Between the 13th and the 20th January I had the opportunity to participate in an International Youth Conference 2014, organized by the Don Bosco Mission, in Bonn Germany.

The first impact was immediately wonderful: forty young people from all over the world (Italy, Brazil, Malta, Philippines, Poland, Germany, Colombia, England, Sudan, Austria, Spain and Afghanistan), who are involved in different ways through the various Don Bosco mission, got together to learn, discuss and reflect on the topic of violence.

Various interesting activities were held everyday and each participant had the opportunity to express his / her own creativity and share experiences. We reflected about the meaning of violence, about the different types of violence, about what leads to violence, consequences and ways to prevent it. The fact that there were various participants from different countries helped to compare the experiences of violence at the various levels and through the various contexts.

Every day small groups prepared good morning and a goodnight talks voluntarily, reflecting the Salesian style, and tackling the topic of violence. Moreover, each group had the opportunity to do a presentation on the Salesian projects they work on back home. Needless to say, creativity in presentations was not limited.

One other positive experience was the fact that at various instances we could work in small groups each time changing so that we get to know as many participants as possible during the sessions and share our diverse ideas. Serenity and respect followed us during all week.

The activities were delivered in English, however there was a sense of unity when those knowing different languages ensured that those who do not understand English very well were given the necessary assistance The group became even stronger thanks to evening walks in Bonn center, and to a great experience in an ice-skating ring…

On the 19th of January the Don Bosco Forum was held at Bonn University. It covered topics which included perspectives of youth in today’s society, especially in some countries like Brazil or Colombia, and the role of education in the future development. The main hosts were Horst Köhler, former president of Germany, who served as the head of International Monetary Fund and is now an adviser to the global millennium development goals, and Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga, a Salesian Cardinal from Honduras, who has always been involved in the fight against poverty and a member nominated by Pope Francis to reform the Roman Curia.

But the highlight of the Forum was our theatrical dance exhibition. After two days of hard preparation and thanks to the help of our fantastic teacher Heidi, we performed a choreography which expressed the topic of violence as an obstacle to a good life, with slogan grand finale banner saying “Red Card to Violence!”.

It’s not easy to summarize what I felt during this week. On coming back home I realize that I made a lot of new friends, and gained knowledge through intercultural learning apart from the enthusiasm which each participant brought about.

I want to point out that now I’m sure that “nothing happens purely by co-incidence”: I was invited at last minute; I went to Bonn without understanding what I had to do…and I lived an unforgettable experience!

I’m very thankful to Don Bosco and finally I saw with my eyes that Don Bosco lives everywhere around the world!

Marco Fulgaro