International Safeguarding Conference 2026
A global conference exploring safeguarding across cultures through dialogue, learning and shared practice.
The International Safeguarding Conference 2026 will take place from 16–19 June 2026 at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, under the theme: One Commitment, Many Contexts: Safeguarding Across Cultures.
The conference brings together academics, safeguarding practitioners, religious leaders, educators and advocates from around the world to promote learning and networking, and to foster dialogue on safeguarding through the lens of interculturality. This shared dialogue supports participants in developing more effective ways of responding across diverse cultural and social contexts, particularly within communities with significant migrant populations.
This year introduces a more interactive structure, combining practical application with corresponding theoretical reflection. Online working groups from different regions will contribute to the programme, supported for the first time by the IADC Blended Learning app, enabling participants to share materials such as photos, symbols and reflections from their local safeguarding contexts.
The programme is underpinned by the core safeguarding principles of transparency, accountability and compliance, explored through shared reflection, intercultural exchange and collaborative learning. Working groups will continue these conversations during the conference, supported by expert academic input. The final day will include the Safeguarding Research Lab, featuring a range of research presentations and posters on safeguarding topics.
Support is available for participants from disadvantaged regions, particularly women religious, including possible registration fee waivers and travel or accommodation subsidies (subject to criteria).
Main conference sessions will also be live-streamed free of charge via YouTube and made available on the conference website.
For further information, including registration details, please visit:
👉 www.thesafeguardingconference.org or contact: info@saferchurch.org
Call for Papers: the Centre for Catholic Studies third Lived Catholicism Online Conference
Papers are invited for the 2025 Lived Catholicism Conference, focusing on synodality, possibilities, and tensions
The third Lived Catholicism Conference will take place online on 2–3 December 2025, exploring the theme: “The Church’s ordinary way: synodality, possibilities and tensions.” Building on the conversations of the first two conferences, this year’s gathering will invite papers and presentations from across disciplines and contexts worldwide, with a particular focus on lived experiences of synodality and its challenges and opportunities.
See full Call for Papers details below.
If you wish to propose a 15 minute paper or a 5 minute presentation, please complete the form here by 1st October. The programme will be confirmed by mid October.
CCS Boundary Breaking Research Project
The Centre for Catholic Studies' (CCS) Boundary Breaking research project explored the ecclesial and cultural implications of the child abuse crisis in the Catholic Church in England and Wales
The Centre for Catholic Studies' (CCS) Boundary Breaking research project explored the ecclesial and cultural implications of the child abuse crisis in the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
The research took place from 2019-2023.
The Cross of the Moment
The main research report based on the qualitative work was published in April 2024, titled The Cross of the Moment. A supplementary, quantitative report, Attitudes of Catholics in England and Wales towards Child Sex Abuse in the Catholic Church, was published in October 2024 to accompany the main report.
Find out more: https://www.durham.ac.uk/ccs-boundary-breaking
You can download the digital versions of the reports below. The main report can be downloaded either in the complete version or in separate chapters.
Alternatively, you can request printed copies of the reports by clicking here.