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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
Don Bosco Madagascar receives Green Skills Award 2024
Earlier this year, the European Training Foundation (ETF) hosted the Green Skills Award which celebrates innovative initiatives that promote sustainable practices and the development of green skills globally.
For the Green Skills Award 2024 year, they received 316 applications from 53 countries among which was Don Bosco Madagascar.
The jury selected the 10 finalists with nearly 18,000 people from their audience on social media voting for their favourite stories.
Participation in the Environmental Fair for Water and Biodiversity
The Salesian Agricultural School of Catemu, Chile had the honor of participating in the Environmental Fair for Water and Biodiversity, an event organized by the Environmental Department of the Municipality of Catemu together with the Terram Foundation. This event brought together various institutions committed to the care of the environment and the promotion of sustainable practices.
Our educational community presented an outstanding display of agroecological initiatives, which included:
🌱 The use of Luffa as a substitute for synthetic sponges, highlighting its biodegradable and environmentally friendly properties.
🌿 Natural biopreparations, such as nettle, used to fertilize crops and the biopreparation was explained as pest control in an organic way, reducing the use of chemicals.
Green Activities at school in Brazil!
One of our new members, Instituto Nossa Senhora da Glória - Castelo from Brazil has sent us a report on the environment project of their school known as Green Castle Project. Have a look at their initiatives and be inspired to imitate their zeal towards caring for our common home!
6th grade students at Colégio Castelo carry out a solidarity action by collecting bottle caps
In a gesture of solidarity and commitment to the environment, 6th grade students at INSG/Castelo – Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil delivered, this Tuesday (12 November 2024), donations of plastic bottle caps collected in the CINE Castelo Project, held during Expo Castelo in September this year.
The CINE Castelo Project, coordinated by teachers Mariúcha Correa (Writing) and Thaynara Brasil (Portuguese), provided students with a rich learning and creativity experience through the production of a short film. Throughout the process, students developed several skills such as planning, teamwork and problem-solving.
To make the launch of the short film even more meaningful, admission was charged in plastic bottle caps, encouraging the participation of the school community and raising awareness about the importance of recycling. The bottle caps collected were donated to the Tampinhas do Bem Project, which transforms this material into resources for the neutering of abandoned animals. This sustainable practice reinforces Colégio Castelo's commitment as a member of the Don Bosco Green Alliance.
3°D TP students help to recover Urban Wetland “La Proto” in Talca
In a combined activity between the subjects of Citizenship Education and Science for Citizenship, on October 30 a service-learning experience was carried out with the students of 3°D TP, which consisted of collaborating in the recovery of the urban wetland “La Proto”, located at 2 Poniente 3 Sur, west bank of the Piduco canal in Talca, Chile.
During the morning outdoor activity, students participated in the cleaning and restoration of the wetland, a vital space for the city's biodiversity. Its recovery not only improves the local ecosystem, but also the quality of life of the community. The young people were very conscious of the results of the activity and expressed their amazement at the place, which is located in the heart of the city, almost hidden, where urban flora and fauna live and interact.
Professor Jessica Rojas emphasized that, through this experience, students will acquire a greater awareness of the various forms of participation and their contribution to strengthening the common good, applying technical and academic skills in a real context, which reinforces their social responsibility and commitment to sustainability.
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
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.