(ANS – Madrid) – "Erasmus Day", which is being held throughout Europe between 9 and 14 October, is a showcase for numerous internationalisation experiences within the European "Erasmus+" Programme. About 70 educational centres of the Salesians in Spain participate in projects under the European Erasmus+ Programme. Internationalisation is nothing new for most schools: exchanges, the implementation of bilingual teaching models, etc... are actions that have been carried out for several years.

(ANS – Madrid) – Fr Fabio Attard, SDB, appointed by the Rector Major as Extraordinary Visitor to the St James the Greater Province Spain (SSM), during his meeting with the Rectors of Salesian works in the Province, which took place in León on 9-10 October, presented the five fundamental keys to proposing the Salesian charism in today's culture. This was the first meeting at the provincial level that Fr Attard held during his Extraordinary Visitation, which began on 3 October in Aranjuez, followed by a meeting in Parla and a meeting with the Domingo Savio educational community in Madrid on 10 October.

Cordoba, Spain - October 2023 - After a month filled with activities, the 12th edition of the European Researchers' Night 2023 reached its climax with an “Intelligence Fair”. Hundreds of people poured into the gardens of the Rector's Office at the University of Cordoba (UCO) to enjoy the 33 different stands, workshops, games and scientific experiments that UCO research groups organised to explain their studies. In this context, the Salesians from Cordoba celebrated winning first prize in the 'Challenge of Knowledge' competition, in which students from three school centres presented their research work. The Salesian group 3A won with a project on the growth of microorganisms in a culture medium made from household materials. The European Researchers' Night is a science dissemination project promoted by the European Commission as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie initiatives by the Horizonte Europa programme, coordinated in Andalusia by the Fundación Descubre with funding from the Department of University, Research and Innovation.

Spain - October 2023 - The Delegation for Social Communication of the Salesians in Spain, within the framework of the planning drawn up for the 2023-2024 pastoral year, held its online meeting on 5 October with the local Delegates from the different houses in the Saint James the Great Provine (SSM) and Mary Help of Christians (SSM) Province, Spain, and the communication representatives from the Salesian bodies (Federation of Youth Centres, Social Platforms, NGOs, Edebé...). Under the motto "A dream for you", the communication teams, coordinated by the Provincial Delegates, Fr Javier Valiente (SSM) and Fr Carlos Martín (SMX), expressed their gratitude for the work done over the past year. During the work, it was also possible to welcome new local groups and share some strategic directions to continue to grow the work in the network.

Madrid, Spain - September 2023 - About one hundred educators from the Pinardi Federation of Salesian Social Platforms gathered on 28 September at the Salesian work of Atocha, to participate in the traditional annual meeting of the socio-educational area known as "I Becchi". The title of the meeting comes from the place where Don Bosco was born and where he spent his childhood, thus referring to the origins of the Salesians. The meeting, in which the Salesian style of education was discussed, was opened by Francisco Rodríguez, Coordinator of the Social Platforms for the St James the Greater (SSM) Province in Spain. He also motivated those present in the light of this year's pastoral theme: "A Dream for You".

Madrid, Spain - September 2023 - Over the weekend of 22 to 24 September, the Atocha House in Madrid was the scene of the Ordinary Executive Assembly of the Confederation of Don Bosco Youth Centres in Spain. This brought together representatives and members involved in each Federation and youth centre. One of the highlights of the weekend was the conclusion of the last phase of the study on the profile of volunteers, entitled "Study on the participation of volunteers in groups facing the new post-pandemic reality". This study was conducted in a participatory manner with input from city juries, marking an innovative and democratic approach to decision-making. Important updates were made during the Assembly, including the revision and updating of the Work Plan for the upcoming 2023-2024 course. In addition, the edition of the document describing the functions and duties of the Executive Assembly began, a significant step towards effectiveness and clarity in the internal workings of the organisation. One of the most eagerly awaited moments was the voting for and choice of the name and logo of an innovative management tool, marking an important step in the Confederation's modernisation process. The calendar of activities of the Confederation, its federations and Provinces also underwent a comprehensive review, ensuring adequate and efficient planning for the coming period.