On 28 January 2026, Don Bosco International (DBI) gathered partners, policymakers, and friends at the Chapel for Europe in Brussels to celebrate the Feast of Don Bosco with a strong and timely message: “Your Education, Our Future: Building Life‑Changing Paths.”
This year’s event focused on why inclusive education must be a priority for Europe as the EU prepares its next long‑term budget, as well as key policy strategies in the field of education, vocational training and poverty. The panel brought together speakers directly involved in advocacy, education, migration and child rights: Fr. Antoine Farrugia, SDB – Global Advocacy Coordinator for the SDB Youth Ministry Department, Fr. Bart Decancq, SDB – Provincial of the Salesian Province of Northern Belgium and the Netherlands, Ms. Valentina Galli – Policy and Project Consultant at SIRIUS Network, Ms. Zuzana Konradova – EU Affairs Coordinator at Eurochild, and Co-Chair of the Alliance for Investing in Children, Sr. Valentine Delafon – Managing Director of Don Bosco Ganshoren.
Drawing from the SIRIUS Watch 2025 findings, the Eurochild 2025 flagship report, the EU Alliance for Investing in Children’s recommendations, the Salesian good practices, speakers stressed that inclusive education is essential for facing current uncertainties, building a cohesive and resilient Europe. They highlighted structural barriers and persistent gaps in migrant education, EU mobility programmes, unequal access to educational and social services, and the need for coordinated, well‑funded policies.
As the Preventive System’s long‑standing experience shows, building education and formation ecosystems that are learner‑centred, equitable, and capable of giving children and youth real second chances is possible if each of us, in our own fields of action, actively commits to being present, listening, understanding others, working in synergy and dialogue with other stakeholders and policymakers. Throughout the evening, a common message emerged: if we want a Europe where every person feels safe, welcome and recognised, we cannot stand alone. Making children and young people protagonists of this process, especially those with few opportunities or facing socio‑economic disadvantages, is vital for the Union’s future.
The celebration was honoured by the presence of Monsignor Itaruma – Councillor at the Apostolic Nunciature to the EU, MEP Cristina Guarda as well as officers from the European Commission and the European External Action Service, who joined Salesian representatives, civil‑society organisations, European VET networks, and education experts for an evening of reflection and dialogue.
The evening continued with a Mass celebration presided over by Xavier Ernest, Provincial FRB, and animated by the GPS Trio, followed by a buffet dinner, a moment of community that reflects Don Bosco’s enduring legacy of joy, encounter, and hope.
This year’s event was organised within the framework of the Erasmus+ SIRIUS 3.0 project.
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