From August 18 to 22, a regional meeting was held in Brasilia that brought together representatives of Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean in a space for training, reflection and spirituality, framed in the regional safeguarding strategy and culture of good treatment and in the #ICompromise campaign. Members of the Communications and Livelihoods and Food Security (MVSA) teams were present.

The meeting was attended by representatives of 17 national Cáritas of the region (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic and Uruguay), together with the team of the Regional Secretariat of Cáritas LAC.

Safeguarding as a pillar of the mission

For four days, participants shared moments of prayer, practical workshops and spaces for dialogue that allowed them to integrate spirituality with the mission of safeguarding, remembering that this is not just a protocol, but a way of living charity in community. With simple symbols such as water and candles, the call to be sowers of care was renewed, weaving trust and commitment from each role.

The meeting included sessions on acting in safeguarding crisis situations, the role of committees and focal points, ethical communication in sensitive scenarios, as well as the importance of having clear protocols and safe reporting channels. In addition, regional advances in the Cáritas Internationalis (EGCI) Management Standards were addressed, highlighting that 19 of the 21 national Cáritas are already in the stage of Improvement Plans, which reflects a solid process of institutional strengthening. generating shared learning that reinforces the network identity. The exchange between national teams showed how safeguarding, transparent management and the social mission of Cáritas converge on a common path towards a safer, more coherent and protective Church.

This meeting was possible thanks to the support of strategic allies such as Porticus and the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, who accompany and support this process convinced that safeguarding and the culture of good treatment are inalienable pillars of the ecclesial mission.

At the conclusion, the participants strongly reaffirmed their collective commitment saying together: #ICompromime, as a living sign of a Church that protects, cares for and dignifies life, and that in Latin America and the Caribbean moves decisively forward in the construction of a culture of safeguarding and good treatment.

Transforming debts into hope

Gabriela Blanco, from Cáritas Argentina and regional reference for Livelihoods and Food Security (MVSA), comments on the specific agenda of her team, highlighting the participation of fifteen national Cáritas under the motto “Transforming debts into hope”.

It was a space to strengthen capacities in safeguarding, political advocacy and promotion of a fair economy oriented to comprehensive human development, in addition to sharing national experiences on how our programs face ecological, social and economic debts, where community responses such as agroecology and the popular and solidarity economy were made visible.

Gabriela also highlights that the participation and organization of Cáritas LAC in the V Latin American and Caribbean Congress of the Economy of Francisco, held on August 21 and 22, consolidated our voice, while the commitments assumed towards COP30 project the MVSA team as an actor in the construction of a fair and supportive economy for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Communication as a bridge

On the other hand, María Eva Lobo, from Cáritas Venezuela and regional reference for Communication, emphasized the initial dynamics of the team's specific activities. “We began with a recognition exercise, where each participant could see themselves not only as a communication professional, but as a human being with their own interests, concerns and a life in common, who is integrated and part of the Cáritas family.” This activity was crucial, especially since almost half of the new communicators joined the team.

“This space shows that communication in Cáritas is more than a tool; it is a bridge that unites, educates and mobilizes, always from the heart and with a deep sense of belonging to a common mission,” Lobo stressed.

A particularly significant moment was the experience of approaching the territory, where participants were able to share first-hand with the communities. This experience not only reinforced the commitment of the communicators with the mission of Cáritas, but was also the framework for the launch of Francisco's V Economic Congress, with a view to promoting a more just and sustainable economy, inspired by the values ​​of the Universal Church.

(Photos: Álvaro López - Cáritas Bolívia; Paul Lamiña - Cáritas Ecuador; Tatiana Melo - Cáritas Colombia)