By Viktoriia Havaleshko
On March 9th, an international group of young women gathered in Rome to reflect on leadership within the Church and society. Organized by the Embassies of Australia and the United Kingdom to the Holy See, the event brought together fifteen participants of thirteen different nationalities. Among them, The Lay Centre’s community life coordinator, Daniela Niño Giraldo, who is also concluding her Licentiate degree in Philosophy at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Santa Croce).
The meeting served as a vital space for these future leaders to discuss how faith and civic engagement can drive positive change, emphasizing the importance of female reference points in both ecclesial and social contexts.
Daniela noted that meeting women in high-level leadership roles provided a sense of hope and a necessary direction to follow. She explained that for many lay women studying in Rome, seeing these examples helps reframe their own vocations and provides the courage to continue their journeys despite the challenges they may face.
Women of Faith and Leadership
The event, titled “Women of Faith: Student Leaders of Tomorrow”, offered a platform for sharing experiences and exploring the intersection of values and leadership. Ambassadors from Canada, Switzerland, Australia, and the United Kingdom shared their perspectives on the role of women in the Church today, focusing on the balance between professional service and personal life.
A central focus of the dialogue was leadership rooted in faith. Participants explored how women contribute to solving global challenges such as peacebuilding, poverty alleviation, education, and environmental protection. The discussions highlighted concrete examples of women occupying positions of responsibility, demonstrating the impact of female leadership in both religious and secular spheres.
Inspiration for the Next Generation
Reflecting on the contribution of the Canadian ambassador, Daniela remarked on the significance of having role models who successfully integrate professional service with family life and a deep spiritual dimension. She shared that such reference points are essential because they prevent young women from feeling they must choose between different paths in life.
Furthermore, she observed that for women from challenging social backgrounds, seeing female figures in prominent roles within the Church serves as a sign of hope. She noted that these experiences open new possibilities for future generations and help individuals understand how their various responsibilities fit together.
Daniela concluded by emphasizing the need for women to work together in shared spaces where they can support one another, noting that initiatives of this kind help participants realize they are not alone in their journey.
The closing ceremony was also attended by other members of The Lay Centre, including director Filipe Domingues, programs coordinator Sara Salvatori, and resident Lourdes Spossito of Argentina.
