NEW DELHI (UCAN) -- A Catholic pro-life organization has gathered about 140 social experts from 30 nations to discuss ways to build a better world that focuses more on children and family.

Social workers and experts from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe are discussing the theme Giving children a voice: The transforming role of the family in a global society.

Several children from Brazil, India, Mauritius, the Philippines, Singapore, Tanzania and the United States also are attending the Jan. 3-7 congress, which Service and Research Foundation of Asia on Family and Culture (SERFAC) organized.

Cross of Chavanod Sister Catherine Bernard, who founded SERFAC in 1986 in Chennai, southern India, told UCA News on Jan. 3 that the congress aims to draw attention to children's plight as globalization affects families and societies.

"Children need someone to listen to them, as their loneliness is unspoken. Their silence today calls for action," said the nun, a medical doctor. Parenting is high on the congress agenda, she added, explaining that participants would seek ways to educate parents on how to overcome the communication and generation gaps.

Experts from various nations are presenting papers on various issues affecting children to help families focus on their progress and safe growth.

Farida Vahedi from India spoke on Jan. 4 about the impact on children of gender discrimination, sexual abuse and exploitation. She stressed that every child mirrors God's image.

"If we want to give a voice to children, we have to invest a lot in developing the right curriculum, educational materials, and stress the spiritual insights of all Holy Scriptures of the world," she said.

Howard Dubowitz, from the United States, and Jaimala Gupta, from India, spoke about children whose parents are in prison or who are orphaned, neglected, rejected or abandoned.

Speaking with UCA News afterward, Gupta said the children's presence in the congress has been very powerful, because they are natural and speak from their heart. She expressed hope that, given opportunities, children will change the world for the good.

Presenting a paper on Jan. 4, Jesuit Father M.K. George, principal of Loyola College of Social Science in Kerala, southern India, said about 60 million children in India under the age of 6 live below the poverty line, which means they do not have even one full meal a day. Most other children in the country are malnourished, the priest said.

The world congress can be "a learning experience with multiplying effects," he told UCA News. He expressed hope the congress would emphasize awareness and organize people for collective action, which he says is important for changing social structures and influencing policies.

Father George stressed the state's role in ensuring children's basic rights but suggested strong alliances and networks could influence national and international policies.

The congress, he said, would assess the situation of children and share experiences and resources in order to come up with a framework to help children and families counter problems.

The current gathering is the third world congress Sister Bernard's foundation has organized. The first two were held in 1986 and 1991, both in Chennai.

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