Ceremonies are planned all over the country as well as initiatives to raise awareness of the country’s solidarity with migrants and respect for the human dignity and the value of the life of each individual.
These values are central to the Salesian Family. The Salesians have been present for decades in Africa and are active in the fight against irregular migration and trafficking in human beings, working alongside the local people to bring about real and effective improvement in their situation. In Italy the Salesians have developed a network of care and hospitality to migrants, particularly refugees and unaccompanied minors.
Giampietro Pettenon, President of Don Bosco Missions, has this to say: "In Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Ethiopia we are working to make potential migrants aware of the risks involved in travel and to promote development projects in their own country. With our campaign 'Stop Trafficking. This is about human beings', we have already reached thousands of young people and we intend to further expand the impact of our actions."
And Nico Lotta, President of the International Volunteers for Development (VIS), adds: "The commemoration and shared memory of tragic events should not be the end, but an occasion for reflection (...). The phenomenon of migration is not an emergency to be blocked by whatever means (...). Long-term work is needed, with practical well-planned steps to meet the real needs of local people, starting with the systematic violations of human rights and the deep inequalities that exist."
