(ANS – Bonn) – Between 24 and 29 January 31 young people from various Salesian centres in 11 countries in the world gathered in Bonn, Germany, in response to the invitation of the NGO “Don Bosco Mondo” (formerly “Don Bosco Jugend Dritte Welt”) and to discuss together  the subject of immigration and cultural  exchange The motto was: “Tolerance, Respect, Acceptance.”

 Over 33 million people in the world have  emigrated on account of wars, natural disasters, hunger, lack of prospects and poverty. Often they are young people looking for a better future aware that they cannot find it in their own country.

Among those gathered in Bonn to discuss the phenomenon were many affected personally –either as emigrants or from countries where the phenomenon is widespread – together with others all socially committed and active, including former volunteers, people on the front line, students of the political sciences and many of whom had been working with young people in Salesian circles.

First of all they examined, in a variety of ways, their own stereotypes and prejudices in order to understand the importance of the way they act and the value of a sense of responsibility. They then tried to involve ordinary people in the discussion: with a flash-mob musical in the centre of Bonn they captured the attention of  a large number of people passing by and in very friendly fashion encouraged them to write on a large poster in the centre of the square their own opinions on the subject..

The most significant occasion on the weekend came with the presentation of the results of the youth conference which was held in the form of a theatre workshop. The young people performed  scenes from everyday life quite familiar to immigrants, such as visit to the doctors without health insurance documents, looking for a job, or the difficulties faced at work. The audience  present in the  Don Bosco Forum were asked to intervene and try to change things whenever they thought it appropriate, and in this way a very interesting project also developed, combining  artistic expression and  public opinion on the subject of politics and personal experience which was described as the  “Theatre of the Oppressed.”

In addition to visiting the city and relaxing together which helped bring the group together, other activities included a visit to the Bonn “Variety Hall” the personal experience described by Dr. Rupert Neudeck, founder of the “Cap Anamur”, which works with refugees; and also that of the Salesian Brother Charles Taban, from Southern Sudan who spoke about his escape from Sudan and the help he is giving to other refugees from Southern Sudan.

The meeting was funded by the Foundation for International Dialogue of the Bonn Bank and the city of Bonn and was made possible also by support of numerous Salesian organisations in the world especially, in the first place by Don Bosco Youth Net.

Published 08/02/2012