Highlights of an International Conference attended by our College’s Safeguarding Team

From Tuesday 1^st March – Friday 4^th March, our College’s Safeguarding team attended the international conference Protecting the minors in our schools – preventing & responding to sexualized violence, organised in cooperation with JECSE (Jesuit European Committee for Primary & Secondary Education) & ZIP (Centre for Ignatian Pedagogy). It was held in Ludwigshafen (Germany), and was attended by educators working in Jesuit schools from 23 different countries – Albania, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Malta and Spain – together with other countries who joined online.

The team shared some daily highlights of this interesting event:

Tuesday evening
After the opening of the conference and words of greetings, the Irish presented the ‘Irish Perspective’, followed by the Spanish hopeful and powerful intervention ‘Let there be light”, with a conclusion for the evening from the Germans: “The year 2010 and the German ‘story’”.

Wednesday
An interesting talk regarding the ‘Risks of asymmetric relationships” followed by an online session on “Sexual abuse: an issue of our whole society” together with a session on “Spiritual abuse: theological implications”

After lunch, the participants visited Speyer Cathedral which is considered to be the world’s largest and most significant Romanesque church, constructed between the year 1030 – 1124.  After an interesting tour around the cathedral & crypt, Ash Wednesday Mass was celebrated.

Thursday
Turned out to be another very interesting and reflective day.  Presentations included “Sexual abuse & my institution”, “First conditions for responding – Justice and Prevention” followed by group sharing and workshops.

Friday
An uplifting session regarding “Promoting a Consistent Culture of Protection in the Society of Jesus – a global and European perspective” followed by the Spaniards presenting “HORIZON+  –  Transforming themselves to transform.  Becoming ‘4C’ citizens for a better society”.

Together with the morning prayers, meditations, reflections and examen, which added spice to such an enriching experience, this international conference turned out to be an uplifting experience of hope towards a safe environment within our College

Interesting points to reflect on: 

• An attitude to change – to change the culture by being Awake, Aware and ready to take Action by being Available.
• Sexual abuse and all other types of abuse are issues of our whole society – from family, relatives, schools, sports clubs, recreational activities, online to social media.
• Victims and Survivors need sensitive and informed people to talk to, who understand them, who keep calm, who pay attention and intervene, who care even after it is over.
• There has to be a presence of deep respect in our College – we do not do Safeguarding FOR our students but WITH our students. We are committed to work on prevention and action to ensure that the silence is broken and our students are safeguarded at all times.
• We believe that the well being of our students is of paramount importance. Our College has to be a place where all students including the vulnerable students can develop their full potential and flourish.
• As Ignatian educators we are invited to promote a culture of care, integrity, listening, wellbeing, and joy. All these ingredients create ‘happy schools’ – a happy College!    

Thank you and well done to our colleagues Suzanne Pace,  Suzanne Mohnani, and Helena Sammut!

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