This visit underlines the importance of international solidarity and integration, as well as the recognition of the essential work carried out by host communities such as Don Bosco 2000 in promoting peace, understanding and unity among nations.
It is not the first time that the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, has visited Salesian works. In April last year he visited the G. Bearzi Institute in Udine, the school attended by Lorenzo Parelli, the student who lost his life in an accident while completingg his final day of apprenticeship in a factory in Lauzacco. Moreover, in 2015, on a visit to the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin, he told the then Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr Francesco Cereda, that he kept an image of Don Bosco in his study.
Now, in Piazza Armerina, Sergio Mattarella will meet the migrant community that has distinguished itself over the years for integration projects, such as the ASD Don Bosco Aidone football team made up of young migrants from SAI centres, and integration initiatives between Ukrainian families welcomed by sub-Saharan migrants who are now integrated into the Sicilian social fabric.
“This visit represents an immense recognition for the hard work carried out by all the operators of the Associazione Don Bosco 2000 in over a decade of activity” wrote Agostino Sella, President of Don Bosco 2000, in a Facebook post. “But it is not only a recognition; it is also an encourgement and an invitation to intensify our efforts in welcoming people in Italy and in cooperation in Africa", he added.
The Don Bosco 2000 Association, founded in 1998, is a reference point for the reception and integration of migrants and refugees from different parts of the world. As part of the reception, the Association works through specific and multidisciplinary interventions in the field of legal assistance, psychological and rehabilitation support, health services and training offers. The interventions are intended to support minors, migrants, young people, women and families, be they Italian or foreign, direct and indirect victims of any form of abuse, discrimination and socio-cultural inequalities.
Don Bosco 2000 operates in Italy, Senegal, Gambia and Mali and has five different centres in Sicily, located in the provinces of Catania and Enna (Piazza Armerina, Aidone, Catania, Villarosa and Pietraperzia).
