(ANS – April 2026) – At the invitation of Confindustria Udine, as part of an exploratory mission focused on formation, mobility, and educational cooperation between Italy and Argentina, Don Bosco Tech Europe had the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of key Salesian initiatives in the South American nation. The delegation visited the Provinces of Argentina South (ARS), in Buenos Aires, and Argentina North (ARN), in Córdoba.

The mission, led by the Vice President of Don Bosco Tech Europe, Mario Toniutti, and promoted under the patronage of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, also included participation from the University of Udine. It featured a full schedule organized by the integrated mobility and housing platform “BTI,” which facilitated more than 20 meetings in just four days with institutions, universities, technical schools, and educational organizations. Among the most notable was a meeting with the Italian Ambassador to Buenos Aires, Fabrizio Nicoletti, along with discussions involving local institutions, vocational training centers, and Argentine schools and universities, both public and private (Catholic).

Within this context, DBTech Europe explored Argentina’s strong educational potential, particularly the depth and impact of the Salesian presence in technical and vocational education.

In Buenos Aires, the visit to the ARS Province began in a spirit of authentic Salesian fraternity, with a community gathering and dialogue with provincial leaders in youth ministry, vocational training, and planning and development. The meeting provided an opportunity to share challenges, experiences, and potential collaborative approaches to supporting young people in increasingly specialized educational pathways.

Especially meaningful were visits to the San Pedro center in the La Boca district and the Pio IX center. In complex urban settings, these centers clearly demonstrate the ongoing relevance of the charism of Don Bosco by offering education, skills, dignity, and real hope to young people and adults. In these environments, vocational training is not simply preparation for employment, but a pathway to holistic development, inclusion, and a future.

The visit to Córdoba then highlighted the vitality of the Argentine North Province. At the Villada Salesian Technical Institute, the strength of a technical school deeply connected to its local community was evident through its workshops, training programs, and initiatives designed to meet regional educational and workforce needs. The visit confirmed that the relationship between schools, vocational training, and the local community can serve as a powerful driver for youth development.

Equally impactful was the visit to the San Antonio de Padua center, located in a working-class neighborhood of Córdoba. Here, the Salesian presence is expressed through daily support: schooling, vocational training, youth outreach, adult education courses, and close engagement with families. It is a simple yet powerful presence that creates opportunities where educational and social needs are greatest.

Throughout the mission, a strong connection emerged between DBTech Europe and the Salesian communities in Argentina, grounded in a shared commitment to building educational bridges, promoting exchanges, strengthening technical skills, and guiding young people toward experiences that open new horizons.

The invitation from Confindustria Udine—following a dialogue that began in 2025 with the presentation of the Salesian Bearzi Institute and Vocational Training Center—represented not only an institutional and operational opportunity to present initiatives such as international scholarships and specialization programs, but also a meaningful Salesian experience: encountering vibrant communities, listening to local realities, recognizing talent, and envisioning new paths for educational collaboration between Italy and Argentina.

The mission once again confirmed that Salesian formation is a shared language capable of connecting continents. Wherever there are young people to accompany, skills to develop, and communities to support, the charism of Don Bosco continues to shape the future.