(ANS – Rome) – The second edition of the “Sognati da Grande” (Dream Big) youth creative competition, promoted by the DON BOSCO NEL MONDO Foundation and dedicated this year to the theme of peace, has concluded with a very positive outcome. The initiative involved around 1,000 students from Salesian schools and vocational training centers, recording a threefold increase in participation compared to the first edition.
A Highly Significant Result
The competition produced 73 original entries on the theme of peace: videos, drawings, texts, and even video game projects, bringing together the aspirations of young Italians with those of their peers at the Salesian mission in Niamey, Niger, the beneficiary of a twinning project linked to the initiative. Twelve institutions, including schools and vocational training centers, were involved—a significant increase from the previous year, signaling growing participation from Salesian educational institutions.
The challenge set by the Foundation was demanding: to reflect on the meaning of peace in a context marked by conflict, division, and individualism. The message “Make Peace: Imagine, Create, and Share Your Idea of Peace” guided the participants, who responded with works rich in sensitivity and originality, offering multiple interpretations of a shared ideal.
The Selection Process: Two Complementary Stages
The selection of the winners took place in two stages. In the first stage, on February 10–11, the Foundation’s internal technical jury examined all the entries, identifying three finalists for each category and type.
Subsequently, between February 16–22, the selected entries were published online for public voting. This stage transformed the competition into a participatory experience across the entire Italian Salesian network, fostering discussion and sharing around the various forms of expression used by the young people.
The Winners by Category
The winning projects stood out for their quality, coherence, and communicative power. In the “Emerging Dreamers” category (ages 9–12), peace was represented through various forms of expression: from the video created by Emma Tosìand Virginia Barbieri of the Salesian Institute of Mary Help of Christians in Trento, to the comic strip by Magali Crossetto of the St. Dominic Savio Institute in Bra, to the video game project by the group from the G. Bearzi Institutein Udine.
In the “Absolute Dreamers” category (ages 13–15), prizes were awarded to the video by Year 8 of the Don Bosco School in Treviglio, the graphic and narrative work by Class 3B of the Don Bosco College in Borgomanero, and the video game concept proposed by Giulia Corbo from the Salesian Institute Pio XI.
Finally, in the “Established Dreamers” category (ages 16–18), the video by the students of the 4th IPSA class at the Beata Vergine di St. Luca Salesian Institute in Bologna and the graphic-narrative project by the 3rd Catering Operator Class, Section B, at the Borgo Ragazzi Don Bosco Vocational Training Center in Rome stood out.
The Twinning with the Mission in Niamey, Niger
From this edition onward, the competition has taken on a charitable dimension, linking with the practical support of a Salesian mission. The mission in Niamey, Niger, was chosen; it cares for around 500 children, many of whom are in vulnerable situations or lack family support.
Thanks to the Foundation’s contribution, it will be possible to provide 400 school kits, ensure access to the cafeteria for 100 children, and offer educational, sports, and psychological support activities through the oratories in Harobanda, Niamey, and Torodi.
Prizes for the Winners
The winners of the various categories were awarded themed books designed to explore the value of peace. The youngest children will receive “People Power: Protests That Changed the World,” while “My Home Is the Shark’s Mouth” was chosen for the middle-aged group, and “The Mechanics of Peace” for the older students.
Around 80 award-winning students, representing all participants, received these prizes as a tangible sign of their commitment and creativity.
An Educational Opportunity for the Whole Congregation
“Sognati da Grande” thus confirms itself as a significant educational experience for the entire Italian Salesian community. The works presented demonstrated how young people are able to tackle complex issues with depth and authenticity, translating the idea of peace into concrete, everyday choices.
Through this initiative, the DON BOSCO NEL MONDO Foundation continues to promote youth leadership, linking young people’s creative energies with the needs of the missions and helping to build an educational bridge between different contexts, in the spirit of Don Bosco’s dream.
Source: DON BOSCO NEL MONDO Foundation