From Egypt and Nigeria, San Marino and Austria, alumni of the Institute are bringing their expertise to the heart of safeguarding initiatives around the world.
The international mission of the Institute is increasingly visible in the work of its alumni. Across continents and in a wide range of ecclesial contexts, former students are taking on new responsibilities, joining safeguarding commissions, leading prevention initiatives and providing formation to those entrusted with the protection of children, vulnerable adults and communities.
Their recent appointments and activities offer a compelling illustration of the Institute’s international reach: formation in Rome is being translated into concrete action in local Churches, religious communities and institutions around the world.
From formation to action
In Egypt, Dr. Shereen Louis has recently taken on a national-level role as a member of the Episcopal Committee for Family Affairs, which addresses family-related matters across the Church in Egypt.
Her work extends well beyond this appointment. She has delivered formation for Franciscan Catholic priests on the protection of children from sexual harassment, contributed to a family conference on preventing abuse and educational neglect, and provided training for Christian religious education on child protection within the Church environment. In addition, she is preparing specialized training for primary-school social workers and psychologists on responding to disclosures, identifying risk factors, managing abuse cases and communicating effectively with parents.
From Nigeria, a voice for safeguarding across the Dominican Order
The international dimension of the Institute’s alumni network is particularly evident in the appointment of Fr. Nathaniel Omokhagbor Eshikena, OP, from Nigeria, to the Permanent Multidisciplinary Commission on Safeguarding of the Order of Preachers.
Established by the Master of the Order in February 2026, the Commission brings together members from different regions of the Dominican Order to strengthen safeguarding, accountability and the protection of vulnerable persons. Fr. Nathaniel is one of its founding members, representing Africa. The Commission’s mandate reflects the global nature of safeguarding within the Church: learning from different contexts, sharing experience across regions and strengthening practices throughout the Order.
Serving the Church in San Marino
In San Marino, Sr. Laura Marina has been appointed by the Bishop to join the Diocesan Commission for the Protection of Minors.
Her appointment is another example of the way Institute alumni are being called upon to contribute their expertise directly to diocesan safeguarding structures. By participating in such commissions, alumni help strengthen the Church’s capacity to promote safe environments and ensure that the protection of minors remains an integral part of ecclesial life.
From specialist formation to leadership in Austria
In Austria, the international impact of the Institute’s formation is particularly visible in the recent appointment of Barbara Neuhold as head of the newly established Prevention Department of the Austrian Conference of Religious Orders.
Since 1 September 2026, Neuhold has been responsible for supporting 192 religious communities in Austria in matters of violence prevention. Her responsibilities include developing networking structures, designing further education programmes and supporting religious communities in establishing institutional safeguarding policies.
Her new role directly builds on her formation at the Institute. From 2024 to 2026, Neuhold completed the two-year Licentiate in Safeguarding at the Institute of Anthropology of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.