Vienna, May 2025 —
The International Prison Chaplains’ Association (IPCA) is honored to participate in the 34th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), taking place from 19 to 23 May 2025 at the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria.
Our team is actively engaging with international partners to advocate for humane prison practices, support chaplaincy work worldwide, and contribute to global discussions on justice reform. Representing IPCA at this key international event are David Buick, President of IPCA Worldwide, Alan Rufli, Chair IPCA Europe, Marie-Luise Nozari, Vice Chair, and Pastor Naomi Buick, Conference Director.
They are engaging with global leaders, policymakers, and NGOs to advocate for dignity, hope, and humane treatment within the world’s prison systems.
The CCPCJ is the principal policymaking body of the United Nations in the fields of crime prevention and criminal justice. It provides a vital forum where Member States, civil society organizations, and experts collaborate on addressing critical challenges, including:
- Crime prevention strategies
- Prison reform
- Access to justice
- Rehabilitation and reintegration
- Promotion of human rights within criminal justice systems
At this year’s session, IPCA’s presence underscores the essential role of spiritual care and prison chaplaincy in fostering hope, dignity, and transformation for incarcerated individuals. Our involvement strengthens our commitment to promoting humane practices and standing up for the often-forgotten voices behind bars.
In addition to engaging with decision-makers, IPCA looks forward to connecting with fellow NGOs, building partnerships, and sharing best practices that align with our mission. This moment also sets the stage for an important event later this year:
The IPCA Worldwide Conference 2025 – “A Living Hope”, to be held in October 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Our global conference will gather prison chaplains, ministry leaders, and justice advocates from all continents to exchange experiences, deepen their ministry, and renew the collective vision of bringing lasting hope and restoration to prison communities worldwide.
Stay tuned for more updates from Vienna, and we warmly invite all our new friends and partners to join us this October in Bangkok, where we will continue to sow seeds of hope across the world.