Conference Theme

Educating For Depth & Reconciliation

This theme is proposed based on GC 36’s emphasis on discernment and reconciliation, Fr. General Sosa’s speech in Rio de Janeiro and the recently identified Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus.

DEPTH is one of the two frontiers in education identified by our former Fr General Adolfo Nicolas – the other being UNIVERSALITY. Depth is really about DISCERNMENT, which can refer not only to moral discernment and spiritual discernment (this is, strictly speaking, Ignatian discernment), but also intellectual discernment as well (or critical thinking). Discernment -in all three forms – is increasingly crucial today, as Pope Francis and the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAP’s) remind us.

As clarified by GC36, we are companions sent on “a mission of reconciliation and justice.” RECONCILIATION has three dimensions: reconciliation with one another, with God and with creation and we need to work on all three dimensions. The UAPs reinforce and give urgency to the theme of Reconciliation.

The theme also promotes the 4Cs. DEPTH focuses on forming people of Conscience (moral/Ignatian discernment) and Competence (critical thinking and academic performance) while RECONCILIATION focuses on Compassion and Commitment.

The theme of our colloquium is yet another way of articulating the mission of Jesuit schools today, capturing not only the heart of GC36, but also setting initial directions for our schools to work towards the Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus while continuing to be engaged with the JESEDU-Rio2017 Action Statement. We see the UAPs as enriching and challenging the continuous process of discernment encouraged by the first cycle of global gatherings (ICJSE-Boston, 2012; SIPEI-Manresa, 2014; and JESEDU-Rio, Rio de Janeiro, 2017) and the new cycle that now begins with JESEDU-Jogja2020.

Given our schools’ mission to the youth, the proposed theme – “Educating for Depth and Reconciliation” – will provide the focus areas by which our global network of schools can explore concrete ways to practically engage with and promote the JESEDU-Rio Action Statement and the four Universal Apostolic Preferences that emerged from the worldwide discernment of the Universal Society and approved by Pope Francis: To show the way to God through Discernment (Depth), walking with the Excluded and Healing our Common Home (Reconciliation), with special attention to Accompanying the Youth.