The 2026 International Safeguarding Conference, held from 16 to 19 June at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome under the theme One Commitment, Many Contexts: Safeguarding Across Cultures, brought together researchers, practitioners, Church leaders and safeguarding professionals from around the world to strengthen international cooperation in preventing abuse and protecting children and vulnerable adults.
Across keynote lectures, research presentations and interdisciplinary discussions, participants highlighted the importance of evidence based safeguarding policies, survivor centred approaches and cross cultural collaboration. The conference reflected a growing international consensus that effective safeguarding requires listening to victims, and embedding prevention within institutions and communities.
The conference’s focus closely aligns with the priorities repeatedly expressed by Pope Leo XIV. Since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has emphasised that protecting minors and vulnerable people is an essential responsibility of the Church. He has also insisted that the experiences and voices of victims and survivors must remain central to institutional reform. His message has consistently underlined that the Church must stand with victims, pursue truth, and foster environments where abuse is prevented and survivors are heard.
As safeguarding continues to evolve internationally, ISC 2026 demonstrated that collaboration across disciplines, cultures and institutions remains essential to ensuring that the protection of children and vulnerable adults is translated into concrete action worldwide. The conference reaffirmed that safeguarding is a shared responsibility that transcends national, cultural and institutional boundaries, requiring sustained commitment from both civil society and faith based organisations.
