A two day workshop was conducted for the Animators, School Sisters and members of the Provincial Team on FMA India Child Protection Policy. It was held from 5-6 October 2015 at Auxilium Provincial House. The resource persons were Fr. Joe Xavier SJ Executive Director, Indian Social Institute, Delhi and Sr. Isabella Alphonse FMA from Chennai Province who is also the National Development Forum Coordinator. 52 participants took part in it.

The significant event commenced with a prayerful moment animated based on the Gospel of St. Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me”. Immediately after the prayer moments, Sr. Isabella Suja the Provincial gave a welcome address to the resource persons and all the participants.

The first day was divided into four sessions. Sr. Isabella Alphonse on FMA-CPP took the first session: context, Processes and Final Document during which she presented the journey towards the FMA-INDIA Child Protection Policy. Various important points such as global context, abuses and consequences, stages in the creation of CPP, its application and advantages were dealt with. Sr. Isabella has enriched the sisters not just with her presentation but her experiences and competence.

The second session was taken by Fr. Joe Xavier who gave an explanation on the document-FMA Child Protection Policy. The entire session was a complete overview of the same. The structure of the document was presented and discussed in brief. Each topic was then explained briefly and among those, the role and functions of the designated officers were delved in detail. Fr. Joe made sure that every participant got a clear understanding of the document making it a very interactive and interesting session. Many questions were put before him and his response was prompt and to the point.

During the afternoon session Fr. Joe Xavier broke the participants into four groups after a brief instruction on the group activity. The groups then dispersed to discuss and prepare mock cases and presented the same in the evening. After every presentation a detailed evaluation was done whereupon various queries were answered to and doubts clarified.

The second day saw the sharing of two of our Sisters Sr. Happyline Shadap a member of CWC (Child Welfare Committee) in Ri Bhoi District and Sr. Cecilia Ksoo a member of the JJB (Juvenile Justice Board) West Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya. The groups then engaged themselves in the planning matrix for the province. A compilation group was also set up who compiled all the reports of the group and presented the consolidated work.

The programme concluded with a solemn valedictory function in which Sr. Isabella Suja the Provincial gave the concluding message. The Social Development Coordinator of the Province Sr. Gemima Pohrmen invited every one to rise up in which a prayer for Victims of Child Abuse was prayed together and followed by the Institute Anthem. Thus, the workshop that began with a prayer ended well with a prayer.