IMBISA is set to host a regional meeting from February 26th to March 1st, 2024, in Pretoria, South Africa. The meeting, themed “Promoting Safeguarding in the Church: A Forum for Dialogue and Exchange in Southern Africa,” will bring together representatives from the region’s six Episcopal Conferences, including Bishops, secretaries-general, and those responsible for safeguarding children and vulnerable people at both the Conference and national levels.
The primary goal of this meeting is to facilitate dialogue, exchange ideas, and provide essential training to strengthen safeguarding practices within the Church. The specific objectives of the event include:
- Promoting a greater understanding and awareness of safeguarding issues and best practices among Church leaders and workers.
- Seeking enhanced collaboration and coordination among stakeholders involved in safeguarding efforts.
- Providing better capacity to effectively respond to and prevent cases of abuse or neglect within the Church.
- Developing concrete action plans and strategies to raise safeguarding standards within the Church in the IMBISA region.
Through dialogue, knowledge exchange, and capacity development, the initiative seeks to instill a culture of vigilance and care in the Church, aligning with its commitment to protect and support those most in need. IMBISA aspires to create an informed region free from abuse.