More Than Another Training Programme

At the Camillian Centre in Bangkok, leaders and senior staff of Caritas organizations across Asia gathered not merely for another training programme, but for something deeper: a moment of collective reflection, discernment, and renewed commitment.

Held from April 20 to 23, 2026, the Leadership, Compliance and Integral Ecology training programme came at a significant moment for Caritas Asia as the new Strategic Framework 2026–2030 begins to take shape. Building on previous formation programmes on servant love-based leadership, leadership styles, and safeguarding, this gathering invited participants to pause and ask not only what we are doing, but who we are becoming as Caritas in Asia.

Skilfully facilitated by Mr. Kushal Neogy, the programme created space for honest conversations, critical evaluation, and meaningful exchange among member organizations.

When Safeguarding Becomes a Culture

One of the strongest messages to emerge was that safeguarding cannot remain a matter of policy alone. Through the sharing of experiences by Caritas India and Caritas Indonesia, participants reflected on how safeguarding must become part of the culture and soul of an organization.

Mechanisms and structures are important, but every local context requires wisdom, sensitivity, and adaptation. Leadership, we were reminded, is never about copying models. It is about nurturing environments where dignity, trust, and accountability can flourish.

Beyond Systems, Towards Communion

The discussions led by Ms. Moira Monacelli, Director of the Confederation Development Department at Caritas Internationalis, brought further clarity to the evolving identity of Caritas as a confederation.

Her presentations on the updated Partnership Principles and Modus Operandi and the Caritas Internationalis Management Standards highlighted the importance of professionalism, transparency, accountability, and mutual responsibility within the global Caritas family. These frameworks were presented not merely as institutional requirements, but as pathways toward more authentic and equitable relationships in mission.

Particularly moving was the reflection on the Leadership Charter, described during the programme as both a compass and a mirror. Beyond competence and efficiency, participants emphasized the importance of cultivating a culture of listening, teamwork, continuous learning, and inclusive communication.

Earth Day, Debt, and the Cry of the Poor

The training programme’s reflection on integral ecology, fittingly held on Earth Day, added another important layer. Conversations around climate justice and the “Turn Debt into Hope” campaign highlighted the painful realities faced by vulnerable communities across Asia.

Participants spoke openly about the tensions many churches face in difficult political and social contexts. Yet there was also a shared conviction that silence in the face of suffering can never become the language of the Church.

A Mission That Continues

Bangkok became more than a venue for training. It became a reminder that Caritas is called not simply to manage programmes, but to embody compassion, justice, courage, and hope in a wounded world.

The journey continues across Asia, in our offices, communities, and shared mission to place human dignity and care for our common home at the centre of all we do.

(Fr. Fabian Dicom - Director of Caritas Malaysia)

Caritas Timor-Leste received a visit from the Secretary-General of Caritas Internationalis, Mr. Alistair Chad Dutton, on 13-14 May 2026. The objective of this visit was to learn more about Caritas Timor-Leste and its organizational development progress. The visit also provided an opportunity to discuss important priorities that Caritas Timor-Leste needs to define before becoming a member of Caritas Internationalis.

Caritas Australia, through its Country Manager in Timor-Leste, Mr. Fernando Pires, provided great support for this visit. During the visit, Mr. Alistair, accompanied by the Director of Caritas Timor-Leste, Fr. Mario de Carvalho Soares, and the National Head of Caritas Australia in Timor-Leste, also met with the President of the Episcopal Conference, Cardinal Virgil do Carmo da Silva, SDB. At this meeting, Mr. Alistair Chad Dutton stated that this visit is very important as it allows him to see first-hand the progress of Caritas Timor-Leste's service and how Caritas Timor-Leste works in conjunction with the Diocesan Caritas organizations of Dili, Baucau, and Maliana. In a meeting with the President of the Timorese Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Virgil do Carmo da Silva SDB, in his office in Lecidere, Dili, the President of the CET presented to the Secretary-General of Caritas Internationalis, Mr. Alistair Dutton, a brief history of the creation of Caritas Timor-Leste. Before the creation of Caritas Timor-Leste, there were already the Diocesan Caritas organizations of Dili, Baucau, and Maliana, which provided assistance services to vulnerable communities and victims of natural disasters and calamities in Timor-Leste. In 2024, CET created Caritas Timor-Leste to become a hub for the three Diocesan Caritas organizations, in order to further strengthen humanitarian social assistance services to communities, especially the most vulnerable and those affected by catastrophes and climate change in Timor-Leste. Through Caritas Timor-Leste, it is possible to establish better links with other national solidarity institutions and with Caritas Internationalis itself.

At this meeting, the Secretary-General of Caritas Internationalis thanked Caritas Timor-Leste for receiving his visit and thanked the President of the Timorese Episcopal Conference for making his time available to meet with him, even if only for an hour. Mr. Alistair Dutton, in his capacity as Secretary-General of Caritas Internationalis, requested that the Timorese Episcopal Conference closely monitor Caritas Timor-Leste in order to work better with the Diocesan Caritas organizations in Timor-Leste. Caritas Timor-Leste and the Diocesan Caritas organizations have an interdependent relationship to be closer to vulnerable communities. Together, the Diocesan Caritas organizations can further strengthen Caritas Timor-Leste as a Catholic Church organization serving humanitarian assistance in Timor-Leste. Caritas Internationalis hopes that, by May 2027, Caritas Timor-Leste can become a full member of Caritas Internationalis.

Caritas Timor-Leste thanks Caritas Internationalis for the opportunity to personally visit Caritas Timor-Leste and to closely follow the work of Caritas Timor-Leste, especially regarding collaboration with the Diocesan Caritas; Dili, Baucau and Maliana. Caritas Timor-Leste also thanks Caritas Australia for the opportunity to work together with Caritas Timor-Leste on jointly designed programs and for the excellent support provided during the visit of the CI Secretary-General to Timor-Leste.

The Secretary General of CI, Mr. Alistair Dutton, also had the opportunity to visit the office of Caritas Diocesan of Dili. Caritas Diocesan of Dili presented the programs they are implementing in cooperation with Caritas Australia and the World Bank. Mr. Alistair, in turn, encouraged Caritas Diocesan of Dili to collaborate well with Caritas Timor-Leste to become a good social institution of the Catholic Church in the service of humanitarian assistance in Timor-Leste.

Fr. Mario de Carvalho Soares

Director of Caritas Timor-Leste,

From 16–18 March 2026, representatives of Caritas organizations from across Central Asia gathered in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, for the Central Asia Sub-Regional Meeting. The event brought together participants from Caritas Kyrgyzstan, Caritas Mongolia, Caritas Kazakhstan, Caritas Turkmenistan, and the host organization, Caritas Tajikistan. Ari Nugroho, Program Officer from Caritas Asia, also participated in the meeting. Over the course of three days, participants exchanged experiences, discussed common challenges, and strengthened cooperation among Caritas organizations in the region.

The first day began with a visit to the Caritas Tajikistan office. During the meeting, representatives of Caritas Tajikistan presented their tuberculosis (TB) project, which focuses particularly on counteracting the spread of TB in prisons. Participants learned more about the scale of the issue and the organization’s efforts in prevention, education, and support for vulnerable groups affected by the disease.

Later, the delegation visited one of Caritas Tajikistan’s water projects dedicated to building deep wells in areas where access to clean water is limited. Participants traveled to a village where the project had already reached an advanced stage of implementation. The field visit provided valuable insight into the direct impact of Caritas’ humanitarian and development work on local communities. Access to safe drinking water significantly improves living conditions, supports public health, and strengthens resilience to difficult climatic and economic conditions.

The second day focused on updates from Caritas Internationalis, including discussions on the Partnership Principle, Modus Operandi, and the Accompaniment Plan for Central Asia.

The third day focused on presentations from the Central Asia Member Organizations and strategic discussions. Each organization presented its geopolitical context, including the operational conditions for Caritas and the Church’s social mission, legal registration matters, and administrative challenges. Participants also shared organizational updates regarding strategic plans, structures, staffing, and volunteer engagement.

Special attention was given to flagship projects and key achievements of each organization. Participants discussed current challenges faced in the region as well as opportunities for collaboration, fundraising, and resource mobilization. The sessions also helped participants better understand Caritas standards and the strategic plan of Caritas Asia, which forms part of the broader Caritas Internationalis strategy.

The introductory presentations from each Member Organization allowed participants to better understand what unites the Caritas organizations in Central Asia and what they can learn from one another. This was followed by practical working sessions demonstrating how the plans of the Member Organizations could be aligned with the Caritas Asia strategic framework. During these sessions, participants explored what Caritas Asia can offer to individual Member Organizations, as well as what the Member Organizations themselves can contribute to other MOs and to Caritas Asia.

In summary, the meeting in Dushanbe was both necessary and highly valuable. It took place in a very professional yet friendly atmosphere and further strengthened regional cooperation and solidarity among Caritas organizations working across Central Asia.

Fr. Tomasz Pys

(Director of Caritas Kazakhstan)