Your 2024 Dream for Ecology!
As a Salesian how can we instill care for our planet? Don Bosco used to take his boys regularly on treks and nature trails. He loved nature and in his early childhood years worked on the farm. Jesus and our blessed Mother spoke to him in his dreams using different animals of nature. We see a deep connection with nature and creation in all his works from care for his poor boys, to taking them on nature treks and spending time outdoors. Don Bosco understood that we are not just part of creation but are one with the Creator and creation.
How can we then go forward with benevolence and without doubt that all created things come from God and must go back to Him for His praise, reverence and service. We must value all the gifts and carry gratitude in our hearts for all God’s creation and the created things we have received from his bounty. This is the attitude we must carry in every Salesian home. We must ask our beloved Blessed Mother to guide our efforts so that we can offer all our labour back to our creator who has bestowed all his blessings upon us.
We are an international collective of young people from Salesian Institutions & Organizations who are passionate about the welfare of our only planet.
The Letter
A message for our Earth
“We see what is happening, and the worst thing is that we are becoming used to it. This ‘becoming used to’ is a terrible illness.” – Pope Francis.
This documentary focuses on the encyclical letter ‘Laudato Si’ addressed to everyone that the Pope wrote in 2015. Today his message is even more urgent!
This film is presented by YouTube Originals, produced by an Oscar-winning Off The Fence Productions, in partnership with the Laudato Si’ Movement.
Featuring:
Pope Francis;
Cardinal Cantalamessa, the Preacher to the Papal Household;
Cacique Dadá, Leader of the Novo Lugar community of the Borarí people (Voice of the Indigenous)
Arouna Kandé, a climate refugee hailing from the Kolda region of Senegal (Voice of the Poor)
Ridhima Pandey, a young climate activist from Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India (Voice of the Youth)
Greg Asner and Robin Martin, marine biologists from Hawaii, United States of America (Voice of Wildlife)
Lorna Gold, president of Laudato Si’ Movement.
About Us
Don Bosco Green Alliance is an international Green Salesian Movement of people from the Salesian Family institutions, who contribute to global environmental action, thought and policy. Launched in 2018, the alliance is today an active platform where Salesian Family institutions, organisations and individuals exchange ideas and work together on global environmental campaigns all for the ‘Love of Creation.’ Read More...
Priority Areas
Member Activities & Contributions
Eco-club Planet Protectors - St. John Bosco Arts College, Liverpool
St. John Bosco Arts College, Liverpool, UK made an interesting announcement to their students encouraging them to come forward and get involved in a project of the college’s eco club on their campus. Below is what their website states -
We are excited to have our first planter from our eco-club Planet Protectors, which can be seen through the window of the hall.
Situated on the Year 8 yard, we have ambitious plans to grow this space into something beautiful over time. The oak seeds that we planted were kindly donated to us through our partnership with the Tree Council, and the sunflower seeds planted were donated by our incredible staff.
Each of the seeds has been given its own name, including the one and only Bosco! Over time, we hope to watch them grow and flourish with a bit of Faith, Hope and of course, Love.
An initiative for ethical fashion at the Don Bosco Boys Town in Nairobi
The International Trade Centre-Ethical Fashion Initiative has launched a green and inclusive fashion project called "Designing the Future" at Don Bosco Boys Town Nairobi. It is a project funded by the Italian Government that aims to involve micro-manufacturers and to enhance Kenya's potential as a fashion production centre. The Salesian Training Centre will serve as a design centre for the production of the products. The launch event was attended by numerous personalities, including Fr George Tharaniyil, Superior of the Salesian St John Bosco Province of East Africa (AFE); Alex Musembi, co-founder of "Africa Collect Textiles"; Lilian Kahiro, director of "Ushinde"; Giovanni Grandi, Head of the Regional Headquarters of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Nairobi; Mercy Wanjau, Cabinet Secretary of the Republic of Kenya; Stephen Jackson, Representative of the United Nations in Kenya; Roberto Natali, Ambassador of Italy and Susan Mang 'eni, Permanent Secretary of the State Department for Medium and Small Enterprises. The collective voice of all stakeholders underlined the importance of collaboration between the Government, the Church and other development partners, in order to empower and enable job creation and sustainability for young people.
Hong Kong – Salesian Youth Environmental Day 2024
A proposal from GC28 was suggested: “Together with Pope Francis, we recognise the evidence provided by science that the acceleration of climate change coming from human activity is real. Air pollution, water pollution, Improper waste disposal, loss of biodiversity and other environmental issues that have a negative impact on human life are increasing. Unsustainable production and consumption are pushing our world and its ecosystems beyond their limits, undermining their ability to provide resources and actions vital to life, development and regeneration.”
Starting this year, in addition to the Salesian Youth Day, there will be a Salesian Youth Environmental Day which aims to motivate young people to engage in the global movement to promote sustainable development environmentally and ecologically and understand that caring for God’s creation is everyone’s mission.
Inauguration of Kamikatsu Kuvalam and Thiruvalluvar Thottam at Don Bosco College, Yelagiri Hills
The inauguration of the Kamikatsu Kuvalam (Waste to Wealth Station) and Thiruvalluvar Thottam (Vegetable Garden) marked a significant milestone in the sustainability efforts of Don Bosco College, Yelagiri Hills, Tamil Nadu, India. The event was graced by the presence of the Extraordinary Visitor, Rev Fr. Gianni Rolandi SDB, along with members of the Salesian community, faculty members, and enthusiastic students.
Program Highlights:
Prayer Service and Blessings:
The inauguration commenced with a solemn prayer service, invoking blessings upon the Kamikatsu Kuvalam and Thiruvalluvar Thottam. Rev Fr. Thaddeus SDB led the prayer session, emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.
Inauguration Ceremony:
Rev Fr. Gianni Rolandi, accompanied by the Salesian community, officially inaugurated the Kamikatsu Kuvalam and Thiruvalluvar Thottam. His inspiring words encouraged everyone present to actively engage in initiatives aimed at environmental conservation and community welfare.
University Students from the Silva Henríquez Catholic University Cultivate Environmental Awareness and Solidarity in Lo Cañas, Chile
The Silva Henríquez Catholic University, Lo Cañas Campus, Chile, has taken terms such as common good and integral human development to a new level, thanks to the work of its students.
After having dedicatedly planted medicinal, native and autochthonous plants during the past semesters, this autumn season the seed collection has been carried out.
These events were carried out within the framework of the curricular activities of the Faculty of Health Sciences, in particular, in the field of phytotherapy, medicinal gardens and the production of natural products by Professor Valeska Leiva.
With this in mind, the students have not only strengthened the relationship with caring for the environment, but they also obtained self-care tools and the identity of the territory.
The commitment of these students also extends beyond the boundaries of campus. They are committed to the need to share the knowledge and resources they have acquired with vulnerable communities. Therefore, these harvests mark not only the culmination of their efforts over several semesters but also the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of those who need it most.
World Water Day at Instituto Dom Bosco, Brazil
Where does water come from? The importance of this resource!
March 22nd is World Water Day. This very important resource was on the agenda of the young people at the Castelinho Dom Bosco Cidade Ademar CCA. On the 25th of the month, they reflected on saving this resource, as well as recognizing the importance of water in our lives and its many uses. With awareness in mind, the children were shown in a playful way how long it takes for water to reach our homes clean.
The class at CCA PROVIM Bom Retiro also reflected on conscious consumption, but drew attention to personal hygiene, and also why we shouldn't stop drinking it, highlighting its importance for our bodies.
"It was important to learn how to save and value water and how it gets to our house, the activity was very nice." Maria Eduarda, CCA student.
Blog Articles
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.
Here are some ideas from the World's Largest Lesson Newsletter on how to celebrate Earth Day with students -
Resource of the Month: #MakeSpaceforNature
Ages 8-14
As we celebrate Earth Month, encourage students to understand the wonder of biodiversity and why it’s key to achieving the Global Goals. Explore the beauty of the natural world with students and understand why we need to bend the curve on nature loss.
Young people from all over the world are once again invited to participate in the "Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival" (DBGYFF), the Salesian international youth film festival. The Social Communication Sector of the Salesian Congregation has in fact joyfully announced the third edition of the competition, the final of which is scheduled for 17-18 October 2024 - as usual in a multitude of realities and locations in over 100 countries around the world.
We're excited to announce a new partnership. On March 19th, the Feast of St. Joseph, the Don Bosco Green Alliance signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jugend Eine Welt for the promotion of the "Back to Nature" campaign.
Partners
EcoJesuit
World Clean Up
Let's Do It! World