(ANS – New Rochelle) – Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in celebrating World Water Day. Led by U.N.-Water, the organization that coordinates the United Nations’ work on water and sanitation, the day has been honored on March 22 every year since 1993.

(ANS – Quito) – As part of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the Salesian presence in Macas and for the 30th anniversary of the foundation of the Salesian Polytechnic University (UPS) in Ecuador, the late Salesian Fr Siro Maria Pellizzaro (1933-2019) was awarded an Honorary Doctorate for his contribution to the development of Macas and the country, as posthumous recognition of his missionary and scientific-cultural work.

(ANS – Zaragoza) – Once again this year, the Don Bosco National Prize has highlighted the talent of young Spaniards capable of mastering science and technology and of being prepared for an increasingly technological and connected future. At the gala evening held on 21 March at the Salesians in Zaragoza, two projects carried out with Artificial Intelligence (AI) stood out: a mathematical tool for the expression of genes based on AI and an autonomous driving system based on AI.

(ANS – Rome) – In March, the Youth Ministry Sector promoted 5 webinars in 10 sessions with the aim of informing, raising awareness and creating awareness on some mental health issues in young people: eating disorders, mental health of migrants and refugees, youth depression, bullying and suicide and self-harm. Eight highly competent experts offered observations and concrete indications on these issues. These psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals also answered questions from Salesian educators.

(ANS - Florence) - On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, immediately after the inaugural ceremony of the "Didacta Italia" trade fair, a discussion took place between the Minister of Education and Merit, Giuseppe Valditara, and Fr Giuliano Giacomazzi, the Director General of the Centro Nazionale Opere Salesiane - Formazione e Aggiornamento Professionale (CNOS-FAP: Salesian National Centre for Technical Training). The meeting, organized at the behest of Dr. Lorenzo Becattini, President of 'Firenze Fiere SPA', centered on various challenges facing schools and vocational training. These included topics such as the '4+2' reform and the experimentation of technical and vocational schools, the role of Artificial Intelligence, and the relevance of Don Bosco's educational proposal, which is the focus of this year's "Didacta Italia."