(MissionNewswire) The Don Bosco Foundation, which was founded Cordoba, Spain, more than 21 years ago, has won a commemorative award as part of the Andalucía Joven Awards, facilitated annually by the Andalusian Institute of Youth. The Don Bosco Foundation, which provides programs in Andalusia, the Canary Islands and Extremadura, plays an integral role in the development of young people in situations of risk or social exclusion.

The Andalucía Joven Awards give recognition to the paths taken by youth, groups, entities or institutions that stand out in their work throughout the year. These awards, which received more than 150 candidate applications from all over Andalusia, include prizes for categories such as entrepreneurship, art and culture, sport, science and innovation, social commitment, environment, and sustainable development.

Rocío Ruiz, councilor for equality, social policies and conciliation at the Andalusian Council, presented the awards on Dec.18 in a gala event held in the Gran Teatro in Huelva. Many Andalusian youth associations were represented at the event. Attendees enjoyed an artistic performance by youth from the Salesian Carabela Youth Association.

In a speech made at the event, Salesian Father Fernando Miranda, president of the Don Bosco Foundation and vicar of the Salesian Province of Spain, thanked the public and private institutions that support the foundation and all of the people who make the work possible, including more than 500 professionals and 200 volunteers.

In his statement, Fr. Miranda said, “Thanks above all to all the young people who make the foundation’s dream come true. A dream that is already many years old. It was born in the head of Don Bosco—of which we bear the name—and he dreamed of giving a better future to many children who were lying on the street at that time. We continue to encourage and accompany many young people so that they continue to dream and find a place in the midst of reality, in the world, in the place where they live.”

Salesian centers in Spain operate close to 50 vocational and technical training centers that employ 1,300 teachers and offer 17,000 students a chance to gain an education. All Salesian centers have the support of companies from a variety of business sectors to give students real-world work experience.

Close to 37 percent of young Spanish workers under the age of 25 are unemployed and a growing number of them can’t afford to buy enough food to live. Poor youth with few employable skills struggle the most to find and retain stable employment. Women in Spain face inequality in the workforce. They earn up to 14 percent less than men and represent only 34.5 percent of those listed as the highest earners in Spain.

Salesian missionaries have been working for many years to provide educational and workforce development opportunities for poor youth and women in Spain through residential and technical and vocational training programs.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Spain – “Fundación Don Bosco” awarded for efforts in favor of young people

Salesian Missions – Spain

World Bank – Spain