Cochabamba, Bolivia - January 2023 - With the aim of strengthening communication networking among the environments and sectors of the Salesian Works of the Bolivia Province (BOL), the Salesian Days of Communication were held from January 18 to 20 at the Retreat House in Fátima. Through training and information on the key elements of Social Communication shared with the nearly 50 participants from across the country, it was possible to consolidate the integration of communication workers from the five regions, where Salesian Works are present and are succeeding in making a positive change in the lives of Bolivians. Fr. Miguel Ángel Córdova, Delegate for Social Communication of the BOL Province, led the entire process of organizing and preparing the training of participants, on topics in line with the directives of the Social Communication Department. Among the key elements covered were: key principles for literary and journalistic writing in various newsletters; the proper use of the SDB logo as an institutional image; presentation of tools for interesting narrative construction; and the use of the smartphone for managing videos and short films to make a captivating audiovisual presentation. The days were accompanied by Fr. Henry Córdova, Delegate for Youth Ministry of the BOL Province, who led an integral formation on the Rector Major's Strenna 2023, promoting the identification of the main axes of the Global Educational Covenant, and exhorting all Salesian communities to be leaven in today's human family. Some good practices implemented in the area of accompaniment and work done in Salesian institutions were also shared.

Panama City, Panama - January 2023 - Under the motto "St. Francis de Sales, Promoter of the Spirituality of the Laity," the Salesian Cooperators of the Don Bosco Basilica in Panama City organized a conference on Jan. 21 in honor of the Saint of Lovingkindness. The topic was addressed by Fr. Manuel Gómez, SDB, who elaborated on the theme of the Rector Major's Strenna 2023. After the presentation, a forum was held, led by journalist and Don Bosco alumnus Miguel Olivarren, with Salesian Cooperators Delia Rodríguez, Miriam Pimentel, and Agustín Almario as speakers. To close the activity, the Salesian Family groups present at the convention - Salesians of Don Bosco, Salesian Cooperators, Association of Mary Help of Christians, Past Pupils of Don Bosco, and Daughters of the Divine Savior - promised to carry out a social pastoral visit to the "Hogar de la Divina Gracia," with the aim of providing support to young people at social risk who are taken to that Center for Integral Formation. The conference was attended by several groups from the Salesian Family, youth from the Salesian Youth Movement, confirmands and members of the different pastoral groups active in the Basilica of Don Bosco in Panama City.

Tokyo, Japan - January 2023 - On January 12, the Annual Joint Council of the Salesian Family was held online, involving representatives from each group of the Salesian Family of Japan: Salesians of Don Bosco, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), Sisters of Charity of Jesus, members of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA), Salesian Cooperators, Volunteers of Don Bosco (VDB), Past Pupils of Don Bosco, and the Union of Past Pupils of the FMA. In the meeting, each group shared news about the joys of the past year, the ingenuity with which they continued their activities despite the pandemic, challenges for future development, and goals for the coming year. In addition, it was pointed out that collaborative relationships between the groups have intensified over the years. The Salesians urged the groups to support the youth of the Salesian Youth Movement in this year when WYD2023 will take place in Lisbon. Fr. Jacob Hamaguchi, Superior of the Salesian Province of Japan (GIA), in his speech emphasized that even though a group of the Salesian Family may not be large, in the spirit of Don Bosco one can always have enriching encounters and be a source of light for other SF groups around the world. "As we look forward to the international sharing experiences that SYM youth will have this year, let us join forces with one another to live the life of Jesus in the style of Don Bosco," the Provincial concluded.