ROME, 3 JUNE 2025 – Tomorrow, Wednesday 4 June from 9.00 to 13.00, at the Institute of the Italian Encyclopedia (Piazza della Enciclopedia Italiana 4, Rome), the conference will be held to present the new circular cooperation project in Mali, promoted by the Don Bosco 2000 Association with the support of the Ministry of the Interior.
The initiative aims to tackle the structural causes of forced migration through the creation of sustainable agricultural micro-enterprises, vocational training for young people and employment pathways in rural areas of Mali. The project follows the model already successfully tested in Senegal and Gambia, which focuses on migrants as protagonists of development in the countries of origin.
Speakers will include, among others: Agostino Sella, president of Don Bosco 2000, Massimo Bray, Director General of Treccani, Chiara Impagliazzo (Ministry of the Interior), Carlo Colloca (University of Catania), Angela Caponnetto (Rai News), Stefano Arduini (Vita Magazine), Aly Traoré, head of the Mali desk, Gianni Vaggi (University of Pavia), Paolo Ciani, MP and numerous
African partners directly involved.
The day’s program is divided into: presentation of the project, testimonies from the territories. This will be followed by a round table on Migration, Cooperation and Development and an in-depth study of the Salesian experience in cooperation.
The project involves the involvement of 150 young Malians, the activation of innovative gardens in aquaponics, poultry farms, local internships, and training in Italy through legal work corridors, with a transversal focus on gender policies.

“Transforming migration from an emergency into a resource: this is the vision of Cooperation
A circular that tomorrow we will bring to the attention of the institutions and public opinion” – declares Agostino Sella, president of Don Bosco 2000.

Press Office