Dr. Maryanne Loughry, R.S.M, Research Professor at the Center for Human Rights and International Justice and Associate Director, Jesuit Refugee Service Australia, and Dr. John J. Shea, O.S.A., Professor of the Practice of Pastoral Care and Counseling, School of Theology and Ministry, gave papers at the Global Conference, “In Defense of the Family,” organized by The Service and Research Institute on Family and Children held in Bangkok, Thailand, June 16-20. Dr. Loughry’s presentation was on “Children, Violence and Resilience,” and Dr. Shea’s presentation was on “Adult Parenting and Spirituality.”

The Service and Research Institute on Family and Children (SERFAC) was requested to organize this conference by The Pontifical Council for Culture of the Vatican, which was the Patron of the conference. The Council’s President was represented by Reverend Dr. Theodore Mascarenhas, in charge of the Departments of Asia, Africa, and Oceania, who presented on “Culture, Transition, and the Family.”  Ms. Renata Kaczmarska of ECOSOC of the United Nations in New York and Mr. Osama M. Rajkhan, of the United Nations (ESCAP), Thailand, also made presentations. The governments of Thailand, Philippines, Bhutan, Hong Kong, India, and Namibia sent official delegates to the conference, at which over thirty countries were represented.