Strengthening Global Cooperation
For many years now, the cooperation between Don Bosco Volunteers, our partner provinces and the receiving communities around the world has grown steadily deeper. This year’s meeting again showed how essential this partnership is for a meaningful and safe volunteer service.
We are deeply grateful for the Salesian communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America, who currently host 42 volunteers from Germany and accompany them with patience, creativity and pastoral care.
Our volunteers serve in communities across Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Montenegro, Benin, Ghana, Togo, Zambia, India, Sri Lanka and Mongolia – including several new placements this year.
Key Topic: Child Safeguarding & Preventing Harm
One central focus was the continuing effort to strengthen child safeguarding across all volunteer placements. In some contexts, challenges remain – including the persistence of corporal punishment, cultural differences in educational practice, and dealing with incidents that affect volunteers emotionally. Together with our partners, we want to move forward in a transparent, non-accusatory and culturally sensitive way:
– creating shared standards,
– improving communication channels,
– carefully supporting volunteers who experience distress, and
– building capacity within communities where needed.
We reviewed our case-management system and agreed on next steps for a joint procedure for safeguarding in international settings.
Mental Health & Accompaniment
The current group of volunteers faces new challenges:
almost 1/3 of the volunteers had already been in therapy or struggling with mental health issues before their service and partners reported increased need for emotional support.
Debate in Germany: Mandatory Service vs. Volunteering
In Germany, political discussions about a possible mandatory social or military service have resurfaced.
We contributed our perspective:
– A service year can only be meaningful if it is freely chosen, not forced.
– Motivation rooted in solidarity, not obligation, leads to deeper learning and healthier relationships – both for volunteers and host communities.
– We strongly advocate for stable and sufficient funding instead of structural cuts, to protect quality in formation and accompaniment.
Looking Ahead: Reverse Program & New Opportunities
We look forward to welcoming a small number of Reverse volunteers (incoming participants from partner countries) starting next September, strengthening global learning in both directions.
We also discussed growing interest in our program despite demographic challenges in Germany (e.g., missing secondary school year), and continued efforts in recruitment, digital formats and partner engagement.
With Gratitude for our worldwide Salesian Family
The meeting took place at the Don Bosco Campus in Bonn, whose community offered warm hospitality.
We thank all Salesian partners worldwide for their trust, patience, openness – and for welcoming our young people into your homes, communities and mission.
Together we continue walking the Salesian path: for and with young people, across borders, cultures and continents.
Ulla Fricke
Director of Education and Communications
