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.
Season of Creation 2024
The theme for this year's Season of Creation is "To Hope and Act with Creation". The symbol that will guide us is "The first fruits of hope," inspired by Romans 8:19- 25. DBGA has put together a few resources which you can use for this Campaign. View our Campaign Note which consists of our posters, social media resource kit for Season of Creation 2024 and much more!
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Green and Sustainable Spring at CEDESP Vila Paulistana
Spring, which began on September 22, was celebrated at CEDESP Vila Paulistana at Instituto Dom Bosco, São Paulo, Brazil and the team from the Don Bosco Green Alliance at VP, got the students involved in welcoming the season. Emphasizing the importance of nature for everyone, and respect for our fauna and flora, during the good morning and good afternoon, the students planted kalanchoe seedlings and succulents in planters made from PET containers. As well as helping to improve air quality, these plants also decorate the cafeteria window and make Vila Paulistana even more beautiful. 🌸🌼🌿🥰
Don Bosco Green Alliance Project in Brazil collects more than 1 ton of recycled materials
The Dom Bosco Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,which joined the International Don Bosco Green Alliance project in 2019, carries out several campaigns through the Rede do Bem in favor of sustainability. In the second half of 2023 and the first half of 2024, it continued with the campaign to collect items such as: plastic bottle caps, aluminum seals, cooking oil and motor oil (used), receipts, and discarded batteries. To participate, the people served by all Services and Units (Bom Retiro, Vila Paulistana, and Castelinho Cidade Ademar) should bring these items to the sum of each class. The main objective of the campaign is to raise environmental awareness, correct disposal, in addition to raising funds that are invested in projects on the site.
“The campaign begins at the beginning of the semester, with the intention of motivating our students to participate and thus bring the items voluntarily, always showing them that by adopting conscious practices, we help to create a healthier and more balanced future for everyone. Environmental awareness not only educates, but also inspires others to adopt more responsible attitudes and to take care of the environment,” said Pâmela Fernanda , active in the Project.
Total collection:
Plastic bottle caps – 982 kg
Cooking oil – 705 liters
Motor oil – 100 liters
Batteries – 37 kg
Aluminum seals – 56 kg
Coupons – over 65,000
“Our deep gratitude to everyone who participated. The commitment of each of you makes a huge difference. We live in a world with limited resources and an environment that needs our protection. Every small action counts in preserving our planet for future generations. It is great to see our students and employees adopting sustainable practices,” concluded Pâmela and Priscila Watanabe , who works in the administration of Rede do Bem and contributes to the Alliance.
Concluding Season of Creation in Spain!
At Salesianos San Rafael de Elche in Spain they closed the Season of Creation by renewing their commitments to the DBGA in an act of prayer and meeting with the educational community and with the gesture of planting a tree in their school.
Here’s what their Instagram post says -
.The closing of "Creation Time" has reminded us of the importance of insisting and sticking to our commitments to continue to contribute to the care of the Common House. We planted a new pine tree as a reminder of this day and our YES to "hope and act with Creation".
Congratulations to our House Solidarity Network for promoting this beautiful gesture!
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.
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