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Hope in Action

Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM to Friday, Mar 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM EET

Fundația România ProCulture, Str. Amilcar C. Săndulescu 11, Bucharest, Bucharest, 060841, Romania

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2. Review and Proceed

Event Information

Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM to Friday, Mar 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM EET

Fundația România ProCulture, Str. Amilcar C. Săndulescu 11, Bucharest, Bucharest, 060841, Romania.

A European Forum for a World Without Orphans: Bucharest, Romania, 10–13 March 2026 

WORSHIP – CONNECT – LEARN – PLAN – ACT 

World Without Orphans Europe warmly invites you to "Hope in Action," a forum specifically designed for individuals and organizations dedicated to supporting vulnerable children, families, and orphans across Europe. 

Conflict and crisis fill our headlines these days, but God offers hope for those in distress and calls us to action. WWO Europe has been called to bring love and justice to vulnerable children through collaborative efforts. Join us at our upcoming forum as we gather to advance our mission of providing a safe and loving family for every child. 

Hope in Action will highlight areas that the WWO Europe team is currently working on with national "Without Orphans" teams and their leaders. We'll learn from experts and each other, engage in meaningful discussions, and create plans and commitments to put into action after the forum—whether on our own, within our organisations and churches, or together with our partners. 

At this gathering, we will unite in prayer, seek spiritual refreshment, dream boldly, and plan together to respond with greater impact to this call.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT – THE PROGRAMME 

  • Worship and prayer as a community
  • Training in the World Without Orphans Roadmap
  • Opportunities for personal prayer and encouragement
  • Networking with others involved in family strengthening and orphan care in your region
  • A day devoted to planning strategically in a focus area of your choice
  • Free time for fellowship and building connections 

 

HOPE IN ACTION – WORKING GROUPS 

  • Children on the Move: Sharing experiences and insights, building on the pilot from Moldova
  • Children with Disabilities: Engaging with our Disabilities working group to develop a strategy to change the culture of care
  • Church Engagement: Building on recent initiatives in Albania and drawing from expertise within international partnerships and "Without Orphans" movements in Romania and Ukraine
  • Safeguarding/Child Protection: Developing strategies to strengthen child protection in Europe
  • Rethinking Orphanages (by invitation only): Connecting church and mission leaders from nations with strong support for mission and orphan care with practitioners in recipient countries. Together, we’ll explore the best ways to serve children and how to achieve genuine partnership in the Gospel.

 

EVENT LANGUAGE
The event will be in English, but live or AI translation will be available into European languages based on the nations represented. 

 

REGISTRATION FEES

  • Early Bird Fee €225 until Jan 15th
  • Standard Fee €250 until Feb 28th
If you’re working among vulnerable children in Europe, and are unable to pay the full registration fee, we have a limited number of bursaries. 
Please contact europe@worldwithoutorphans.org to see if you qualify.

If you'd like to help sponsor others to attend the forum, there is an additional donation option on the registration form.

The Registration Fee for Hope in Action includes:

  • Full access to the forum venue, plenary sessions and working groups
  • 5 coffee breaks, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
  • Overnight accommodation and breakfast are not included.  

 

You can find more information, ex. different accommodation options, under the FAQ tab. 

Cancellation policy

Cancellation of registration for the Hope in Action forum up to 8 weeks prior to the 13th March 2025 will qualify for a full refund of any fees paid, less an administration fee of €12.

Cancellation less than 8 weeks prior to 13th March 2026, but up to 4 weeks in advance will qualify for a 50% refund of fees paid.

Cancellations less than 4 weeks prior to 13th March 2026 will not be eligible for a refund.

Please email us at europe@worldwithoutorphans.org if you need to cancel.

Event Location

About Organizer

World Without Orphans Europe Organizer name

https://europe.withoutorphans.org

World Without Orphans Europe is part of a global movement pursuing a world where every child is cared for in a safe and loving family, and reaches their God-given potential.

Contact the Organizer

Speakers

About Alex Ilie
President
Imitatio Christi
Mar 12, 2026
09:00 AM

Children with Disabilities Working Group (coffee and lunch included)

09:00 AM - 05:30 PM
https://acmomd.wordpress.com/
About Alina Druta
CEO
Christian Alliance Moldova Without Orphans (ACMO)
Mar 11, 2026
02:00 PM

Intervention

02:00 PM - 03:30 PM Main Hall

Amy, a Canadian missionary living in Romania, is the Operations & Communications Manager for WWO Europe, who additionally works with severely disabled children in state care. Her diverse background has provided a wealth of ministry and life experience.

Formally educated as a Red Seal Chef, Amy was in restaurant management and private catering before transitioning to a finance role at Canada’s largest privately-owned security company. She nannied periodically for nearly two decades, and gained familiarity of the medical world as she provided palliative care to her mother for many years. 

In addition to her professional roles, Amy was part of a family band that recorded and produced eight albums, performing in a mélange of venues. In the local church, she has served as a Sunday school teacher, mentored youth and young adults, led women’s Bible studies, sang on worship teams, and served in disabilities and hospitality ministries.

She is passionate for every orphan to know the love of their Heavenly Father, especially disabled children who are so often hidden away and forgotten.

www.europe.withoutorphans.org
About Amy Hutchison
Operations & Communications Manager
World Without Orphans Europe
Mar 10, 2026
04:00 PM

Opening Session with Dinner

04:00 PM - 08:00 PM Main Hall

Involved with World without Orphans from the beginning, Barbara has worked with children since 1990. She has worked with street children in India, in a group home for teenagers in conflict with the law in Switzerland and has been one of the leaders of the children's ministry in a large Swiss church for several years. During 2002-2022 Barbara was part of the international leadership team of King's Kids/YWAM and has a rich experience in working cross culturally. For many years Barbara was part of her sister and brother-in-laws foster family as an aunty, helping to care for their children. She is a trainer and coach in Trauma and Attachment and has written her own training manual on that topic. She has an MA and a PhD in Holistic Child Development and travels widely to train people who work with children, especially with orphans and children in foster care. Barbara experienced orphanhood herself as a child and has a big heart for all vulnerable children, both in her own country of Switzerland and internationally.

www.europe.withoutorphans.org
About Barbara Rüegger
Safeguarding Lead
World Without Orphans Europe
Mar 12, 2026
09:00 AM

Safeguarding Working Group (coffee and lunch included)

09:00 AM - 05:30 PM

www.childsifoundation.org
About Christopher Muwanguzi-Mugalu
Innovation & Advocacy Advisor
Child's i Foundation
Mar 12, 2026
09:00 AM

Rethinking Orphanages Working Group (coffee and lunch included)

09:00 AM - 05:30 PM
About Jo Haaijer
European Director
OneHope
Mar 12, 2026
09:00 AM

Church Engagement Working Group (coffee and lunch included)

09:00 AM - 05:30 PM
https://www.viva.org/
About Kezia M’Clelland
Chief Operating Officer
Viva Network
Mar 12, 2026
09:00 AM

Safeguarding Working Group (coffee and lunch included)

09:00 AM - 05:30 PM

Liviu Mihăileanu is an adoptive father and a leading advocate for adoption and foster care reform in Romania. His work has influenced national policy, strengthened civil society, and mobilized faith-based and professional communities around child protection. He is the founder of Tzuby’s Kids Association and President of the Romania Without Orphans Alliance. In recognition of his legislative and public advocacy, he received the Golden PR Award for Excellence in 2020. Liviu holds a PhD in theology, researching the role of Christian communities in adoption, and is the author of ”Born of the Heart” and ”The Lost Treasure”. Professionally, he serves as Director of Research & Knowledge for PwC EMEA, bringing extensive experience in strategy, governance, and organizational leadership.

www.romaniafaraorfani.ro
About Liviu Mihaileanu
President
Romania Without Orphans Alliance (ARFO)
Mar 12, 2026
09:00 AM

Church Engagement Working Group (coffee and lunch included)

09:00 AM - 05:30 PM

Having been involved with the leadership of WWO since 2015, Lubo loves to share the Father heart of God through mentoring and coaching. Being passionate about growing the capacity of national and regional teams, Lubo is involved in forming and growing the WWO learning communities in different parts of the world and seeing nations collaborate to solve the orphan crisis in their own local context. He brings over 30 years of ministry experience, with a background of working in the context of churches, Christian organizations and consulting.

www.worldwithoutorphans.org
About Lubo Hlavacka
Global Coordinator for Ambassadors and Teams
World Without Orphans
Mar 11, 2026
11:00 AM

Collaboration

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Main Hall

Miguel joined Lifeline in 2024 as the Senior Director of Global Orphan Care, bringing over 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, ministry, and cross-cultural missions. For nearly 18 years, he served internationally as a church planter, pastor, coach, and missions leader, working across denominations to share the gospel with government leaders. While serving overseas in his role as Executive Director, he led an annual national prayer breakfast, established a parliamentary prayer group, and oversaw a nationwide prayer movement directed toward local and national elected leaders. Miguel has spoken to over 10,000 students in classroom settings and large evangelistic gatherings, fostering community and inspiring the next generation.
 
He studied theology and pastoral studies at Rhema Bible College in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, where he met his wife, Mai. Married for 30 years, they are blessed with four grown children. Miguel’s dedication to sustainable ministry and gospel-centered care fuels his commitment to Lifeline’s mission of serving vulnerable children and families worldwide.

https://lifelinechild.org/
About Miguel A Zayas Jr.
Senior Director of Global Orphan Care
Lifeline Children's Services
Mar 12, 2026
09:00 AM

Children on the Move Working Group (coffee and lunch included)

09:00 AM - 05:30 PM

Nicole Baldonado is a trauma-certified social worker specializing in psychosocial support for caregivers in humanitarian crises. She is the Chief of Programme Development and Implementation for the Global Hope Groups Collaborative.

Hope Groups have randomized control evidence showing 57% improvements in parental mental health, 65% improvements in hopefulness and resilience, 54% decreases in violence against children, and 56% decreases in child behavioral issues amidst war and displacement. Mrs. Baldonado collaborated with international trauma-experts and Ukrainian refugees to develop, implement and evaluate the Hope Groups for Ukrainians impacted by war, including people in war zones, internally displaced or living as refugees. Nearly 4,000 Ukrainians have participated in Hope Groups in thirteen countries.

Mrs. Baldonado has also been a co-investigator on a pre-post study and a randomized control trial of the Hope Groups for Ukraine, in collaboration with University of Oxford, World Without Orphans, Parenting for Lifelong Health, the Global Parenting Initiative, and the Global Reference Group for Children Affected by Crisis. She has since led cultural adaptations and implementation support for Hope Groups evaluations in Colombia, Jordan, the West Bank, Sudan, and Chad, and pilots in Kenya, Malaysia, India, and Uganda. She has over 25 years of experience living in Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, Hungary and Poland, where she now resides as a refugee from the war in Ukraine. She has a background in multi-sector collaboration across government, non-profit and grassroots community organizations, and human trafficking prevention on the U.S. statewide level.

www.worldwithoutorphans.org
About Nicole Baldonado
Hope Groups Chief of Programme
World Without Orphans
Mar 11, 2026
09:00 AM

Prevention

09:00 AM - 10:30 AM Main Hall

Phil Green has been CEO of Viva since 2022 and has more than 20 years of experience supporting churches and organisations to work together to have more impact on the lives of children and young people. He was previously part of the World Without Orphans Global Team and the CEO of Home for Good – a UK-based organisation promoting foster and adoption. 
 
He is the co-catalyst for the Lausanne Movement's Children at Risk issue network, a member of the Global Reference Group for Children Impacted by Crisis, and a member of the leadership council for the Homecoming Project – a UK-based campaign promoting family-based care. He is on the board of World Without Orphans – Europe. 
 
As CEO, Phil leads our committed and talented staff team, supports our fundraising efforts, and represents Viva and our partner networks. He is passionate about ensuring that all we do is enabling our existing – and future - partner networks to make a bigger, better, and longer-lasting impact in the lives of children.

https://www.viva.org/
About Phil Green
CEO
Viva Network
Mar 12, 2026
09:00 AM

Rethinking Orphanages Working Group (coffee and lunch included)

09:00 AM - 05:30 PM

Richard is a facilitator and coach for leaders and teams. He established and grew his own businesses for 20 years. In this context, he worked with business leaders and their teams to help them succeed, and he led development programmes to transfer knowledge and effective practices across organisations. He has experience in cross-cultural communication and leadership, having worked in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, France, and Poland. He now uses this experience to lead the European Facilitation Team and to facilitate, coach and support without orphan movement leaders across Europe. He and his wife have two adopted daughters. He has been involved in shaping the Home for Good national initiative in the UK since its inception and has served the World Without Orphans movement for 8 years, driven by his passion for fatherhood and vulnerable children.

www.europe.withoutorphans.org
About Richard Procter
Leading Facilitator
World Without Orphans Europe
Mar 10, 2026
04:00 PM

Opening Session with Dinner

04:00 PM - 08:00 PM Main Hall

Ruby Johnston, LSW is a trainer and consultant working globally. She has worked extensively in the US and Canada as well as in 38 countries across the globe. Ruby is a former director of the Institute for Human Services in Canada. She lectures, writes, consults and does training in the fields of child protection, leadership, and management, with a specialization in organizational development, organizational behavior, management of large child welfare systems, and trauma-informed care. Ruby and her husband, Lynn, are co-founders of the Global Capacity Building Network, an international training and consulting organization. They have also co-founded several international organizations that serve vulnerable, exploited and orphaned children.  

Ruby is certified as an executive coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) as well as in life coaching, emotional intelligence coaching and Neuro linguistics coaching. She is on the executive team for World Without Orphans Global.  

Ruby is an adoptive parent and a former foster parent. She and Lynn have six children, eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. 

www.worldwithoutorphans.org
About Ruby Johnston
Global Capacity Building Lead
World Without Orphans
Mar 11, 2026
02:00 PM

Intervention

02:00 PM - 03:30 PM Main Hall
Mar 12, 2026
09:00 AM

Safeguarding Working Group (coffee and lunch included)

09:00 AM - 05:30 PM

Ruslan Maliuta serves at OneHope, a global ministry helping children engage with God’s story, where he leads the Collaborative Engagement team focused on building strategic partnerships and Kingdom collaboration. With over 25 years of full-time ministry experience, he has worked with churches, NGOs, governments, and networks. 

Since 2013, Ruslan has served globally through traveling, speaking, and equipping leaders in more than 40 countries. He is a co-founder of the World Without Orphans movement and is committed to pursuing unity among Christian movements around a shared vision.

Ruslan and his wife, Anya, are the joyful parents of five sons and a daughter-in-law.

https://onehope.net/
About Ruslan Maliuta
Director of Collaborative Engagement
OneHope
Mar 12, 2026
09:00 AM

Church Engagement Working Group (coffee and lunch included)

09:00 AM - 05:30 PM
europe.withoutorphans.org
About Ruth Sharon
Consultant
World Without Orphans Europe
Mar 11, 2026
04:00 PM

Living Refreshed

04:00 PM - 05:30 PM Main Hall
About Sarah Todorov
Educational and Social Researcher
Bulgaria Without Orphans
Mar 12, 2026
09:00 AM

Children with Disabilities Working Group (coffee and lunch included)

09:00 AM - 05:30 PM
https://worldwithoutorphans.org/
About Susan Hillis
Global Coordinator for Strategy and Senior Technical Advisor
World Without Orphans
Mar 11, 2026
09:00 AM

Prevention

09:00 AM - 10:30 AM Main Hall
About Sylvain Vergnon
Leader
Alo ! Mik
Mar 11, 2026
09:00 AM

Prevention

09:00 AM - 10:30 AM Main Hall

Event Sponsors

Event Schedule

Session Date
Clear all ×

Sessions on Mar 10, 2026

02:00 PM
Coffee

Registration & coffee

02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
02:00 PM
Prayer Ministry

Ministry Time

02:00 PM - 04:00 AMPrayer Room
04:00 PM

Opening Session with Dinner

04:00 PM - 08:00 PMMain Hall
  • +1
  • Amy Hutchison

    Operations & Communications Manager

    World Without Orphans Europe

07:30 PM
Prayer Ministry

Ministry Time

07:30 PM - 08:30 PMPrayer Room

Sessions on Mar 11, 2026

08:30 AM

Worship & Morning Welcome

08:30 AM - 09:00 AMMain Hall
09:00 AM
WWO Roadmap

Prevention

09:00 AM - 10:30 AMMain Hall
  • +2
  • Susan Hillis

    Global Coordinator for Strategy and Senior Technical Advisor

    World Without Orphans

10:30 AM
Coffee

Coffee break

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
11:00 AM
WWO Roadmap

Collaboration

11:00 AM - 12:30 PMMain Hall
  • Lubo Hlavacka

    Global Coordinator for Ambassadors and Teams

    World Without Orphans

12:30 PM
Lunch

Lunch

12:30 PM - 02:00 PM
Prayer Ministry

Ministry Time

12:30 PM - 02:00 PMPrayer Room
02:00 PM
WWO Roadmap

Intervention

02:00 PM - 03:30 PMMain Hall
  • +1
  • Alina Druta

    CEO

    Christian Alliance Moldova Without Orphans (ACMO)

03:30 PM
Coffee

Coffee break

03:30 PM - 04:00 AM
04:00 PM
WWO Roadmap

Living Refreshed

04:00 PM - 05:30 PMMain Hall
  • Ruth Sharon

    Consultant

    World Without Orphans Europe

05:30 PM

Free evening

05:30 PM - 09:00 PM
05:30 PM
Prayer Ministry

Ministry Time

05:30 PM - 07:30 PMPrayer Room

Sessions on Mar 12, 2026

08:30 AM

Worship & Morning Welcome

08:30 AM - 09:00 AMMain Hall
09:00 AM
Rethinking Orphanages

Rethinking Orphanages Working Group (coffee and lunch included)

09:00 AM - 05:30 PM
  • +1
  • Christopher Muwanguzi-Mugalu

    Innovation & Advocacy Advisor

    Child's i Foundation

Sponsors
Children on the Move

Children on the Move Working Group (coffee and lunch included)

09:00 AM - 05:30 PM
  • Miguel A Zayas Jr.

    Senior Director of Global Orphan Care

    Lifeline Children's Services

Children with Disabilities

Children with Disabilities Working Group (coffee and lunch included)

09:00 AM - 05:30 PM
  • +1
  • Alex Ilie

    President

    Imitatio Christi

Safeguarding/Child Protection

Safeguarding Working Group (coffee and lunch included)

09:00 AM - 05:30 PM
  • +2
  • Barbara Rüegger

    Safeguarding Lead

    World Without Orphans Europe

Church Engagement

Church Engagement Working Group (coffee and lunch included)

09:00 AM - 05:30 PM
  • +2
  • Ruslan Maliuta

    Director of Collaborative Engagement

    OneHope

06:30 PM
Dinner

Dinner together at a local restaurant

06:30 PM - 08:00 PM

Sessions on Mar 13, 2026

09:00 AM

Working Groups: What's Next?

09:00 AM - 10:30 AMMain Hall
10:30 AM
Coffee

Coffee break

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
11:00 AM

Celebration & Communion

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
12:30 PM
Lunch

Lunch

12:30 PM - 01:30 PM
Prayer Ministry

Ministry Time

12:30 PM - 01:30 PMPrayer Room

Who can register?

While we will have participants from the global child welfare community at the forum, our main focus is on fostering strategic planning within Europe. We value the interest of organisations and ministries engaged around the world; however, due to limited space, priority will be given to registrations that closely align with our focus on European strategies.

FAQ

Wondering where to stay? Here are a few suggested hotels:

  1. Ibis Politechnica Bucharest: 3* hotel with breakfast, 20-minute walk from the venue. Cost: 71€ single, 82€ double/twin when you reserve through izabela.petre@accor.com Reference: World Without Orphans Europe
  2. Hotel Sir Lujerului: 2* hotel without breakfast, 15-minute walk or 10-minutes by tram from the venue. Cost: 40€ single, twin, double or triple room. Reserve rooms online at https://lujerului.sirhotels.ro/
  3. Hotel Ambiance: 3* hotel with breakfast, 20-minute walk from the venue. More information https://ambiance-hotel.ro/en_us/

 

What about the schedule?

The forum will start on Tuesday 10th March at 2 pm with registration, and end on Friday 13th March at 2 pm with lunch. More detailed programme will be shared on this page nearer to the event. 

Is there parking nearby?

Yes, the conference center has a big parking place. No reservation needed.

Can I volunteer at the event?

Please contact us at europe@worldwithoutorphans.org for more details about volunteering.

 

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