The protection of children, young people and adults from violence, abuse and exploitation is a top priority for KOLPING INTERNATIONAL worldwide. The national associations are in the process of developing and implementing Safeguarding policies to make KOLPING a safe place for everyone. Training courses, risk assessments and the development of binding guidelines raise awareness of the issue and help to embed Safeguarding structures in a sustainable manner.
India: KOLPING India has launched a comprehensive participatory process to develop a national Safeguarding policy. On 26 and 27 June 2026, coordinators from various regions of the country took part in a two-day workshop at the Adolph Kolping Resource Centre in Kancheepuram.
The workshop focused on the fundamentals of Safeguarding, the identification of particularly vulnerable groups, various forms of abuse, and reporting and protection mechanisms. The participatory approach of the workshop is particularly noteworthy: through group work, participants analysed risks in their working environment and identified vulnerable individuals and groups within KOLPING’s work. The workshop marks the start of a comprehensive consultation process. Further training sessions for members of the diocesan associations and the diocesan directors will take place in early September. By involving those responsible at all levels, the aim is to develop the policy in a practical manner and to embed it firmly throughout the Association. The process is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.
Rwanda: KOLPING Rwanda is also working intensively to expand its Safeguarding structures. A workshop led by Safeguarding Officer Sigrid Stapel with the team from the National Association in Ruyenzi (near Kigali) focused on protection against sexual violence and exploitation, as well as child protection. Together, they drew up a risk analysis for the various areas of work and worked on further developing the Safeguarding guidelines. The participants developed concrete approaches to strengthen Safeguarding mechanisms and further promote a culture of mindfulness and responsibility.
In this way, awareness is growing within KOLPING associations worldwide that Safeguarding is a shared responsibility and that effective protection can only be achieved where respect, attentiveness and responsibility are firmly embedded in the life of the Association.
