Scottish Catholic Observer

Vatican Radio English, in cooperation with the British Embassy to the Holy See, is to host a studio discussion next week on efforts to end sexual violence.

The panel discussion, which will be streamed live on Vatican Radio’s YouTube channel, was organised on the occasion of the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, which will take place in London on June 10-13, 2014.

The summit, which will be co-chaired by the British Foreign Secretary William Hague and actress and UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie, will be the largest international gathering ever held on the issue.

The live discussion, to take place on Tuesday June 3, will focus on three main aspects of the global theme of Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict: problem, progress and prevention. Exploring the role of the Catholic networks and their knowledge and expertise in conflict zones, the panel will hear from religious women who assist victims of violence and examine the root causes as well as promoting practical actions that impact those on the ground.

The panel includes Nigel Baker (above), Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Holy See and Michel Roy, secretary general of Caritas Internationalis.

Launching the webcast, Ambassador Baker said that joint efforts are ‘steadily building the global momentum needed to end the use of rape and sexual violence in conflict once and for all.’

“These crimes have ruined the lives of millions of women, men and children in our lifetimes,” he said. “As witnesses on the ground, supporting and assisting victims, the Catholic networks have a big role to play in this international effort.”

Fr Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See press office, said every means of communication were being used to ‘defend the most vulnerable, to give voice to those with no voice, and to increase awareness of our own responsibility in the face of suffering and violence.’

—You can find out more about the London Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EndSexualViolenceInConflict