The Center for Child Dignity at UCU participated in a conference on child protection within the Catholic Church in Rome.

On November 13-15, the conference “Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Europe” was held in Rome. Representatives of 25 European countries came together to share good practices that prevent abuse of minors and vulnerable people.

The head of UCU's Child Dignity Center, Khrystyna Shabat, and the head of projects and programs, Ivanka Rudakevych, took part in the conference. It was organized by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, Tutela Minorum. The topics discussed at the event were preventing the root causes of abuse and ensuring effective and sustainable action to protect victims.

Khrystyna Shabat spoke about how art can create protection for children in the church and promote dialogue between the church and society, and introduced the participants to the international art project initiated by the UCU Child Dignity Center, “SAFEGUARDING. Child Safety in the Church Environment”. It includes an online drawing course for clergy, religious and laity, as well as an exhibition-installation for public display.

The course is freely available and can be taken by anyone who has a vocation: https://www.ucu-edu.online/safeguarding/.

Pope Francis sent a letter to the conference participants expressing his hope that the conference would create a network of “people and good practices” aimed at sharing information and supporting each other in efforts to ensure effective and sustainable programs for the protection of minors. He encouraged participants to create initiatives that “provide solace and assistance to those who have suffered, as a sign of the Church's concern for justice, healing and reconciliation.”