Convened by the Centre for Child Protection, Pontifical Gregorian University
Piazza della Pilotta 4 – Rome
3 – 6 October 2017
The World Congress on „Child Dignity in the Digital World“, hosted by The Centre for Child Protection of the Institute of Psychology of the Pontifical Gregorian University, one of the leading global institutions dedicated to the fight against sexual abuse of children and adolescents will begin on 3rd October 2017, in Rome.
Technology has changed every aspect of modern life, mostly in positive ways. Yet, there is a dark side, particularly for the world’s children and adolescents. Technology is also facilitating a host of social ills, unlike any ever seen before. Today, there are vast numbers of sexual abuse images of youth on the internet, numbers that are growing dramatically. Children are being targeted via social media for cyberbullying, grooming, sextortion and other purposes.
Due to the aforementioned, the Congress will bring together world leaders, politicians, experts in science and law, researchers, religious leaders, law enforcement officials, business leaders, technology innovators, leaders of civil society, and many others to discuss on the topics of Cyber Protection, Cyber Education and Cyber Responsibility. It will raise international attention to online child sexual abuse and establish an important milestone on the road toward better protection of children in our digitalized society. It will also provide an historic opportunity to share and exchange practices and experience while fostering cooperation with the Centre for Child Protection and the Pontifical Gregorian University on the commitment to the protection of the dignity of children.
On the final day of the Conference, 6th October 2017, the organizers hope that world leaders will join with Pope Francis to adopt a formal declaration or statement of action for mobilizing and unifying people and nations worldwide to seek a safer, more secure childhood for the world’s children.