Workshop on the protection of the rights of children and young people

The Institute of the Marist Brothers has just completed an 8-day workshop on ‘Safeguarding Children and Young People’ (Rome, March 21-28).  In attendance were the provincials from around the Marist world, along with their province safeguarding delegate.  In all, there were nearly 80 people in attendance.  The workshop exceeded the expectations of the organizers and many of those participating were deeply moved by the personal testimonies from some of the presenters.

Among the list of presenters was Br Jim Jolley from FMSI who placed the workshop within the context of the Convention of the Rights of the Child and children’s right to be protected from all forms of harm and abuse.  Other keynote speakers were Br John Klein, Br Brendan Geary, Marie Collins, Joanne Marie Greer, Fr Barry O’Sullivan, Br Alexis Turton and Br Juan Miguel Anaya. 

By the end of the conference the participants had begun considering how to develop a plan of action to take back to their provinces that will promote the protection of children and young people within their own ministries.