In 2018 the Data Protection Act was passed in the UK. The aim of the act was to ensure that any organisation that deals with a person’s details (data) needs to handle that information in a careful, responsible and transparent manner. This is particularly important for more sensitive information, such as religious belief, ethnic background, health etc.
An organisation needs to ensure any information they have is correct. The information collected about an individual should be limited to that which is needed to conduct its business. Information should not be held for longer than necessary. An individual has the right to know what information an organisation holds about them and to request to access it, or to have their data removed.
When organising a Focolare event it is often necessary to collect information about those participating. For example, those arranging residential meetings will need some details about a person’s age – are they a child or elderly with limited mobility? What is their contact address/phone number? Do they have any allergies which need to be catered for…?
In carrying out our mission as the Focolare Movement in Great Britain, we are expected to follow the requirements of the Data Protection Act. This is something we would wish to do as a duty of care for the other, so in a way the legislation helps us look at how we can better protect the people that come into contact with Focolare.
Over the past two years a ‘Data Protection Team’ has worked on three documents concerning how any information collected from an individual is handled. They are available to see on the website www.focolare.org/gb/privacy-2-2/ and include a ‘Privacy Statement’, a ‘Data Protection Policy’ and an ‘Events Manual’.
The Privacy Statement explains what personal data Focolare Movement in Great Britain collects about a person, how and why we use it, who we may disclose it to and how we protect it.
The Data Protection Policy explains the roles and responsibilities of anyone involved in handling a person’s data. It aims to ensure the Focolare members as well as those acting on behalf of the Focolare in GB follow up-to-date data protection legislation and good practices.
The Events Manual is intended to be an easy, step by step guide to anyone involved in arranging a Focolare event. It aims to help people to comply with Data Protection rules without having too much worry in this regard.
Should you have any questions or comments on the matter of Data Protection please feel free to email them to: dataprotection@focolare.org.uk.
