NEWS
A two-day consultation titled "Collaborative Action for Assam Migrants: A Stakeholder Dialogue and Consultation" was successfully held on March 20 – 21 at Don Bosco Institute, Kharguli, Guwahati, and Don Bosco H.S. School, Dibrugarh, Assam. This initiative aimed to bring together 100 key stakeholders and 10 migrant help desk delegates from Chennai, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Gujarat, Goa, and Delhi to discuss and address the challenges faced by Assam's migrant workers in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, and Delhi. The event sought to develop collaborative strategies for the welfare, rights, and protection of Assam's migrant workforce.
On March 4, 2025, a crucial preparatory planning meeting was held at the Provincial House in Guwahati to address the pressing source-destination challenges faced by Assam migrant workers. The meeting saw the participation of key stakeholders, including Fr. Amalraj, Secretary of NorthEast Bishops' Conference, Fr. Bivan Rodrigues Mukhim, Vice Provincial, Fr. Ignatius Gari, Fr. Francis Bosco, Sr. Shoba, Sr. Teresa, Mr. Allan Brooks, Mr. Godwin, and Mr. Abhinesh. This gathering aimed to plan for the Assam Source and Destination visit consultations on March 20-21, 2025, in Guwahati and Upper Assam.
A landmark discussion on migration and urban poverty took place at the UN Building, Delhi, as part of the Voluntary National Review (VNR), aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) on February 14. The event, attended by 40 participants, included representatives from 30 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), UN officials, and officers from NITI Aayog. Father Francis Bosco SDB, in charge of Migrants, SPCSA, India, played the leading role in the proceedings.
To better equip students for the evolving job market, a one-day training programme titled 'How to Become a Career Guide' was held on January 29, at Bosco Reach Out, Guwahati. Organized by Bosco Reach Out, Career Guidance, and Job Placement Services, Guwahati, in collaboration with the Don Bosco Job Placement Network and the Forum of Salesian Career Guidance and Job Placement, the event brought together over 25 participants, including teachers, career counsellors, vocational center in-charges, and placement coordinators from Assam and Meghalaya.
Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, renowned as the hub of India's garment industry, played host to a significant consultation meeting on 24th January 2025. Organized collaboratively by Tamil Nadu Alliance, JMS (Jesuit Migrant Service), MAiN (Migrant Assistance Network), and DB4M (Don Bosco Forum for Migrants), the event was held at the SAVE Office and brought together a diverse group of stakeholders committed to addressing the pressing issues faced by migrant workers in the region.
Don Bosco Anbu Illam played host to a groundbreaking consultation aimed at addressing the pressing challenges faced by distressed migrant workers in Tamil Nadu. The event brought together an eclectic mix of stakeholders, including NGOs, trade unions, social work colleges, religious leaders, and social workers. Organized with a shared commitment to champion the welfare and rights of migrant workers, the consultation was a significant step toward establishing a coordinated approach to resolving migrant issues in the region.
A preliminary conversation to make Rajahmahendravaram a Migrant-Friendly City, a Civil Society Consultation in Support of Migrants, was organized by the Para and Women and Child-Friendly Rajahmundry and DB4M at Ekalavya Children's Home, Rajahmundry, in the presence of Father Francis Bosco, Director of the South Asia Migrant's Network of Don Bosco Institutes, New Delhi.
On December 18, India marked International Migrants Workers Day with a series of transformative events across the nation, reflecting a collective resolve to uplift internal migrants who often face exploitation and invisibility. Spearheaded by Don Bosco for Migrants (DB4M) partners—including PARA, KISMAT, Suraksha Migrants Desk, DBMS, BOSCO INK, and Navsarjan—the celebrations highlighted the struggles and contributions of migrant workers while emphasizing the critical need for systemic change. Anchored by the Distressed International Young Migrant Workers Day manifesto, these initiatives called for policies ensuring minimum wages, decent working conditions, and social security. "Let us join and respect them as laborers with rights," urged the manifesto, underscoring the importance of advocacy, solidarity, and action to protect the dignity and rights of India's migrant workforce.
In a significant move to address migration challenges, the Baroda Diocese organized a one-day consultation on migration at the Don Bosco Church Hall, Makarpura, Vadodara, on November 19. The event brought together priests, religious sisters, NGO representatives, trade union members, and well-wishers to strengthen collaboration and advocacy for the rights and welfare of migrant communities in Gujarat.
Since 1974, Don Bosco Sneha Bhavan, Palluruthy, in collaboration with the Cochin Corporation, has been actively striving towards the welfare of the youth and the eradication of atrocities against children in society. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of this noble cause, the community organized a celebration on November 9, attended by notable personalities.
Father Francis Bosco SDB, National Director of the Salesian Migrant Desk, addressed 49 head and village catechists at a three-day training for the Diphu diocese held at Mary Help of Christians Church, Satgaon, West Karbi Anglong, Assam. Organized by the Salesian parish on October 27, the event aimed to educate local church leaders on pressing migrant issues affecting the region. Father Albert Thyrniang, parish priest at Satgaon, presented his extensive survey of 1,596 migrant workers, shedding light on the socio-economic factors driving North East youth to seek employment in urban centers.
On October 25, 2024, a one-day orientation on the Young at Risk (YaR) and Migrant Ministry took place at the Provincial House in Dimapur, Nagaland, aimed at revitalizing these critical ministries. Resource persons Father Francis Bosco and Father Joe Prabhu from the Don Bosco National Forum for Young at Risk, Delhi, led the program, engaging 52 participants, including Rectors and In-charges from the Dimapur Province.
A meeting of priests, religious, and lay leaders of neighbouring areas in Bengtol Parish on October 19 resulted in a collaborative effort to support the region's growing migrant-worker population. The meeting, which featured a presentation by Fr. Francis Bosco SDB, National Director of Don Bosco Migrant Services of South Asia, highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive and effective support systems for these vulnerable individuals.