CONTACT: Liz O'Neill Catholic Relief Services (443) 955-7125 loneill@crs.org

REACHING OUT TO THE MOST THREATENED POPULATIONS IN THE WORLD

Catholic Relief Services to Host Conference on Protecting People with No Safety Net

Baltimore, Maryland, October 22, 2009 - From Friday, October 23 through Sunday, October 25, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) will host a conference entitled "For Whom There is No Room - a Catholic Consultation on Protection" in Baltimore. Leading policy advisors, academics and advocacy specialists from the United States and around the world will come together to discuss how to ensure the safety and dignity of vulnerable populations overseas in times of war and natural or man-made disasters.

Protection —the effort by international humanitarian organizations such as CRS to guarantee the well-being and human dignity of people caught up in conflict or disasters, is carried out in accordance with international law (refugee, humanitarian and human rights law). It is provided without regard to race, national or ethnic origin, language or gender. People seeking refuge—whether they meet the traditional definition of "refugee" or are fleeing their homes because of natural disasters—are examples of those in need of protection. So are women, children, elderly and disabled people who've been forced out of their homes due to lack of food— or those who have been traumatized by the effects of war.

The conference will examine how to protect these populations within the larger context of ensuring the human dignity and development of the whole person—two of the key tenets in Catholic Social Teaching and two guiding principles at CRS.

"These groups are extremely vulnerable," says Daisy Francis, conference organizer and advisor on protection issues at CRS. "In this three-day gathering, we'll review and debate some of the global trends--such as armed conflict, disasters, scarcity of food and the increasing flow of refugees to urban areas—and how these trends impact the safety of displaced people. We'll also talk about the theory of protecting people vs. the reality on the ground, and look at future challenges in the field."

Organizers and participants hope to engage the global Catholic community involved in this issue, to identify the unique Catholic voice as it relates to protection, and to articulate clear public policy recommendations aimed at the United States government, the United Nations, and the wider community of donors interested in this issue.

Cutting-edge topics in protection of vulnerable people will be coupled with new technology mediums to enhance the conversation. Conference planners are piloting the use of a 'live' discussion/blog site during this consultation (moderated by CRS staff). You are welcome to track the debate at http://symposia.crsprogramquality.org/consultation-protection/.

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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community. The agency provides assistance to people in more than 100 countries and territories based on need, regardless of race, nationality or creed. For more information, please visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org.