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We are an international collective of young people from Salesian Institutions & organizations who are passionate about the welfare of our only planet.
Member Activities
DBGYFF in Itanagar: a platform for youth empowerment and the defence of the environment
Itanagar, India – October 2024 – The Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival (DBGYFF) 2024 was welcomed with great success on 18 October at Don Bosco College (DBC) in Itanagar, representing a transformative event that inspired action for the climate and sensitised young people to the environment. A total of 956 people, including students, teachers and guests of honour, participated in the screening of numerous films on climate change and youth empowerment. Through a powerful visual narrative, the films perfectly embodied the theme of the DBGYFF: "I Have a Dream - Youth and climate change - Making Mother Earth cleaner and greener". The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Bollywood actor and director Saurabh Pandey, director Tai Gungte and branding consultant Kezleen Kholie, who shared their points of view, encouraging participants to commit themselves to the climate. Fr Kottarathil CD Mathai, Principal of DBC, reflected on the impact of the event, noting that "the DBGYFF has the potential to promote a global network of conscious filmmakers and change-makers".
Source: ANS
Don Bosco Green Alliance Project in Brazil collects more than 1 ton of recycled materials
The Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival (DBGYFF) 2024 left a profound impact in Thailand with screenings held across multiple venues, creating a shared experience that united young filmmakers, educators, and community leaders around themes of environmental awareness and social responsibility. During the screenings, local filmmakers were recognized and honored for their participation and achievements. Focused on this year’s inspiring theme, “I Have a Dream: Youth and Climate Change – Making Mother Earth Cleaner and Greener,” the festival introduced youth from diverse backgrounds to the powerful role they can play in addressing global issues through cinema.
Approximately 200 students attended the screening at Phramaemary Sathupradit School in Bangkok on October 24, where they experienced the impact of numerous films. Among these, Dream?, directed by Mr. Varat Pong-on, stood out, leaving a particularly strong impression on the audience. At Sarasit Phithayalai School in Ratchaburi, 189 participants, including students, educators, and members of the Salesian community, engaged in meaningful discussions on sustainable practices inspired by films such as Journey Home by local filmmaker Mr. Thanayu Kanumnuay. Meanwhile, adult attendees at Bann Pornpatcharaniramol in Ratchaburi reflected on the themes presented, considering actionable steps they could take to contribute to ecological preservation.
Cambodia – Women guards of Mother Earth at DBGYFF 2024
Kep, Cambodia – October 2024 - Cambodian young people participated in the Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival 2024 which this year was dedicated to young people and climate change, "I Have a Dream - Youth and climate change - Making Mother Earth cleaner and greener", in the context of the 200th anniversary of John Bosco's dream at 9 years of age. The social communication students and students from different Don Bosco schools in Cambodia were invited to participate in this international Salesian event. Three films made by young people were sent, but one would be the winner in the East Asia - Oceania Region: "Women guards of Mother Earth" directed by Mr Tula Hang, a student of media communication at Don Bosco Kep, with his team. In the ten finalists for the East Asia-Oceania Region, Thailand and the Philippines each scored three films, Vietnam two and Timor-Leste one. The Cambodian film stresses the need for community-oriented action to protect the environment. It is not enough for a single person or some groups to work for the protection of the environment if others in the community are simultaneously carrying out activities for its reduction and degradation. While a group of village women work to protect their beloved ancestral territory of wonderful giant trees, their husbands secretly cut down trees to sell them on the black market, in a hurry to get money for their family's livelihood. The women confront them and seek better solutions where nature and community can work together.
Source: ANS
Students visit UCM Confocal Microscopy Laboratory
Diego Labra, Leandro Guajardo, Nicolás Bravo and Joaquín Barrios, 1st year ETP students, together with science teacher Nicolás Ulloa Ravello at Centro Educativo Salesianos Talca, Chile, visited the Confocal Microscopy Laboratory of the Catholic University of Maule, in a pedagogical experience, whose objective is to promote the interest and active participation of students in advanced scientific disciplines.
The activity, which took place on October 22, was guided by Isabel Vidal, head of the Laboratory, who showed the high-level equipment that the UCM has, with concrete demonstrations of how to analyze images of cell cultures and tissue samples or thicker specimens.
Professor Ulloa noted that by creating practical experiences and vocational guidance, it allows students to develop skills in areas such as technology, engineering and applied sciences.
The Confocal Microscopy Laboratory provides three-dimensional imaging of samples, protein expression and co-expression studies, visualization of bacterial biofilms, analysis of lymphatic vasculature, observation of oocytes, among others, which allows researchers to innovate in the analysis of the results of their research.
Kenya – DBGYFF inspires action in defence of the environment
Nairobi, Kenya – October 2024 - The Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival (DBGYFF) 2024 ended on a powerful note last weekend, challenging the young minds from two Salesian institutions in Nairobi to face urgent climate challenges through the lens of cinema, . The two-day event, held on 18 and 19 October, brought together students, staff and members of the community at Don Bosco Boys Town, and faithful and people interested at Don Bosco Upper Hill. On the occasion, several works selected from the 120 films in competition were presented, focusing on environmental issues. "Through the language of films, this festival can allow us to express our experiences on climate change and inspire in us a sense of urgency for action in favor of the natural environment of Africa," said Fr Andrew Kafua, Communication Coordinator of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of East Africa (AMECEA) and guest of honour at the Upper Hill evening. At Boys Town the Director of the Institute highlighted the crucial role of student participation in defending the environment. The Provincial Delegate for Technical and Vocational Education and Training encouraged greater involvement of students in these initiatives. An important moment was the recognition of two selected films produced by the students from Boys Town. After the screenings, the students engaged in productive discussions focusing on practical steps to create more climate-friendly environments within their schools and local communities. The interactive sessions transformed environmental awareness into concrete commitments.
Source: ANS
Empowering the Young, towards Water conservation: A Day of joyful-learning in an eco-friendly Agri-farm
The Cauveri Planning and Development Office of Tiruchy Province, India (INT), organized an Exposure Visit and Talent Expo for the water conservation club members, on 15th October 2024 at Don Bosco Thanjavur and Sengipatti Agri-farm. The event aimed to inspire young minds about the importance of water conservation and to educate them on sustainable practices for efficient water use, fostering a more environmentally conscious future.
140 club members from six Salesian educational institutions including Salesians and staff who accompanied the children, participated in the event. The day commenced with an informative session followed by a series of competitions on poster-making, speech contests, mime and quiz were held. These activities were a great platform for the students to exhibit their creativity and knowledge while fostering a sense of teamwork and enthusiasm. The winners were awarded with prizes and a stationary-kit was given to each participant as a token of encouragement.
Blog Articles
As we conclude this year’s Season of Creation, we reflect on the vibrant and meaningful activities that brought our community together in celebration, reflection, and action. From September 1st to October 4th, we embraced the theme “To Hope and Act with Creation" Take a glimpse at the activities from the Salesian Family.
Changing a few habits when it comes to food consumption to avoid wastage can make a big difference:
● Schedule a weekly ‘Use It Up’ Day or ‘Use It Up’ Meal to make the most of leftover ingredients.
The world wasted 1.05 billion tonnes of food in 2022, about 1/5 of all the food that was available to consumers.
● Most food wastage, 60%, occurs in the home.
United Religions Initiative (URI) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) with consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. URI, the world's largest grassroots interfaith network, cultivates peace and justice by engaging people to bridge religious and cultural differences and work together for the good of their communities and the world.
Infinite Dignity: A Privilege To Care For Creation
The impact of the present imbalances in the environment affects the most vulnerable people on the planet. Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.
Bonding with the Feathered Brother
Bird watching is fascinating. It’s been happening in my sister’s house in Chennai. Every day a crow visits her kitchen window. Not for his day’s share of cooked food or bird's feed, but for his delicacy mixture (a common spicy snack). When others try to offer the best bird’s feed, it doesn’t interest him. He demands only mixture.
Heatwaves: Testing our human endurance
India was sweating through heatwaves in the past few months. Temperatures in 37 cities crossed 45ºC and night-time temperatures remained as high as 36 degrees in many locations.
My missionary experience took me to Banswara, Rajasthan. Along with my friend, Dr. Gloria, I went for 10 days. Our visit was during peak summer, and the scorching 48-degree heat was harrowing, but it was also an opportunity to see a new place, culture, and way of life. Salesian Missionary Volunteering is invaluable for youth seeking exposure and a chance to make an impact. It allows young people a chance to explore another side of life.
The United Nations Environment Program’s Faith for Earth coalition approached the Don Bosco Green Alliance to nominate a member for the Faith for Earth Youth council. I, Leann D’souza, was nominated by the DBGA and subsequently selected as a member for the council.
The Faith for Earth Coalition is a global platform to facilitate partnerships with faith leaders, faith-based organizations and people of faith at global, regional and local levels in order to inspire, empower and strengthen action and behavioral changes towards achieving the SGDs.
During the month of May, I attend the community rosary in my Church and in my local small Christian community, and a rosary which is conducted for all the residents in my building. Our services begin with adorning the grotto with candles, incense and flowers, singing hymns to Our Lady, praying the rosary followed by savoring some delicious snacks, playing games and enjoying a time of togetherness. One of my benevolent neighbors often takes the responsibility of sponsoring snacks and also cleaning and lighting up the Cross where we gather to say the rosary.
Don Bosco Green Alliance was privileged to be part of the faculty that provided resources for the ongoing course - Joint Diploma on Integral Ecology - which is being held by the Pontifical University in Rome.
The DBGA selected Fr. Francis Gustilo, SDB, President of the Don Bosco School of Theology (DBST), Philippines, a very active member of the DBGA. Fr. Francis gave the participants of the course an inside view of how the DBST has implemented Pope Francis' Laudato Si' in their curriculum and a gist of the institute's vision for the next 10 years.
Today the term “development” is widely used, but often from a philanthropic or ideological perspective. That is why it is important to talk about integral sustainable development from a Catholic perspective. Doing so, on the monthly anniversary of the Salesian Missionary Expedition, is General Councillor for Missions Fr Alfred Maravilla.