With 34 academic papers presented across eight sessions, the gathering examined issues of sustainability, worker dignity, fair trade, alternative livelihoods, and climate resilience. Particular emphasis was placed on empowering tea garden families through fair wages, education, and responsible industry reform.
For Salesian College, the conference was not merely an academic exercise but an expression of its Salesian educational mission. Rooted in Don Bosco’s charism of integral human development, the institution continues to combine higher education with concrete social outreach. Since 1963, students have conducted regular Sunday programs in 24 remote tea gardens, accompanying children and families through educational support, youth animation, and community initiatives.
By convening diverse stakeholders, Salesian College positioned itself as a platform for dialogue and advocacy in the Himalayan region. The conference concluded with a call for collective stewardship of Darjeeling’s heritage economy and a proposal to make the international gathering an annual initiative, strengthening the College’s mission of education, social justice, and sustainable development.
