On 9 November 2024, Fr General Arturo Sosa, SJ, has appointed Fr Jimmy Bartolo, SJ, from the Euro-Mediterranean Province, as the next Secretary for Secondary and Pre-secondary Education of the General Curia. Fr Jimmy Bartolo will begin his job in January 2026. This will give him and Fr José Mesa, SJ, the current Secretary, plenty of time to plan a smooth transition of this important apostolic area of the Society. Fr Bartolo is currently the Rector of Saint Aloysius College in Malta. He brings a great deal of experience, knowledge and dynamism to the Secretariat because of his many years working in schools, provincial coordination of schools and team work at the level of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials. At the handover Fr Mesa will have completed more than 15 years as the Secretary for Education.

Between November 18th and 21st, Detention Visitors from 8 country offices met in Malta for the 18th Detention Visitor Support Group (DVSG) training. This annual meeting gathers JRS workers visiting people in Detention Centres across Europe to discuss the latest developments and challenges they are facing as well as participate in training sessions led by experts to better support detained migrants. This year the meeting focused on vulnerability within the context of detention and how to best accompany those most vulnerable. To explore this theme, discussions and trainings centred around vulnerability criteria, which vary across countries, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support practices that can be applied in the visits as well as ways for the visitors to take care of themselves in harsh and emotionally charged contexts. Mariza Koronioti, JRS Europe Programme Officer in charge of the Detention Under the Spotlight project and lead organizer of the event, expressed: “This meeting comes at a crucial time. It is the first DVSG since the approval of European Migration and Asylum Pact. This package of policies will be hugely impactful for Detention Visitors since it will drastically increase the number of people in detention, specially at the borders of the EU”. “We are happy to see continued commitment and enthusiasm from country offices to participate in this training and we are glad to continue co-creating this space that fosters an environment for detention visitors to support and accompany each other”, she added. In addition, the local office in Malta offered a closer look at the Maltese context, especially looking into the deterioration of access to detention centres and increasing limitations to the services they can provide. In addition, the Aditus Foundation, a JRS Malta partner, presented their experience using strategic litigation, including before the European Court of Human Rights, the improvements they achieved through it and the challenges they have faced. Finally, JRS Europe held the last sessions looking forward at the next steps in joint projects discussing how to best work together through legal, advocacy and communications joint activities that might maximize the impact of our work. This is crucially vital in a context where immigration detention is destined to drastically increase as a consequence of the policies of the European Migration and Asylum Pact. The Detention Visitor Support Group was created in 2007 with the aim of offering training and support to staff and volunteers visiting detention centres across Europe. Since then, it has had annual meetings in which everyone gathers to share experiences and best practices in the hope of improving the services provided to people currently in Detention Centres. Moreover, the experiences and observations of the detention visitors meeting at the DVSG lay the basis of JRS advocacy and communications work in the Detention Under the Spotlight project. While having as ultimate goal the elimination of immigration detention, we will keep providing support to detained migrants across Europe and fighting for the respect of their human rights, especially within this extremely harmful context.  

In response to the catastrophic effects of the Dana storm that devastated over 70 areas in Valencia, Spain, the Society of Jesus has mobilized its network to provide critical support to affected communities. Collaborative efforts have been channeled through various initiatives, bringing together citizens, social organizations, and Jesuit institutions. Key Actions and Contributions: Emergency Relief and Coordination: The Arrupe Center in Valencia has coordinated aid efforts, combining resources from the San José Schools, Jesuit Migrant Service (SJM), ECCA Social, and Entreculturas. Food, supplies, and financial support have been delivered to over 500,000 affected individuals, in partnership with Caritas Valencia. Solidarity and Logistics: The San José Schools operated as a food bank, collecting and distributing essential items, with students actively participating. Technical support was provided in heavily hit areas like Paiporta, where vocational staff deployed water pumps to mitigate flooding. Hospitality and Shelter: Temporary housing and supplies were offered to displaced families through partnerships with religious communities and local authorities. Spaces such as the "La Purísima" retreat house and school facilities were adapted to accommodate emergency needs and displaced students. Education Continuity: Classrooms at the Arrupe Center and San José Schools have temporarily hosted displaced students, ensuring their education continues. Emergency education resources were developed by Entreculturas and Alboan to support children and young people in coping with the crisis. Emotional Support and Spirituality: The San Camilo Listening Centre and SJM Valencia provided emotional and psychological care to those affected. A prayer vigil was held to reflect on the tragedy, offering a space for community and global solidarity through live-streamed participation. Storage and Donations: The Arrupe Center serves as a hub for donations, hosting contributions from organizations like INDITEX, which provided 700 clothing kits for affected individuals. Call to Action: The Jesuit network underscores the importance of every contribution, big or small, to aid in recovery efforts. For those who wish to help, donations can be made through emergencias-sj.org. This collective response highlights the power of solidarity, resilience, and hope in the face of adversity.

Thursday 14 November, the inauguration ceremony was held for the new sports facility that will be part of the St. Aloysius College campus in Malta and will be managed by the Vassallo Group. After two and a half years of construction, this school within the Euro-Mediterranean Network of Jesuit Schools is ready to welcome students aspiring to a career in sports while pursuing a high-quality education rooted in Ignatian values of excellence. F. Jimmy Bartolo SJ, former President of the Jesuit Education Foundation and current Rector of the Maltese institution, shares the process behind the creation of the sports complex and the ambitions driving the School towards a new vision, embracing the values of sports, community, and youth development. Director, could you tell us more about the facilities and schools that make up the St. Aloysius College? Our institution is an educational center that includes three levels of education: primary school, secondary school, and a preparatory school for higher education, known as the Sixth Form. These three institutions, along with our sports complex inaugurated in 1997, form the heart of our campus. Our mission is to offer students a holistic education based on Ignatian values and personal growth.   Important renovations of the sports facility have been completed, could you tell us more about it? Two and a half years ago, we entered into a collaborative agreement with Vassallo Group, represented by an alumnus who wanted to contribute to the future development and growth of our institution. This project included the renovation and expansion of the school building, particularly the sports arena. The gym has been upgraded, and a cafeteria and fitness center have been added, which will be accessible to both our students and the public, allowing the entire community to benefit from suitable spaces and services. The agreement also included the establishment of the Mediterranean College of Sport by Vassallo Group, a private school offering targeted studies that will initially host 90 students, providing young people with high-quality sports education. Apart from the new facilities, what else does the renovated campus offer? Among the main additions, we have Malta’s first sports science lab, a gymnastics area, a new parking lot, a seven-a-side football pitch, a swimming pool, and a childcare center for employees who need a place for their children. We also have the “Sports Star Lodge,” a dormitory that will accommodate both Maltese and international students. This investment represents an extraordinary opportunity for the student and local community, as it allows us to welcome athletes and students from around the world and to offer quality spaces and services. What values led to this renovation project and will guide future projects? At the heart of everything is our desire to build an inclusive, open, and supportive community. We are fortunate to have a partner who shares our ideals and cares deeply about the past and future of the Institute. One of the most meaningful aspects of this project is the initiative of a former student who wanted to give back to the School, showing dedication and solidarity with the values he learned here. What impact does this project have on your educational mission? From the start, St. Aloysius College has invested in sports as an educational tool. This initiative allows us to provide young people with opportunities for academic and physical growth by offering spaces and resources that promote their well-being and team spirit. We hope these shared spaces will become a meeting point for young people and families, strengthening bonds and creating a support network that extends beyond the school walls. Father Jimmy, when and how did the inauguration of the sports arena take place? The inauguration ceremony was held on November 14th, a date symbolically chosen to commemorate the birth of Father Arrupe, an inspiring figure for our Jesuit order. It was a special and unique event: we had the honor of hosting the President of the Republic, Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta along with the Honorable Clifton Grima, Minister of Education and Pio Vassallo, CEO of Vassallo Group. The day was a moment of great celebration, not only for the Institute but for the entire Maltese community, as it celebrated a project that required much commitment and dedication. Together, we are building not only new structures but also an environment of growth and sharing that we hope will inspire future generations, certain of the great benefits it will bring to our community.

This year at Collège Notre Dame de Jamhour, is nothing like we imagined. Lebanon has endured profound upheavals in recent years—the 2019 uprising, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beirut port explosion of August 4, 2020, and now, a war that infiltrates every corner of our lives. Yet, amidst the destruction and daily struggle, our school community shines as a beacon of hope and resilience. The journey to school, once routine, has become an act of courage. Every lesson we attend is a defiance of war, a refusal to let it steal our dreams. Our teachers, driven by uncertainty, remain steadfast, providing not only knowledge but inspiration, even as explosions sometimes disrupt our classrooms. What stands out most this year is solidarity. Despite the instability—bombing zones, displacement, and loss—students share their resources and support one another. Simple yet profound acts of kindness remind us that we are stronger together than any war. This war has taught us resilience, not just survival. While older generations may see it as a haunting repetition of past conflicts, we, the youth, have discovered a strength within us. We rise each day, rebuild, and love, holding onto the hope of peace and a brighter future. As students of Collège Notre Dame de Jamhour, we are determined to become the architects of a better Lebanon. This testimony is a pledge to never lose faith in the possibility of better days ahead. Mariel Haddad - 9th Grade

After weeks of intense negotiations, COP29 concluded at 2 AM on Sunday, November 24th, two days past its scheduled end. Despite hopes for significant progress, the conference yielded mixed results. Climate Finance Deal:Wealthy nations committed to increasing climate finance to $300 billion annually for countries most affected by climate change. However, this amount falls short of the $1.3 trillion deemed necessary or even the $500 billion minimum requested by many developing nations. While the UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the deal “a base to build on,” critics, including an Indian delegate, labeled it “a paltry sum.” Developed countries stressed that private investment would supplement this commitment. Fossil Fuel Transition:Efforts to expand commitments to transition away from fossil fuels faltered. Saudi Arabia successfully blocked language referencing fossil fuels in the final text, frustrating many delegates. One UN envoy voiced disappointment that the progress made at COP28 in Dubai was not carried forward, highlighting persistent challenges in securing consensus on this critical issue. Looking Ahead:As the dust settles, attention now shifts to February 2025, when countries are due to submit updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Experts and stakeholders are also calling for procedural reforms to make future COPs more effective. While COP29 made some progress, the gap between ambition and action remains significant, leaving much work to be done to address the escalating climate crisis.