salesian house in Lille, for the annual meeting of the Don Bosco network in the north. The latter brings together social, school and parish works from Guînes (near Calais) to Tournai, on the other side of the Franco-Belgian border, passing through Bailleul, Lille, Ronchin and Blandain. The purpose of the event was to reaffirm the commitment of young people in Salesian houses and to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the "Défi Citoyenneté" programme, the "Citizenship Challenge". The responsibilities and practices related to the project have been revisited and good moments of reflection and sharing have resulted. At the end of the meeting, appointments were set between the Salesian houses to maintain ties and carry out common projects.