(ANS – Rome) – On the afternoon of June 4, the Borgo Ragazzi Don Bosco Salesian center in Rome welcomed Dr. Mario Nava, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL) of the European Commission, accompanied by representatives of the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) and a delegation from the Lazio Region’s Directorate for Education, Training, and Employment Policies.

The visit provided an important opportunity to meet and engage with the young people and staff of the Salesian center while learning firsthand about the project “In V.O.L.O. – Living Beyond Obstacles,” which was implemented through the Lazio Region Operational Program – European Social Fund (2014–2020 Programming Period).

During the tour of the facility, Dr. Nava met directly with young people participating in the center’s educational and vocational training programs, listening to their experiences and personal testimonies. The discussions highlighted the value of an integrated and personalized system of educational, guidance, and support services capable of making a meaningful impact on the personal, relational, and social development of young people.

The delegation was welcomed by Fr. Emanuele De Maria, Director of Borgo Ragazzi Don Bosco, and Fr. Elio Cesari, Director of the National Center for Salesian Works (CNOS) and a member of Don Bosco International, who conveyed the official greetings of the Salesian Congregation.

The meeting was part of a broader collaborative effort initiated through dialogue promoted by Don Bosco International on May 5 in Brussels, during a meeting between Dr. Mario Nava, members of his staff, and representatives of Salesian organizations, including Fr. Elio Cesari (CNOS), Fr. Francesco Preite (Salesians for Social), Fr. Luca Barone (Don Bosco Central Office and Missions), and Michela Vallarino (VIS).

The visit underscored the importance of building strong connections between European institutions, local organizations, and the educational sector so that social and vocational training policies can be translated into real opportunities for young people, especially those facing vulnerable circumstances.

When institutions engage directly with the realities of everyday educational work, valuable partnerships emerge that can foster pathways to inclusion, formation, and a brighter future.