(ANS – New York) – An event on “Youth and Migration”, honoring the Salesian Charism as the Salesian Family prepares for the 200^th Anniversary of the birth of Don Bosco, was held at United Nations Headquarters, New York on October 21, 2013.

After welcoming the attendees to the ECOSOC Chamber, H.E. Ambassador Néstor Osorio, President of ECOSOC, spoke of the issue of migration and the importance of having collaborators in civil society, and indicated that at this event one such partner, the Salesians of Don Bosco, would offer reflections on their experience of working with migrant populations, especially the young. Rev. Thomas E. Brennan, S.D.B, Ed.D, gave a welcome on behalf of the Salesian family, thanked Ambassador Osorio for his gracious hospitality and invited the participants in the meeting to address the challenges that many migrants face.

H.E. Archbishop Francis Assisi Chullikatt, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and H.E. Ambassador Mary E. Flores, Permanent Representative of Honduras to the United Nations, co-sponsors of the event with Colombia and the Salesians of Don Bosco, were also present.

Rev. Juan Carlos Quirarte, S.D.B., Ph.D., the Director of Asociación Desarrollo Juvenil del Norte in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, then spoke about the experience of Youth at the Border and some Salesian responses to this reality.

The keynote address was then delivered by H.E. Cardinal Oscar Andrés Rodríguez M., S.D.B, Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, President of Caritas Internationalis, Chair of the Council of Cardinals. After acknowledging the important work done at the United Nations on the issue of migration during the past year, as well as faith community responses to migration, he spoke of the work of the Salesians. Quoting Fr. Pascual Chavez, the Rector Major of the Salesians, the Cardinal stressed that we should see migrants “not so much as a problem but a resource, and not just an economic resource, but a human resource.” Migrants are our brothers and sisters.

Cardinal Rodriguez told the participants that Don Bosco’s response to young migrants is the one that Salesians of today continue to provide:

1. a safe place to live, providing shelter, food and a sense of family;
2. skills training to prepare the youth for the world of work and to avoid crime;
3. opportunities for recreation and developing artistic skills;
4. religious/spiritual formation.

The early formulation of this idea was, “We reach out to them to provide for them a home, a school, a parish and a place where the young can meet and share as friends.” This multi-dimensional response to the needs of the young is essential.

The Cardinal noted the importance of the presence of young people for this discussion and encouraged them to work in their communities in the USA to change minds and hearts to welcome the migrants among them.

The event is accessible through a webcast.

Published 23/10/2013