San José, Costa Rica – October 2024 - On 2 October, Costa Rica hosted the tenth edition of the Siemens-DEDICO student technological meeting, an event that celebrates the collaboration between technical education and the business sector. This prestigious meeting, which brings together students from technical institutes, offered a platform to demonstrate skills in the use of advanced technologies and find solutions to the real challenges of the sector. This year, students from various technical institutes in Costa Rica and El Salvador participated in challenges focused on technological innovation, with access to state-of-the-art equipment and training provided by private sector companies. Among the national schools that have distinguished themselves: CTP Mercedes Norte, CTP Agustiniano Ciudad de los Niños, CTP San Pablo L.C., CTP Nataniel Arias Murillo, CTP CI and CTP Carrizal. In a special way, the Ricaldone Technical Institute in El Salvador participated as a guest institution, which managed to win first place in the competition. The Institute stood out for having offered the best solution to one of the proposed challenges, putting into practice an innovative, creative and technically rigorous approach. Students demonstrated their ability to apply the knowledge acquired in real-world situations, underlining the importance of these skills in an increasingly demanding and specialised labour market.

Madrid, Spain – October 2024 - On Monday, 7 October, the Councils of the two Salesian Provinces of Spain, Saint James the Greater (SSM) and Mary Help of Christians (SMX), met in the new Don Bosco House in Madrid. The issues that unite the two Provinces were addressed on the agenda, such as Youth Ministry and Formation, which already go hand in hand. And also the functioning of Casa Don Bosco, the new headquarters of the National Centre for Youth Ministry, the national Youth Centres, Schools and Social Platforms bodies, and the CCS publishing house. The operation of the 55 room residence was also discussed, given that it can be reserved for courses and other events, both Salesian and of any other group.

Brussels, Belgium - October 2024 - In the context of the Season of Creation, which ended on 4 October, two events were held in Brussels, organised by the European Laudato Si‘ Alliance (ELSiA), a network of Catholic organisations, including Don Bosco International, working together to bring to life the Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’. On the first day, 1 October, at the ‘Chapel for Europe’ in Brussels, thanks to the moderation of Stefan Lunte, artists Fabiola Moscato and Claire Forgeot held a conversation through their art on nature and, more specifically, fire. The following day, after an opening inspired by Laudato Si' led by Josianne Gauthier, time was devoted to sharing three field experiences from France, Spain and the Netherlands, moderated by Michael Kuhn. At the end of the event, it was possible to hear Luca Perez, Deputy Head of Unit, DG Environment, European Commission, who also answered questions from the audience.