The protection of minors and vulnerable persons is an integral part of the Gospel message that the Church and all her members are called to spread throughout the world.
We all have a duty to welcome minors and vulnerable persons with generosity and to provide them with a safe environment, with special attention to protecting their interests, dignity and physical, psychological and moral integrity.
As the promoter of the WCD initiative, the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, the Organising Committee of World Children’s Day and Be Human ETS, devote special attention to preventing and combating all forms of abuse, violence or exploitation of minors and vulnerable persons.
Therefore, during the World Children’s Day, the following is required:
• a respectful, vigilant community, fully aware of the rights and needs of minors and vulnerable persons, attentive to preventing all forms of physical or psychological violence or abuse, abandonment, neglect, mistreatment or exploitation, which may occur both in interpersonal relationships and in organisational, logistical and reception contexts;
• all participants, in whatever capacity they are involved in the event (accompanying persons, volunteers, staff, operators, suppliers), must be aware of their duty to promptly report any situations of abuse or risk to the competent authorities, and to cooperate with them in prevention and enforcement activities;
• any abuse or mistreatment of minors or vulnerable persons is to be duly prosecuted in accordance with the law.
To this end, the legislation on the protection of minors and vulnerable persons in force in the participants’ countries of origin, in Italy and, where applicable, in the Vatican City State, is to be referred to.
Measures to protect and safeguard minors and vulnerable persons also include paying special attention to the confidentiality and protection of information and data concerning them.
All activities related to the participation of minors in World Children’s Day – including registration, reception, accommodation, logistics, assistance and communication – must be carried out fully respecting the dignity, confidentiality and protection of the personal information of minors, preventing any misuse, unauthorised disclosure or undue dissemination.
Information requiring enhanced protection includes, but is not limited to:
• the identification data of minors and their respective parents;
• information relating to their health, dietary or care needs;
• images, videos and any other content that would allow them to be identified either directly or indirectly.
The collection and use of such information is permitted only to the extent necessary to ensure the safety of minors, the organisation of the event and the proper implementation of the planned activities, according to criteria of necessity, proportionality and care, consistent with the aim of protecting minors.
All ecclesiastical entities, dioceses, parishes, associations, movements, religious orders and organised groups participating in World Children’s Day are required to be vigilant and actively engage in protecting minors and vulnerable persons.
In particular, they must contact the competent diocesan services for the protection of minors in their respective dioceses of origin in order to:
• ensure compliance with current legislation on the protection of minors against exploitation and abuse;
• implement all procedures and preventive measures provided for by the relevant systems and practices.
The adult accompanying the minors is required to pay the utmost attention to compliance with regulations and procedures for the protection of minors and vulnerable persons.
He/she will be held liable under civil and criminal law for the minors entrusted to his/her care.
Consequently, by participating in World Children’s Day, the accompanying adult declares that he/she:
• has read this notice and fully agrees with its contents and the aims of protecting minors and vulnerable persons;
• is fully aware of the personal responsibilities associated with the role of accompanying minors, which he/she will carry out individually and exclusively, from a civil, criminal and organisational perspective;
• undertakes to protect the confidentiality and security of information and data relating to the minors entrusted to his/her responsibility, preventing any unauthorised dissemination of data, images, videos or content concerning the minors, including through digital tools, messaging systems, social networks or other communication channels;
• takes full responsibility in this regard and understands that the promoters and organisers of the event – the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, the Organising Committee of World Children’s Day and the entity responsible for operational management – do not exercise direct supervision over minors or information relating to them, which remains the responsibility of the accompanying person and the competent authorities.
