Building Hope and Resilience: The Dynamics of Cultural Change and Transformation in Child Safeguarding

Lifting Up Voices from the Classroom and the Pew

February 27, 2023
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. EST
Location: Berkley Center 3rd Floor Conference Room Map

Global estimates indicate that up to one billion children under the age of 18 experience physical, sexual, or emotional violence each year. This epidemic of violence does not occur only in conflict settings far away, it happens in our neighborhoods, faith communities, and educational settings. Violence against children has lifelong impacts on the health and well-being of children, families, communities—and even nations. In the midst of this overwhelming reality, the good news is that violence against children can be prevented.

In this panel discussion, students and faculty at Georgetown University and various experts from the greater Washington area gathered to consider steps that individuals, families, faith-based communities, and educational institutions can take to promote safety, safeguarding, healing, and hope for children and survivors of violence. The discussion grounded the goals of the United Nations resolution establishing a World Day for the Prevention and Healing of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence in our everyday, local context. While many faith-based institutions, schools, and universities have safeguarding policies in place, panelists considered what else we can do to effect sustainable, transformational cultural change. The conversation also focused on what we can learn from those who’ve experienced violence, including the support required to heal and even flourish. Lunch was served.

This event was co-sponsored by the Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues; Walsh School of Foreign Service; Center for Child and Human Development; Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching and Service; Office of Mission and Ministry; Global Human Development Program; Global Health Institute; Global Culture of Safeguarding, Georgetown University; and Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University. It was part of the Children in a World of Challenges Workshop series.

Public Health Measures: In order to comply with Event and Visitor Requirements, if you are not a current Georgetown University student, faculty, or staff member, please fill out this form with your COVID-19 vaccination information and complete a symptom check the first day you visit campus. You only need to submit this form once if you are attending multiple workshop events.

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Participants

Dennis Fargo Toggle

About Dennis Fargo

Dennis Fargo is a retired lay member and chair of the ACTION (Advocacy, Change, Transparency, Inclusion, ON-going reform) Committee at Saint John Neumann parish in Reston, Virginia. His lay ministerial work has included Worldwide Marriage Encounter, Kairos Prison Ministry, spiritual direction, and advocacy for the sexually abused. His earlier work included military service, negotiating the Chemical Weapons Convention in Geneva, Switzerland, and providing military advice for the U.S. ambassador.

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Daniel Hermonstine Toggle

About Daniel Hermonstine

Daniel Hermonstine (B’26) is majoring in business and global affairs at the School of Foreign Service and McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. Born in Georgetown, Guyana, he is a participant in campus groups like BlackGen and GU College Democrats, and he holds leadership positions with the Student Activity Commission and GUNAACP.

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Gerard J. McGlone Toggle

About Gerard J. McGlone

Rev. Gerard J. McGlone, S.J., Ph.D., is a senior research fellow at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. Previously he was an assistant professor of psychiatry in Georgetown University's School of Medicine. Most recently, he was the associate director for protection of minors for the Conference of Major Superiors of Men. He was also recently the chief psychologist and the director of counseling services, as well as faculty and staff psychologist, at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He has been executive director at several major treatment centers for clergy and religious in the United States-Saint John Vianney Center and Guest House, Inc. McGlone is a member of the Working Group on Child Rights and Family Values, part of the Culture of Encounter Project.

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Robert Stump Toggle

About Robert Stump

Robert Stump has been a member of Holy Trinity Parish in Washington, DC, for five decades, where he serves in various ministries. He currently co-chairs the restorative justice ministry, working to help people heal from the wounds of racism and other injustices, including those emanating from actions within the Catholic Church. Stump also served as part of a team that developed a restorative justice strategic plan for Arlington County, Virginia. He has a long history of helping organizations develop better working relationships with their workforces and other stakeholder groups.

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Evelyn Christina Wiredu Toggle

About Evelyn Christina Wiredu

Evelyn Christina Wiredu (SFS’26) is currently a freshman at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service as a prospective Culture and Politics major. She continues to develop her American Sign Language skills with the university’s Signs Club and works with the African Student Group and Black Student Alliance. Prior to coming to Georgetown, Wiredu was a gymnast for 11 years; she maintains her connection to the sport as a judge.

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