Article published by Global Sisters Report

Dozens of religious sisters are among the stakeholders who convened in Kenya's capital to emphasize the need for all children globally to grow up in safe, nurturing families rather than in institutional care.

The Catholic Care for Children Convening, which ran May 16-18 in Nairobi, was organized by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), Catholic Care for Children International (CCCI) and GHR Foundation. More than 100 participants from different religious bodies from African countries, the United States and Italy gathered to exchange ideas on creating new models for caring for vulnerable children with the theme "Reading the Signs of the Times Together." 

The convening comes barely two years after the launch of the Catholic Care for Children International initiative under the auspices of UISG — one of many faith groups leading policy reform and family-based alternatives to institutional care.

Catholic Care for Children International's mission is to support institutes of consecrated life ministering on child care to read the signs of the times, reduce the need for care in institutions, prevent family separation, and provide alternatives to enable children to grow up in a safe and loving family environment.