"​My participation in the project "The Future is Europe" as Italian representative of Salesiani per il Sociale APS is an inestimable gift and a privilege for me. Being part of Don Bosco’s big family means not stopping in the usual context, but exploring the world, embracing new points of view, not staying in the comfort zone. Don Bosco challenges us and wants us to be brave!

Looking over is sometimes the solution. It was the solution for me. I went little by little further and further, discovering that beyond my existence, there is a magnificent collective experience, which passes through the richness of those who are different from me... who are also surprisingly similar to me. As a group of young Salesians from 7 European countries, we made a journey together through important issues that lead us to ask ourselves about the future of local and international volunteering in our realities and abroad.

Traveling through Germany (Benediktbeuern), Belgium (Leuven) and Spain (El Campello), we covered the topics of digital transformation, solidarity and employment: we put ourselves at stake by bringing to the group our personal stories and experiences from our home countries. This gave us the opportunity to deepen interesting themes, finding practical solutions and new tools.

Our last experience in Spain focused on employment and recognition of skills acquired thanks to volunteering, through seminars and group activities, in the wonderful atmosphere of the Salesian house of El Campello (Alicante), just steps from the sea. "Reflection moments" on the beach, role playing activities, creative moments, the intercultural dinner, strong hugs, incredible synthony at first look and shiny eyes of those who understand and recognize themselves: these are memories that will always remain imprinted in my heart.

Only the last stage of this adventure remains… Venice will host the last round of the project  on the topic of sustainability from August 31st to September 3rd.  
I can’t wait to live this last trip with many international friends in my beautiful Italy!
Dear all, let yourselves be surprised by the wonderful encounter with diversity!
Go beyond your borders and embark on international experiences with Don Bosco Youth-Net!
Amazing friends are waiting for you!"

Advocates for Education was a 6-day training course on youth advocacy, aiming at developing advocacy campaigns volunteers from DBYN's member organisations can implement in their local communities. The participants developed 6 campaigns. You can read their campaign plans in this post.

These interviews were made by the participants of 'Generations of Participation' as a preparation for the international youth congress on intergenerational dialogue.