DonBoscoASIA

The Association of the Salesian Cooperators (ASC) is a branch of the Salesian Family. It was founded by Saint John Bosco in 1876 with lay people. The ideal of Don Bosco was to create a group of persons able to follow his ideal in the education of the young people, especially the poorest. Don Bosco thought the Association of a kind of Salesian that was not a religious as the priests, lay brothers or sisters, but live in the world the same commitment for the Salesian mission.

The Salesian Cooperator is a lay person who lives his faith. He or she is inspired in the apostolic project of Don Bosco, who dedicated his life to the salvation of the young people, especially those who live in poverty or at risk. 

As for 2005, there were 26,703 persons inscribed as Salesian Cooperators in 131 countries. The Association belongs to the Salesian Family and it is one of the three main branches created directly by Don Bosco. The other two are the Society of Saint Francis of Sales (known as Salesians of Don Bosco that is a religious group of lay brothers, priests and bishops) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (known as the Salesian Sisters.) 

The General Superior of the ASC is the Rector Major of the Salesians. He is at the top of the World Council of the Association. 

As for 2010 the World Council included the following positions:

1. Don Pascual Chávez Villanueva, SDB, Rector Mayor of the Salesians of Don Bosco since 2002.
2. Don Adriano Bregolin, SDB, Vicar of the Rector Major and Councilor for the Salesian Family.
3. Mr. Rosario Maiorano, World Coordinator of ASC.
4. Mr. Noemi Bertona, General Secretary.
5. Mr. Giorgio Signori, General Administrator.
6. Don Stjepan Bolkova, SDB, World Delegate.
7. Sor Maria Trigila, FMA, World Delegate.
8. Ms. Chantal Ngoy Kamangamanga, Councilor for Africa and Madagascar.
9. Ms. Ramona Felisa Salinas, Councilor for Latin America's South Cone.
10. Mr. Juan Carlos Escobar, Councilor for East Asia and Oceania.
11. Mr. Francis Karimtolil Varghese, Councilor for South Asia.
12. Mr. Lincoln Cesar Melo Godoeng Costa, Councilor for Brazil.
13. Ms. Helena Jankowska, Councilor for Central and East Europe.
14. Ms. Marie José Kandel, Councilor Central and West Europe.
15. Mr. Antonio Marzo Moral, Councilor Iberian Peninsula.
16. Mr. Herman López Castro, Councilor Inter-America.
17. Mr. Ivo Borri, Councilor Middle East and Malta.
18. Mr. Pablo Cornelio Farfan Pacheco, Pacific Region and South Caribbean Region.