Care as a language of peace: religions in dialogue on the dignity of vulnerable children

Religious leaders, medical experts, and scholars are meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, on October 2 and 3 to discuss how different faiths can protect the dignity of children with incurable illnesses. The Second Joint Colloquium, titled "Promoting Health, Promoting Peace: A Shared Commitment to Caring for Vulnerable Children," is organized by the Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and Kazakhstan’s International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue.

The two-day meeting at the National Museum of Astana focuses on the ethical foundations of caring for children, the protection of their rights during illness, and ways to improve medical and institutional cooperation. Participants are also examining the ethical implications of using artificial intelligence in pediatrics.

Discussions aim to address how to ensure children with incurable conditions receive appropriate medical care alongside attention to their psychological, social, family, and spiritual needs. The program emphasizes that a child's dignity remains intact regardless of their illness or the possibility of a recovery.