We are pleased to announce the formation of two new committees to strengthen our actions in favor of the protection and well-being of the most vulnerable people. The detailed tasks of the committees and their members are permanently visible in a section of the website.

Ethics Committee

The Ethics Committee aims to ensure that Cáritas' activities in the region are aligned with ethical and safeguarding principles. The committee will oversee and manage cases related to ethics and protection, promoting a culture of integrity and responsibility, evaluating cases and articulating the response with National Caritas and Episcopal Conferences.

As read in the terms of reference, the committee will be responsible for managing safeguarding cases, guaranteeing the protection of vulnerable people and the integrity of the organization. It will accompany the investigations of experts in specific cases and issue recommendations to improve existing policies and procedures.

Among the functions of the committee are the reception and evaluation of cases, with their subsequent processing; support of investigations in the region, recommendations and advice.

Members will be appointed for an initial period of 2 years, with the possibility of renewal. The committee is made up of Mons. Gustavo Rodríguez Vega (president of Cáritas LAC); Nicolás Meyer (regional coordinator of Cáritas LAC); Monsignor Daniel Blanco (Costa Rica); Hyde Constantine Felix (Antilles); Fr. Martín Cabrera (Argentina); Alicia Guerrero (Guatemala) and Ana Mercedes Arias (Colombia).

Safeguarding Committee

The Safeguarding Committee aims to ensure that all our operations are carried out under the highest standards of integrity and responsibility, ensuring a safe and ethical environment within member organizations in the region.

The Safeguarding Committee will be made up of safeguarding and protection experts, whose experiences and knowledge are key to implementing effective safeguarding policies and processes. The composition of the committee, which includes representation from the region, reflects Cáritas' commitment to ensuring the application of best practices in the prevention of exploitation and abuse, as well as strengthening the culture of care in all our actions.

The work of the Committee is essential for the promotion of a safe and protective environment in all our activities, aligning with our campaign I I commit myself, likewise, to the international guidelines and social teachings of the Church. Through their work, we seek to promote organizational integrity, train national Cáritas, and ensure that each member of our network acts with the greatest commitment to human dignity and the common good.

Safeguarding is a priority aspect for Cáritas, and the committees will be a key piece in achieving our objectives, promoting a comprehensive approach that protects the most vulnerable and guarantees ethics in all our actions.

The Safeguard Committee is made up of Mons. Gustavo Rodríguez Vega (president of Cáritas LAC); Nicolás Meyer (regional coordinator of Cáritas LAC), Monsignor Daniel Blanco (Costa Rica); Hyde Constantine Felix (Antilles); Fr. Martín Cabrera (Argentina); Ana Mercedes Arias (Colombia); Marcus Túlio Oliveira Neto (Brazil); Verónica Alcántara (Mexico); Rosario Letelier (Chile); Fanny Serpa (Peru) and Ana Laura Vulcano (Argentina).

Committed to maintaining a safe environment and protecting the dignity of all the people we work with, we make our Safeguarding email available to you. For any related queries or complaints, please contact us at proteccion.salvaguardia@caritaslatinoamerica.org.