14 September 2016
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| Refugee woman sitting in a refugee transit camp in Croatia (Darrin Zammit Lupi/Jesuit Refugee Service) |
| "We can no longer take the suffering of others for granted, we must come together and mobilize our compassion to make a globalized difference. It is the role of each one of us to ensure those who have lost their homes do not lose their hope." Pope Francis |
Fr. Smolich's intervention will focus on the Jesuit
answer to the migration phenomenon and on what the Jesuit Refugee
Service does to respond to the refugees' needs. Reflecting also on the
three pillars of JRS mission, accompanying, serving and advocating, the
International Director will provide information to help the audience
understand the complexities surrounding migration in a faith-inspired
and comprehensive manner.
On September 14th, the European Jesuit Alumni will begin their meetings
in a three days encounters, rich with initiatives, workshops and
discussions to analyze how, as Europeans and as Christians, they can
take and active part to the resolution of the many challenges Europe is
facing vis-à-vis the migration influx.
In order to gather in depth information and pluralistic
points of view on the matter, at 9:30 a.m. on Friday September 16th,
integration and cultural identity, social, economic and religious issues
will be addressed holistically by IlhamAllah Ferrero, Secretary General COREIS (Italian Islamic Religious Community), Chiara Peri, Advocacy Officer at Centro Astalli (JRS Italy), and by Jill Drzewiecki, Mercy in Motion Campaign Development Coordinator (JRS International Office).
On Thursday and Friday the participants will also
have the chance to attend an experiental tour, organized by the JRS
International Office, where they will meet refugees served by JRS, to
better understand the many challenges they deal with in a large
metropolis such as Rome.
These intense days of European encounters promise to be a series of
moments in which former Jesuit students acquire spiritual and
intellectual knowledge to open up their souls and minds, a knowledge
that will guide and inspire them, once back at home, to live their lives
as true followers of Ignatius.
The programme will conclude on Saturday after a private audience with Pope Francis.
Friday, 16 September 2016, 09:30 -13:00
LUMSA University, Sala Giubileo, via di Porta Castello 44, 00193 Rome, Italy
For more information:
Jill Drzewiecki, JRS Mercy in Motion Campaign Development Coordinator, jill.drzewiecki@jrs.net - tel. 3454378095Giulio D'Ercole, JRS Mercy in Motion Campaign Communications Coordinator, giulio.dercole@jrs.net - tel. 3403552538
Juan M. Montoya, WUJA Program Coordinator / European Encounters of Jesuit Alumni Logistics Coordinator, juan.montoya@wuja.org - tel: +32 470 196 011
martina.bezzini@jrs.net
