Safeguarding Community of Practice
Safeguarding Community of Practice for the African Church
Sharing Knowledge. Strengthening Protection. Advancing Collective Action.
Three areas of work
Resources. Reflection. Action.
- A shared resource hub and MEL capacity building
- Cultural and theological reflection
- Collective action and advocacy
About the Safeguarding Community of Practice
“The Community of Practice for the African Church is a platform whose goal is to generate robust support and leadership by the Church in upholding the values of sanctity of human life and dignity for children and vulnerable adults in Africa.”
The Community of Practice brings safeguarding stakeholders together to exchange knowledge, share experiences, strengthen professional learning, and support collective efforts to promote the protection of children and vulnerable adults in the Catholic Church in Africa.
Our Vision
To create and sustain a knowledge-sharing platform for the purposes of promoting best practices, generating new learning, producing resources, and advancing thought leadership, advocacy, and collective action on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the Catholic Church in Africa.
Our Three Core Areas of Work
The Community of Practice pursues its objectives through three interconnected areas of work designed to strengthen learning, reflection, and collective safeguarding action across the African Church.
01
Building a Shared Safeguarding Resource Hub
Developing a collaborative resource hub that enables members to exchange knowledge, share practical tools, learn from experience, and strengthen their capacity to contribute to safeguarding practice across the region.
- Sharing learning and experiences
- Sharing safeguarding documents and tools
- Investing in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) capacity
- Supporting collective data collection relating to the Church’s child protection and safeguarding work in the region
02
Developing an African Church Safeguarding Narrative
Creating space for cultural and theological reflection and encouraging the development of an African Church narrative on child protection and safeguarding.
- Encouraging culturally informed safeguarding reflection
- Supporting theological engagement with safeguarding responsibilities
- Facilitating the exchange of perspectives and experiences
- Contributing to context-sensitive understanding and practice
03
Working Together for Safeguarding
Identifying opportunities for collective action and advocacy to support the protection of children and vulnerable adults within the Catholic Church in Africa.
- Identifying shared safeguarding priorities
- Encouraging collaboration among relevant stakeholders
- Supporting collective advocacy where appropriate
- Promoting shared responsibility for safeguarding
Learning Together, Strengthening Safeguarding
A strong safeguarding community grows through the exchange of experiences, shared learning, practical resources, and thoughtful dialogue. The Community of Practice provides a platform through which relevant stakeholders can contribute knowledge and support collective learning around safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
Share Experiences
Encourage the exchange of relevant professional insights and lessons learned.
Access and Share Resources
Support the circulation of useful documents, tools, and learning materials where available.
Strengthen Collective Learning
Encourage knowledge sharing that contributes to improved safeguarding understanding and practice.
Strengthening Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
The Community of Practice identifies capacity building in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) as an important part of its resource-hub work. This includes supporting members to strengthen collective data collection relating to the Church’s child protection and safeguarding work in the region.
Supporting highlights
- Building member capacity in MEL
- Encouraging structured learning and reflection
- Supporting collective data collection
- Contributing to shared understanding of safeguarding work across the region
An African Church narrative on child/vulnerable adult protection and safeguarding
Grounding Safeguarding in African Contexts
Safeguarding practice benefits from thoughtful engagement with the cultural and theological contexts in which people live, learn, worship, and serve. The Community of Practice seeks to create space for cultural and theological reflection and for the development of an African Church narrative on child protection and safeguarding.
Advancing Safeguarding Through Collective Action
Protecting children and vulnerable adults requires shared responsibility, informed engagement, and collaboration. The Community of Practice identifies opportunities for collective action and advocacy as part of its commitment to strengthening safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Africa.
Every contribution to shared learning, dialogue, and responsible collaboration can help strengthen the collective commitment to safeguarding.
Be Part of a Shared Commitment to Protection
Whether you are exploring safeguarding resources, contributing professional experience, or seeking opportunities for shared learning, the Community of Practice invites relevant stakeholders to engage with the wider safeguarding conversation.
Together, we can strengthen knowledge sharing, promote good practice, and support collective action to protect children and vulnerable adults in the Catholic Church in Africa.
Together for the Dignity and Protection of Every Person
Through knowledge sharing, cultural and theological reflection, capacity building, advocacy, and collective action, the Community of Practice seeks to strengthen safeguarding efforts for children and vulnerable adults across the Catholic Church in Africa.