November 12, 2015 — An international meeting to be held in Loyola,
Spain, from November 17-20 will bring together Jesuit and Ignatian organizations
from around the world devoted to global collaboration and the promotion of social
justice.
A year ahead of the Society of Jesus’ 36th General Congregation, the meeting is
being convened to evaluate how networking has helped the Jesuits’ mission in
the struggle for justice, to identify the main lessons learned and to propose actions
to enhance collaboration.
“We need a level of agency in which institutions and individuals see
themselves as part of a wider mission transcending the boundaries of their
institution or region,” said Jesuit Father Daniel Villanueva, director of
Entreculturas in Madrid, which helps defend access to education for the
disadvantaged.
“Our existing structures need to be renewed so that we can respond
better to the global challenges and to the international problems of today and
tomorrow. This is the reason why the Jesuits are developing networks: they are
networks promoting the good of the mission,” added Fr. Villanueva, who has been
involved in Jesuit
Networking initiatives.
Attendees will include members of the Global Ignatian Advocacy Network,
which was formed in 2008, as well as social justice delegates representing
Jesuit provinces worldwide and representatives from other Jesuit organizations, including the Jesuit Network for Migrants in Latin America and Fe y Alegría.
Participants will hear presentations from Jesuit social justice
networks, attend Mass together, have time for personal and group reflection and
visit the house of St. Ignatius, founder of the Society of Jesus. Before the
meeting concludes, attendees will share the recommendations of the group and create
a final statement on networking.
For those unable to attend the meeting, visit www.networkingforjustice.org,
where you can subscribe to receive the latest updates via email, including reflections, insights and news during and after the
meeting.
