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DON BOSCO INTERNATIONAL

DBI

DON BOSCO INTERNATIONAL (DBI) is a platform willing to promote dialogue between Salesians of Don Bosco and European Institutions.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Clint Tanti (Cabinet of Commissioner Glenn Micallef), Wendy Ducatelle (Cabinet of Commissioner Glenn Micallef)

29 Jan 2026 · Courtesy meeting

Meeting with Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Deutsche Industrie- und Handelskammer and

28 Jan 2026 · Stakeholder dialogue on establishing the Erasmus+ programme for the period 2028-2034

Meeting with Giuseppe Lupo (Member of the European Parliament)

28 Jan 2026 · MFF

Meeting with Antonella Sberna (Member of the European Parliament)

29 Jan 2025 · Promuovere i diritti dei giovani: Il ruolo di Don Bosco International nel rafforzare l'educazione e la solidarietà sociale a livello europeo

Meeting with Ibán García Del Blanco (Member of the European Parliament)

30 Jan 2024 · Exchange of views on child protection and migration

Meeting with Miriam Lexmann (Member of the European Parliament)

25 Oct 2023 · European Week of Skills

Meeting with Renaud Savignat (Cabinet of Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen)

9 Oct 2023 · presentation of the documentary "Canillitas" addressing the issue of child labour / protection of children's rights and education of children and young people

Response to Boosting European learning mobility for all

22 Mar 2023

Research by Caritas Europa and Don Bosco International into the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on Vocational Education and Training (VET) reveals that over 57% of young people interviewed consider their education inadequate compared to before the pandemic. Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds had difficulties with e-learning and suffered from the digital divide while those with better access to technology and fast internet found it easier to continue learning. The research findings analyse 375 surveys completed by students aged 14 to 22 who rely on Caritas social services or attended VET centres run by Don Bosco in Albania, Finland, Greece, Italy, and Portugal. Based on these findings Don Bosco International and Caritas Europa formulate the following policy recommendations (full study attached): 1. The European Commission and EU Member States should increase investment through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) to support measures aimed at integrating disadvantaged youth and those not in education, employment, or training (NEETs) into the labour market as well as reducing school dropouts. The EU Institutions and Member States should likewise improve the inclusivity of apprenticeships to support school / training-to-work transitions, particularly in countries with weaker Vocational Education and Training (VET) systems. With the support of public and EU funding (such as ESF+, the Youth Employment Support (YES) and Horizon Europe, local authorities should promote start-ups, aimed at helping young people start their careers and acquire competencies. 2. The European Institutions and EU Member States should prioritise educational training, qualifications, and skilling of people in situations of vulnerability in order to improve their active participation in the labour market, by for instance, adapting upskilling and reskilling training to the capacities and desires of individuals and ensuring tailor-made support for NEETs. Trainings should also provide skills for the green and digital economy, within a lifelong learning framework. 3. The European Institutions and EU Member States should reinforce the Youth Guarantee through coherent actions and intergenerational solidarity. Member States should better target their policy interventions by taking into account the different characteristics and needs of the various subgroups within the NEET population, prioritising those disengaged and experiencing long-term unemployment. Cooperation between Public Employment Services and civil society organisations should be encouraged to reach out to these young people and address their motivation levels, while also building their trust and confidence in the relevant institutions. 4. The European Institutions and EU Member States should guarantee an accessible and inclusive reskilling and upskilling process for all, leaving no one behind, assuring more support to civil society organisations that play a key role in reaching young people from vulnerable and difficult socio-economic backgrounds, who are currently at risk of increased social inequalities and discriminations due to potentially elitist access during this transition. 5. The European Institutions and EU Member States should increase accessibility and social inclusion in the Erasmus+ framework in order to facilitate the participation of vulnerable and marginalised young people in the programme. The Erasmus+ financial support for mobility should be tailored according to the social economic background of families, considering also the cost of living of destination countries. Support schools and civil society organisations should implement an effective information strategy to raise awareness on Erasmus+ opportunities and funds for young people in need. 6. The European Commission should frame 2023 as the European Year of Skills in a holistic and integral manner, avoiding the portrayal of education, training and reskilling or upskilling as a means to competitiveness and employabil
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Response to European Child Guarantee

7 Oct 2020

Don Bosco International welcomes the adoption of a Child Guarantee. However, without careful attention being paid to the developmental needs of children and young people, we believe that it would be all too easy for an adult-centered world to become totally absorbed with the daily Covid-19 barrage of news and influenced by social media misinformation. Those who care for vulnerable children live with the additional fatigue associated with long hours on the front-line of child and youth care and may struggle to find make daily 'ordinary' moments more meaningful for young people in the midst of all this. Support and recognition are important for people to remain vigilant to the daily needs of vulnerable children and youths in their care. This is a time to reinforce personal and community vigilance instead of individual rights. Hence, together with our partners in the EU Alliance for Investing in Children, we are glad to share the attached joint statement including some important recommendations for the adoption of the Child Guarantee.
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Meeting with Renaud Savignat (Cabinet of Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen)

31 Jan 2020 · Don Bosco International presented the work they undertake in education across the world.

Meeting with Irena Andrassy (Cabinet of Vice-President Neven Mimica)

11 Apr 2018 · Meeting to present development projects of Don Bosco

Meeting with Szabolcs Horvath (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

15 Mar 2018 · Don Bosco EU-wide sports initiative

Meeting with Paolo Berizzi (Cabinet of Vice-President Neven Mimica)

30 May 2017 · Presentation of their activities.

Meeting with Federica Mogherini (High Representative / Vice-President) and

7 Feb 2017 · Visit of President of the Confederation Don Bosco accompanied by two former child soldiers of FARC

Meeting with Paolo Berizzi (Cabinet of Vice-President Neven Mimica)

7 Feb 2017 · Reintegration of former child-soldiers

Meeting with Stefaan Hermans (Cabinet of Commissioner Marianne Thyssen), Vasiliki Kokkori (Cabinet of Commissioner Marianne Thyssen)

31 Jan 2017 · Presentation of Don Bosco International