From 3 to 5 March 2026, leaders from across the Caritas Internationalis Confederation gathered in Kigali for the Humanitarian Conference 2026, held under the theme: “Rooted in Compassion, Rising to the Challenge: Caritas Humanitarian Action in a Changing World”.
The three-day conference brought together representatives from Caritas organizations around the world to reflect on the evolving humanitarian landscape and strengthen collaboration across the Confederation. As global crises become increasingly complex, the gathering provided an opportunity to share experiences, explore emerging challenges, and identify strategic approaches to ensure Caritas remains effective and principled in its humanitarian mission.
Participants highlighted the profound transformations affecting humanitarian action worldwide. Growing geopolitical tensions, climate-induced disasters, forced displacement, and protracted conflicts are significantly increasing humanitarian needs. At the same time, humanitarian actors are navigating shrinking civic space, rapid digital transformation, and shifting donor priorities.
In this context, Caritas organizations are called to adapt their approaches while remaining firmly rooted in their mission of serving the most vulnerable. With its deep presence in local communities and its commitment to integral human development, the Caritas Confederation is uniquely positioned to respond to these evolving challenges with compassion, innovation, and solidarity.
The first day of the conference focused on examining lobal geopolitical and humanitarian sector shifts and their implications for Caritas’ humanitarian work.
Participants explored how international dynamics are reshaping humanitarian response and discussed how the Confederation can adapt its strategies to remain principled, effective, and well-coordinated. Discussions also highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration among Caritas members to ensure timely and impactful responses to crises around the world.
The second day centered on localization and local leadership, emphasizing the crucial role of local Caritas organizations and community actors in humanitarian response.
Participants reaffirmed the importance of placing local leadership at the heart of humanitarian work, recognizing that local actors are often the first responders during crises. Strengthening their capacity, amplifying their voices in global advocacy, and ensuring equitable partnerships were identified as key priorities for the Confederation moving forward.
Celebrating and sharing good practices
The final day of the conference provided a platform to celebrate and share humanitarian good practices from across the Caritas network.
Participants presented innovative responses and successful initiatives in different programmatic areas, fostering peer learning and inspiration across the Confederation. These exchanges highlighted the creativity, resilience, and dedication of Caritas organizations working in diverse contexts worldwide.
The Humanitarian Conference concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening solidarity across the Caritas network and enhancing the Confederation’s capacity to respond to growing humanitarian needs.
Rooted in compassion and guided by its values of human dignity and social justice, Caritas continues to stand alongside vulnerable communities around the world. The insights and commitments emerging from this conference will help shape the Confederation’s humanitarian action in the years ahead, ensuring that Caritas remains a strong and trusted actor in an increasingly complex humanitarian environment.