Dotma, India - August 2019 - On 24 August, Fr Ivo Coelho, General Councilor for Formation, visited the prenovitiate of Dotma, Assam, in the Salesian Province of Guwahati (ING) for the first time. Accompanied by Fr Jose Mathew Kuttianimattathil, Formation Coordinator of the South Asia Region, Fr Coelho was welcomed with traditional songs, dances and rituals by the 30 Salesian pre-novices, Salesians and members of the Salesian Family, including the FMA community and various Salesians Cooperators. The Councilor and the coordinator spent time listening and interacting with the prenovices and the formation team; after dinner, Fr Coelho said he was happy to see that prenovices are cheerful and spontaneous and that there is a good spirit in the community. The prenovitiate community was founded in Dotma in 2012 and is located in a Salesian missionary environment, that also includes a parish that accompanies about 5,000 Catholics, a high school with 700 students, an FMA community and boarding schools for young people.

Catania, Italy - August 2019 - On 29 August, Fr Stefano Martoglio, Councilor for the Mediterranean Region, presided over the installation ceremony of the new Salesian Provincial of Sicily (ISI), Fr Giovanni D’Andrea, who succeeds Fr Giuseppe Ruta. Fr D'Andrea will be assisted in the work of government and animation of the ISI Province by the new Provincial Vicar, Fr Franco Di Natale, by the new Provincial Economer, Fr Marcello Mazzeo, and by the new members of the Provincial Council.

Salt Lake City, United States - August 2019 - From August 26th to 28th the 68th United Nations Civil Society Conference was held in Salt Lake City, Utah, on the theme: “Building Inclusive and Sustainable Cities and Communities”. Also present at the conference were Fr Antoine Farrugia, a Salesian from the Malta Vice Province, and Fr Thomas Pallithanam, Salesian Representative at the UN. The latter had the opportunity to intervene in the work session entitled "Building inclusive communities through education". On this occasion, Fr Pallithanam emphasized the importance of education and the transmission of values to children. Participation in the Conference was an important opportunity to work together with the various United Nations bodies, in order to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.