Recently all 49 Carmelites in Timor gathered at Hera for a training day about creating a safe and respectful environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults in our communities and ministries.

The day was begun by Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial) with a reflection drawn from the Scriptures, and Carmelite and Church documents.

The next two sessions were led by the Forum Tau Matan, a Timorese Safeguarding training group, on child protection awareness training.

Further sessions were led by Ms Mayra Walsh (Community Development Ministry Coordinator) and Fr David Hofman about responding to child protections issues, risk assessment and the Code of Conduct for Carmelites, employees and volunteers launched at the Provincial Assembly in Melbourne last year.

After some final revisions the Provincial Policy and Procedures for Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults will be formally adopted at the Provincial Chapter in June this year.