Conference
“Safeguarding: from awareness to action and evaluation”
15-18.09.2025
Ludwigshafen, Germany & online
Creating and strengthening a culture of safeguarding is an essential mission for all Jesuit and companion schools within the JECSE network. We are united by our responsibility to provide safe environments where young people can grow, learn and flourish. This involves establishing appropriate structures and mechanisms to prevent abuse, ensure the protection of minors and foster a consistent culture of care. However, safeguarding is more than just policy – it’s an ongoing process of raising awareness and providing formation. We aim to continuously train our staff, engage students and involve families in understanding their rights and responsibilities, so that together we can build a safer world for all. It’s also about extending that protection beyond our school walls and recognising the increasing influence of the digital world in which students live, learn and interact.
The rise of AI technologies also brings new challenges that we must be prepared to face. To support these efforts, JECSE (Jesuit European Committee for Primary and Secondary Education) , together with ZIP (the Centre for Ignatian Pedagogy), are pleased to invite representatives of Jesuit and companion schools from the JECSE network to a hybrid training conference. This event represents an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come and how we can respond to current challenges and ensure that that safeguarding becomes an integral and living part of our school culture.
Venue
Heinrich Pesch Haus / Hotel, Frankenthaler Straße 229,
67059 Ludwigshafen, Germany
Phone: +49 621 5999-0
www.heinrich-pesch-hotel.de
Who is this conference for
This conference is intended for all those involved in safeguarding
within Jesuit and companion schools, especially:
− Education and Safeguarding Delegates
− Safeguarding coordinators in schools
− Members of the safeguarding team created at the Provincial level to support school staff formation in the area of safeguarding
− Educators interested in this topic.
What to expect
The conference will offer:
- Thought-provoking keynotes exploring the roots of safeguarding in our Ignatian identity, as well as the global perspective on building a consistent culture of protection
- Insights into how schools can strengthen their safeguarding systems and assess their impact
- Focused discussions on safeguarding in the digital age, including the influence of online environments and emerging technologies
- Practical workshops providing hands-on strategies, tools, and opportunities to learn from real experiences across our network
- Space for dialogue, sharing, and mutual support among those responsible for safeguarding in our schools.
Additional information
- Start: Monday, September 15, 2025, 6 p.m.
End: Thursday, September 18, 2025, 1 p.m. - Participation in the conference is free of charge. Participants cover only travel costs.
- The event is organized in English, without translation into other languages.
- The number of places for the different workshops is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Registered participants will receive the detailed program with organizational information at the beggining of June.
Registration
Registration will take place through the Education Delegates of each Province. As the number of onsite places is limited, it is up to each Province’s Education Delegate to coordinate the selection of participants. We strongly encourage that this decision be made in close collaboration with the
Safeguarding Delegates to ensure the most appropriate representation.
Registration is open until all places are filled.
In case of questions write to us: office@jecse.org
We warmly welcome all those engaged in strengthening the culture of protection in our schools to join us for this meaningful gathering. Let us continue to grow together — from awareness toward a culture of ongoing reflection and action, leading to deep-rooted change.
A selection of workshops is going to be available for conference participants to choose from:
Tuesday
Practising intervention ... in cases of boundary violations, (sexualized) violence/bullying and other challenging situations - a peer case consultation
Damon McCaul, Gonzaga College SJ Headmaster, Dublin
Cathrin Rieger, ZIP, Ludwigshafen
Workshop Description:
This interactive workshop invites teachers, school leaders, and educational professionals to collaboratively explore real-life cases involving boundary violations, bullying, and (sexualized) violence. Together, participants will develop practical intervention strategies, share experiences, and strengthen their confidence in responding to challenging situations. The workshop offers a safe space for collegial exchange and learning. Key goals include raising awareness, building intervention skills, and promoting best practices.
Safeguarding self-assessment and action planning
Brian Cranmer, JCEP Safeguarding Coordinator, Brussels/Sligo
Workshop description:
Safeguarding Self-Assessment and Action Planning: In this workshop session you will receive an overview of the importance of implementing policy and theory into turning it into practice in your own context. You will be able to simulate an actual safeguarding self-assessment through the use of an indicator-based self-audit tool. With the use of this tool you will then be able to identify strengths and weaknesses and formulate a safeguarding action plan.
Applying Safeguarding Policy in schools with the minimum-standards (online)
Marek Spitczok von Brisinski, Coaching and Consulting for Personal and
Professional Development, Berlin
Workshop description:
We will reflect on central elements of the Mininum Standards for Safeguarding Policy, looking at challenges and factors that can continually increase awareness and engagement im implementing safeguarding policies in schools. Topics include:
Increasing acceptance and engagement with safeguarding policies
Variations in continuing education on safeguarding issues for the whole team
Raising awareness for pupils
Engaging with parents on safeguarding issues
Internal ombudspersons, crisis intervention teams and external cooperation
Standardised procedures for dealing with suspected cases
In a short presentation, small group exchanges and reflection of common practices the workshop seeks to activate potentials for spreading more consciousness and action in safeguarding to all school members.
Wednesday
Victim perspective and trauma-sensitive pedagogy
Jana Mohr, Victim Protection Ludwigshafen
Workshop description:
Trauma and its effect on the human body and surrounding system. With the principles of trauma- informed pedagogy, we explore the question of how you can create a
trauma- sensitive environment. The workshop includes a theoretical part with basic knowledge about trauma and sections for self- reflection for your personal field of work.e
Creating a safe educational environment in a digital world (online and onsite)
Damon McCaul, Gonzaga College SJ Headmaster, Dublin
Workshop description:
Exploring measures to ensure safe digital learning in our schools including: policies, device restrictions, student, teacher and parental education. We will also look at the restriction of mobile phones,internet filtering and our current education experience regarding cyber-bullying.
Handling Complaints with Care and Clarity (online and onsite)
Marek Spitczok von Brisinski, Coaching and Consulting for Personal and
Professional Development, Berlin
Worksop description:
Complaints can be issued by all school members: pupils, staff, parents. While safeguarding policies generally include formalised complaints procedures, many people are typically not aware of these and will speak to someone they trust informally. In this workshop we want to clarify :
Appropriate issues and procedures for handling complaints
Levels of complaints and places where they should be addressed
Differing expectations and uncertainties
Protecting individual privacy and communication about complaints
Risks for individuals and the school
Bringing complaints proceedings to a conclusion and possible benefits for all involved
With a general complaints procedure, in group work and discussion we want to increase professionalism and clarity in handling complaints and reflect how a positive effect for all involved can be achieved.