Child Protection Policy

 

GMD Training and Consultancy Services Ltd.

 

  1. Policy Statement

 

GMD Training and Consultancy Services Ltd. (hereafter “GMD”), a company duly registered and incorporated under the laws of Malta, bearing Company Registration number C 101575 is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, protection, and rights of all children and young people under the age of 18. We believe every child has the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence, and to participate fully and safely in any activity, training, or consultancy project we deliver or support.

 

This policy outlines our commitment to creating and maintaining a safe environment for children and young people, and provides clear guidelines for staff, consultants, contractors, volunteers, and partners, especially within the scope of our projects and activities.

 

Through this Policy, GMD addresses standard 1 of The International Child Safeguarding Standards[1]

 

  1. Policy Objectives

 

  • To ensure children and young people are respected, valued, and protected at all times.
  • To establish clear procedures to prevent, identify, and respond to risks of abuse or maltreatment.
  • To ensure staff, consultants, and partners are fully aware of their duty of care.
  • To promote a culture of transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance for abuse or exploitation.

 

  1. Scope

 

This policy applies to:

  • All GMD staff, consultants, contractors, trainers, and volunteers.
  • Partner organizations engaged in GMD activities or projects.
  • Children, young people, and families participating in or affected by GMD activities.

 

  1. Definitions

 

We recognize the internationally accepted definitions of child abuse as outlined by the United Nations and other international child protection bodies, including:

 

  • Harm: Any of the below forms of abuse, neglect or exploitation to children
  • Physical abuse: Inflicting physical harm or injury.
  • Sexual abuse: Involving a child in sexual activity, with or without physical contact.
  • Emotional/psychological abuse: Persistent harmful interactions that damage a child’s emotional well-being.
  • Neglect: Failure to provide adequate care, protection, or supervision.
  • Exploitation: Using a child for profit, labor, or advantage (economic or sexual).

 

GMD adopts by reference all definitions under the International Child Safeguarding Standards, particularly those Definitions related to “harm”.

 

  1. Core Principles

GMD has adopted the below principles in terms of addressing matters where children are involved:

 

  1. Transparency and accountability:

GMD Will strive to operate as transparently as possible, including written statements for its processes and publishing whenever possible its measures and responsible persons for each matter

 

  1. Prevention and mitigation:

GMD’s first priority is to prevent any harm from even occurring, hence appropriate and adequate preventive measures will be put in place. Should these measures not be sufficient, any harm will be immediately mitigated.

 

  1. Protection and care:

All children, considering their vulnerabilities, will be taken care of and especially considered.

 

  1. Principle of data minimization:

GMD will process all personal data regarding children in light of this principle, which entails reducing as much as possible the personal data that is being processed. GMD will process Children personal data in an anonymized manner as much as reasonably possible, with a view of preventing any unnecessary disclosure or harm.

 

  1. Risk Assessment

 

Considering GMD’s activities and projects, the below areas have been identified of potential risk and exposure to children, following the definition of Harm:

 

  • Staff and trainers in contact with minors – ensuring all GMD personnel and contracted facilitators are adequately vetted, trained, and adhere to safeguarding principles when interacting with children and young people.
  • Selection of project partners – assessing the safeguarding standards and reputations of collaborating institutions, organizations, or community representatives to ensure alignment with child protection principles.
  • Project communication and visibility – managing the use of images, stories, and online content in ways that protect the privacy, dignity, and rights of children, particularly when sharing materials through digital platforms or intercultural storytelling projects.

 

GMD defines, assesses, and manages potential risks through a participatory approach that reflects the specific nature of its work in intercultural management, diversity, equity, and inclusion. This involves considering the types of risks associated with its areas of intervention, including training delivery, consultancy processes, educational content creation, facilitation of intercultural dialogue, and activities that promote social integration.

For each project, program, or activity, GMD evaluates the potential impact on children and adolescents who may be directly or indirectly involved and identifies appropriate strategies to minimize risks. This includes anticipating how training materials, facilitated discussions, and partner activities might affect the safety, dignity, and rights of children.

 

  1. Code of Conduct

 

Within this subtitle to this Policy, GMD establishes its Code of Conduct, applicable to all mentioned stakeholders:

 

All staff, consultants, and partners must:

  • Treat children with respect and without discrimination of any kind.
  • Always act in the best interests of the child.
  • Create and maintain safe environments where children feel comfortable, valued, and heard.
  • Report concerns, suspicions, or allegations of abuse immediately, following the reporting procedures.

 

They must never:

  • Use language, gestures, or behavior that is inappropriate, abusive, or sexually suggestive.
  • Engage in physical punishment, rough handling, or degrading treatment.
  • Develop exploitative or inappropriate relationships with children.
  • Ignore or fail to act upon suspected cases of abuse.

 

  1. Preventive Measures

 

In order to prevent any negative effect to children involved within GMD’s projects and activities, GMD has the below preventive measures in place:

 

  • Recruitment and Selection: All staff, consultants, and volunteers working directly with children must undergo appropriate background checks, reference checks, and safeguarding training.
  • Training: All personnel are required to complete regular training on child safeguarding and protection.
  • Awareness: Children, families, and communities involved in GMD activities will be informed about their rights and the protections in place.
  • Partnerships: GMD will only work with partners who share a commitment to child safeguarding and agree to adhere to this policy.

 

 

  1. Mitigating measures: Reporting and Response

 

In the unlikely event that GMD does not manage to prevent any negative consequence to Children involved within its activities, GMD will establish the below mitigating measures, to ensure to address these matters in due time:

 

  • Any suspicion, concern, or allegation of child abuse must be reported immediately to the CPO.
  • Reports can be made verbally, in writing, or via email. Anonymous reports are also accepted.
  • The CPO will ensure reports are documented, treated confidentially, and escalated to the appropriate child protection authorities where necessary.
  • GMD will support and protect whistleblowers and those raising concerns in good faith.

 

 

  1. Roles and Responsibilities

 

GMD Understands that to ensure efficient application of this Policy clear responsible and owners shall be established with regards to the projects and initiatives. Therefore GMD hereby appoints the personnel below as bearing the following responsibilities in terms of this Policy:

 

  • Child Protection Officer (CPO): GMD appoints a designated CPO responsible for overseeing implementation, responding to reports, and liaising with relevant authorities.
  • Management: Ensure adequate resources, training, and accountability for safeguarding.
  • Staff/Consultants: Comply fully with this policy and immediately report any concerns.

 

  1. Communication and Use of Images

 

In Line with the abovementioned principles, GMD will use images and communicate with any children or relative as follows:

  • The use of images containing children will be as reduced as possible. Should these images, videos or stories be needed or suitable, they will only be used with informed consent from the child (where appropriate) and their parent/legal guardian.
  • Content must respect children’s rights, dignity and never expose them to any type of risk of harm.
  • Identifiable details (such as home address or school location) must never be disclosed.

 

  1. Disclosure

This Policy will be made public in GMD’s website to ensure adequate distribution and information to all relevant stakeholders, and ensure that the Children’s rights are duly respected

 

  1. Monitoring and Review

  • This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as needed to reflect best practices and legal requirements.
  • Compliance will be monitored through staff meetings, project evaluations, and feedback from children and families.
  • External experts may be consulted for independent review every three years.

 

Adopted by GMD Training and Consultancy Services Ltd.
Date: 16/09/2025
Signed: Viviana Premazzi

Child Protection Officer (CPO):

Viviana Premazzi

+356 79404689

viviana@gmd-global.com

 

 

 

 

 

[1] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/f53f19ef-c655-4d63-91e5-db4fee59ca3e_en?filename=KCS-CS-Standards-ENG-200218.pdf