The International Pastoral da Criança (Child´s Pastoral) was officially established on November 18, 2008 in Montevideo, Uruguay. The founders are: Most Reverend Cardinal Geraldo Majella Agnelo, Primate Archbishop of Salvador (BA) and founder of the Pastoral da Criança, Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer, Archbishop of Sao Paulo, Bishop Carlos M. Collazzi - of the Diocese of Mercedes and President of the Uruguayan Episcopal Conference, Dr. Zilda Arns Neumann, founder of the Pastoral da Criança, Mr. Jorge Gerdau Johannpeter, President of Gerdau Group. The Administrative Board is composed by Cardinal Geraldo Majella Agnelo, Bishop Luis del Castillo - of the Diocese of Melo in Uruguay, Mrs. Maria Laura Bulanti, Mr. Maurilio Leopoldo Schmitt and Dr. Nelson Arns Neumann.
The goals of the Pastoral da Criança International are: to promote activities to reduce child and maternal mortality, malnutrition and domestic violence, and to promote the whole development of children, since its conception, in the family and community environment.