Religious consultation on ending violence against children

-07/05/06

A global consulta


Religious consultation on ending violence against children

-07/05/06

A global consultation looking at how to mobilize religious communities to address and combat violence against children will be held in Toledo, Spain, from 9-11 May 2006.

The meeting is co-sponsored by the World Conference on Religion and Peace and the United Nations children’s agency, UNICEF. The meeting will bring together 50 religious representatives and experts, and is part of the UN study on violence against children.

According to a report by The Christian Pulse, a newsletter of All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), the meeting will develop key messages and action commitments for religious communities to use in addressing violence against children.

The aim is to assist religious communities in developing practical programmes and mounting advocacy campaigns through continuing collaboration between UNICEF and global faith communities.

In countries such as Brazil, the kidnapping, murder and mistreatment of children on the city streets has become a major concern.

The meeting is expected to produce a draft declaration to ensure effective religious and geographic representation while harnessing ìall of the rich experience and commitment that religious communities have for the care and protection of children.î

However, there are also serious issues to address about religion and the mistreatment of children. In particular, the Catholic Church remains embroiled in arguments about priests involved in exploitative sexual mistreatment of minors and how to root out abuse.


Religious consultation on ending violence against children

-07/05/06

A global consultation looking at how to mobilize religious communities to address and combat violence against children will be held in Toledo, Spain, from 9-11 May 2006.

The meeting is co-sponsored by the World Conference on Religion and Peace and the United Nations children’s agency, UNICEF. The meeting will bring together 50 religious representatives and experts, and is part of the UN study on violence against children.

According to a report by The Christian Pulse, a newsletter of All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), the meeting will develop key messages and action commitments for religious communities to use in addressing violence against children.

The aim is to assist religious communities in developing practical programmes and mounting advocacy campaigns through continuing collaboration between UNICEF and global faith communities.

In countries such as Brazil, the kidnapping, murder and mistreatment of children on the city streets has become a major concern.

The meeting is expected to produce a draft declaration to ensure effective religious and geographic representation while harnessing ìall of the rich experience and commitment that religious communities have for the care and protection of children.î

However, there are also serious issues to address about religion and the mistreatment of children. In particular, the Catholic Church remains embroiled in arguments about priests involved in exploitative sexual mistreatment of minors and how to root out abuse.