Another 18 youngsters celebrated the start of their voluntary service as participants in the Don Bosco Volunteers Academy in Benediktbeuern in mid-September. During a solemn service they were handed over Don Bosco medals and were warmly welcomed to the Don Bosco family. In the last month they had prepared themselves for a year of international service in Don Bosco institutions all over the world. Due to the pandemic, this was not possible at that time. That is why they take the chance to work intensively on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Francesco Bagiolini, Advisor for International Youth Work and Voluntary Services at Aktionszentrum Benediktbeuern, co-developed the Don Bosco Volunteers Academy. “In up to six month we put the SDGs and their topics like sustainability, ecology and education in context with the life as global citizens who take responsibility for themselves, others and a peaceful and just world as a matter of course”, he emphasises. “We choose the subjects according to the experiences volunteers usually gain in their international service.”
In addition to seminars, open day offers and workshops the volunteers can use periods of practical training in Don Bosco institutions in Germany to develop their personality.
