Press Announcement: II Joint Colloquium between Kazakhstan and the Holy See on the Protection of Children to Be Held in Astana in October
On October 2-3, 2026, the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue will host the II Joint Colloquium between the Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and the International Center in Astana. The main theme of the Colloquium will be the protection of the rights and dignity of vulnerable children.
The XXIV Meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions will be held under the leadership of Yerlan Tynymbaiuly Karin, Vice President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Chair of the Secretariat of the Congress.
The Colloquium will continue the dialogue between Kazakhstan and the Holy See, which began in April 2024 with the first joint meeting held during the visit of the Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions to the Vatican.
The Colloquium will convene official representatives of Kazakhstan and the Holy See, religious leaders, specialists in the fields of pediatrics, bioethics and theology, representatives of international organizations, as well as members of the expert community. The event will be co-chaired by the Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
The program will focus on three key areas: the ethical foundations of child care and interfaith solidarity; the protection of children’s rights and dignity in the context of illness; and the development of medical, scientific and institutional cooperation. The potential of artificial intelligence in pediatrics and the ethical principles governing its use will also be given special attention.
One of the key reference points for the discussions will be the Kazakhstan–Vatican initiative, the Charter on the Rights of the Incurable Child, which is based on the principles of respect for human dignity, comprehensive care for the child, and support for the family. The Kazakh side will also present the experience of the «Zhusan» humanitarian operation as a practical example of assistance to children facing difficult life circumstances.
To cover the Colloquium, Kazakhstani and international media are kindly requested to complete accreditation no later than September 21, 2026. For accreditation, please contact us by email: communications@iciid.org.
Date: October 2–3, 2026
Venue: National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 1st floor
Start time: 10:30 a.m.
