At Cabrini, we have been busy hosting visitors in Melbourne for an international health conference held from 6 until 8 August
“It has been wonderful to see the blossoming of friendships between our partners in Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea, Swaziland, and Cape York Peninsula in Australia, and to meet representatives from our sister organisations in Argentina and Guatemala,” said Catherine Garner, Group Director Mission and Cabrini Outreach.
The meeting was convened by the International Health Commission, which was established by Sr Barbara Staley MSC, General Superior of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Cabrini Sisters), to sustain and strengthen the Sisters’ health ministries serving marginalised people in some of the poorest parts of the world.
Sr Barbara Staley MSC and two members of the commission joined 21 international and local delegates for the conference, which was held at the Catholic Leadership Centre in East Melbourne.
“Over the course of three days, we learnt more about each other’s health services, gained insight into the spirit that motivates our services and discussed how we might better work together in the future,” said Ms Garner.
“The program was designed to encourage sharing of knowledge and skills, which was particularly evident in the showcase session open to all Cabrini Health staff.
“We offered international delegates the opportunity to add a personal learning program either before or after the conference: everyone was keen to take up the offer, however one was unable due to visa restrictions.”
The success of the conference and personal learning experiences was the result of months of careful planning and consultation. The investment has strengthened our partnerships and opened up new opportunities for Cabrini Outreach.