Br Mayer has worked for 18 years as Economer and has been in charge of development projects in the English-speaking West Africa Province (AFW) which includes Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
"Today we are well aware of the reasons for migration: authoritarian regimes, wars, terrorism, natural disasters, climate change, poverty and the absence of a future," adds the Salesian.
Modern migrations are no longer a regional phenomenon, but globalized, and are exacerbated by the intervention of human traffickers.
Faced with phenomena of such magnitude, the closing of borders or permanent camps in Europe and North Africa are short-sighted solutions. Because the problem must be solved inside Africa itself, with the help of European countries, and not just through donations.
"Many refugees risk their lives! What is it that drives people so? People have the right to have a future!", says Br. Mayer, who adds, "We Salesians want to give young people in Africa a future in their countries of origin, promoting sustainable education and vocational training, supporting the integration of disadvantaged children and young people in society."
This requires a rethinking in the global economy and in investments. The use of large areas of land for monocultures, for example, endangers the lives and livelihood of small landowners and farmers. The extraction and export of mineral resources to industrialized countries has brought few benefits to the continent. The processing of these resources should take place on site, with the participation of the local population, and should see greater added value recognized: this would create many jobs and provide sources of livelihood to many.
In view of the International Youth Day, the Salesian Mission of Austria invites everyone to work together in offering a future to the young, and for this year, it launches an appeal specifically for the young people of Africa because they too, like all the world's young, have the right to have a future.
For more information, visit: https://www.donboscomissionaustria.at
