(ANS - Madrid) - In the Year of the Bicentenary of the birth of its founder, the Citizens Award 2015 is being granted to the Salesian Congregation, in recognition of the heritage it received from Don Bosco and because of its commitment to education and particularly to vocational training. The award ceremony will be held today, Thursday 26 November, in the Espacio Bertelsmann auditorium at 7.45 p.m. local time.
The decision was announced by the jury of the 18th Citizens Award by Premios Ciudadanos which is a non-profit organization. For this year 2015, they wanted to recognize the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco, for "his wonderful contribution to history and, in particular, for the Salesian commitment to the development of vocational training schools."
The jury was made up of prominent intellectuals and a large number of representatives of citizen groups. It took into account in its decision several categories of human values - education; human development; the impact of projects on citizens; action and commitment for people at risk; and health and social welfare.
Apart from the Salesians the winners included: "Red Electrica" of Spain, "Iberdrola", the Tecsos Foundation, the City of Santander, "Eroski y Gureak", the Trilema Foundation, the 217 Matterhorn Scout Group, "Aytos" and the Globalis Foundation.
Founded by Don Bosco on 18 December 1859, with the name "Society of St. Francis de Sales", the Salesian Congregation has brought the legacy of Don Bosco to over 130 countries worldwide. In Spain there are about a hundred Salesian schools that educate more than 73,000 students each year, thanks to the work of about 5,000 teachers. Then there are 50 vocational training centres frequented each year by 25,000 students who wish to enter the labour market. The Salesian educational network also includes more than 100 youth centres, where 32,000 children and young people spend their free time, and social services that cater for 16,000 people from the most vulnerable sectors of society.
Published 26/11/2015
