Development Organizations or NGOs have a responsibility to ensure that their staff or persons associated with their organization; its operations, and programmes do no harm to children or vulnerable adults, nor expose them to abuse or exploitation. This has never been truer than in present circumstances particularly in wake of recent events and the ongoing global pandemic due to COVID 19 which have brought focus to the important need for improved safeguarding policies and practice within humanitarian and development organizations.

Only by making safeguarding a priority will organizations in the Development Sector be able to effectively demonstrate the trust that communities expect from humanitarian and development workers. Caritas India too feels strongly and is committed to protect and promote the dignity of children and young people and therefore, takes its safeguarding very seriously as is also enshrined in its Safeguarding Policy.

Recognizing that safeguarding training is vital when working with vulnerable groups to ensure that all employees and associates carry out their duties knowledgeably and safely, a half-day virtual training on “Safeguarding in Development Organizations” was organized by Caritas India on 3^rd August 2021. This also coincided with the week’s observance of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (as commemorated on 30^th July every year) within CI. The program is targeted at familiarising partner staff as well as internal staff under its Global Program India and Pravasi Bandhu Program.

The 3 hrs. long training dealt with key issues such as concepts of Safeguarding & Protection, its elements in Program Management, recognizing cases of potential or real neglect in programs and implementation of safeguarding policy within development organizations. The program was a mix of interactive perspective building and informative sessions conducted by internal resource persons from the AHT & Migration, Child Development and HR units of CI with support from the Global Program India Team.

By providing such trainings, Caritas India hopes to ensure that staff and all its associates not only adhere to the safeguarding policy as required but more importantly recognize signs of neglect, abuse or risk and feel empowered to protect vulnerable people under their care.

The training session also had the gracious presence of Fr. Sushil Modi, Administrator, Caritas India who in his opening remarks succinctly captured the need for safeguarding training and its growing relevance in the development sector. The meeting concluded with a formal vote of thanks.