We just concluded the last of a series of five National Roundtable Discussions on Nurturing Values and Spirituality in Early Childhood for the Prevention of Violence. This one took place in Brasilia and brought together more than 70 participants from several religious communities, including the , experts on early childhood and child protection coming from civil society and faith-based organisations as well as government representatives.

The discussion highlighted the magnitude of violence in early childhood in the country, including issues of discrimination against several groups of the population, highly affecting children; the social and cultural norms that condone violence, particularly gender-based violence and against minority groups. Religious leaders discussed the need for interpretations of religion to be gender-sensitive and to challenge the punitive culture that is reflected in corporal punishment against the child; and encouraging religious interpretations that support living together rather than pulling us apart.

Participants discussed the impact of violence in the child brain development and her/his identity formation, as well as the role of spirituality in supporting children's resilience and strengthening their development, as well as the critical need for parents and caregivers to develop their own spirituality. Panelists spoke about seeing children as subjects and not as objects and to be placed in the center of all policies. Participants were also introduced to INSPIRE - Seven Strategies to End Violence against Children - and discussed how those can help early childhood development.

The Roundtable discussion concluded with the strong call to bring this dialogue to their communities and the suggestion to join hands in action for the 20th of November - Day of Prayer and Action for Children.

Special thanks to Visão Mundial Brazil for the leadership in organising the roundtable and to Pastoral da Criança and Gnrc Brasil for their support.

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More than 700 children from West Kenya are expected to be reached by the Learning to Live Together Programme after Sixty-four teachers from the counties of Baringo and Elgeyo-Marakwet participated in a 4-day Facilitator Training Workshop on the use of the Programme.

Click on the link below to learn more.

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In an increasingly globalized world, where the religious landscape is constantly evolving, discussing the right of the child to self-determination in religious beliefs and the extent of the role of the parents and caregivers in guiding them has become an urgent issue.

Check out the link below to learn more.

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Several religious leaders and representatives from Permanent Missions to the United Nations Office in Geneva and faith-inspired organizations gathered at a conference titled Promoting Peace Together on May 21, 2019, to reflect on the importance of education for peace and interfaith dialogue.

Learn more about these discussions, in the link below:

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