The Congregational Leadership Team invited the members of the Congregational Safeguarding Team and the Congregational Safeguarding Committee to join them from March 11 to 13 for a gathering to participate in the sharing of hopes, dreams, and desires for the safeguarding journey.

The participants were called upon to form and build stronger relationships, agree on common values to guide the work of safeguarding, discuss a unified vision for safeguarding, understand deeper their roles and responsibilities, and work on a strategic pathway to achieve the congregational safeguarding vision.

It was the first time many of them met in person, having worked for the past two years mainly through the platform of Zoom. They got to know each other better and had many fruitful moments sharing safeguarding knowledge and expertise.

All present agreed that it was a great opportunity to meet to deliberate on this very important topic of safeguarding which permeates all that we do as sisters and patterns-in-mission as we serve those we encounter daily.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
ensure justice for those being crushed.
Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
and see that they get justice. (Proverbs 31: 8-9)

Following these networking meetings, the annual meeting of the Safeguarding Team was held over four days. They were fortunate that Tina Campbell from Scotland could join them for the first day, where – among other topics – they discussed the spirituality of safeguarding, spiritual abuse, low-level concerns, and case studies.

They reviewed their work and shared learning of the past year and spent time planning for the months ahead as well as drafting a two-year action plan and budget. Among their valuable work, they reviewed and developed more supporting templates and guidance, began work on a standard operation procedure for communication, and identified what countries are the priority for support over the coming months.

In April, Training Facilitator Samar Abou Assaly, Safeguarding Coordinator Sr. Jane Nway and Safeguarding Advisor Sandra Neville will welcome to Rome participants from Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Canada to attend a Safeguarding Refresher and Case Management Workshop they will facilitate for the French-speaking countries.

If you have a safeguarding concern, please contact the Unit Safeguarding Focal Person or you can send an email to safeguarding@gssweb.org