Music, dance, exhibitions, roundtable discussions, workshops, and a spirit of joyful togetherness once again defined the Udvar Festival in Arló this June. As in previous years, the courtyard of the Jesuit Presence House came alive with locals and visitors alike—including guests from beyond the border. Organized by a dedicated team of young adult and university volunteers, in collaboration with the Jesuit Presence Program staff, the festival aims to shine a new light on Roma culture and creativity in the heart of Borsod County. Udvar Festival has become a meeting point for people of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and languages, offering more than 20 varied events across two vibrant stages—located at the Jelenlét House and the Mustó Péter House. Each year sees growing attendance, with programming designed to engage all ages. Nationally recognized bands such as Góbé, Mistrzal, and Várkonyi Csibészek performed alongside local acts like the Arlói Vegyeskar, the Nőklub, and the dynamic Roma Big Band of local youth. A highlight was the Szimfolk Music Program, whose mentors—once participants themselves—guided a new generation of Roma musicians. Beyond music, the festival offered panel discussions, film screenings, art exhibitions, craft activities, and interactive workshops, creating an atmosphere rich in culture and dialogue. At the heart of the weekend was Jesuit spirituality. The festival began with a vibrant opening Mass at the Mustó Péter Community House, led by Fr. Szabolcs Sajgó SJ, who warmly involved participants of all ages. A closing thanksgiving Mass was held in the Arló church, where the unique melodies of the Gypsy liturgy echoed once again—just weeks after the visit of the Jesuit Father General in May. The 2025 edition of Udvar Festival was marked by freedom, authenticity, joy, and serenity. Children ran freely, teenagers waited nervously backstage, women tended to bubbling cauldrons, and volunteers worked tirelessly behind the scenes. For a few days in June, Vasút Street became Arló’s cultural main street, and visitors were given a unique window into the meaningful work of the Jesuit mission in this Roma community

As part of her outreach to humanitarian actors and local partners, Syrian Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Mrs. Hind Kabawat, visited the Jesuit Fathers’ Monastery in Homs. She met with Fr. Murad Abou Seif, Superior of the monastery, Fr. Tony Homsi SJ, Director of the Jesuit Cultural Forum and the Dialogue for Peace project, and Fr. Emile Takyi SJ, head of the Al-Mukhalis Center, along with staff engaged in social and educational programs. The visit began with a symbolic tribute at the grave of Fr. Frans van der Lugt SJ, the Dutch Jesuit known worldwide for his dedication to peaceful coexistence in Homs. “His memory remains a living conscience for all those who strive for peace and justice,” said Minister Kabawat. Discussions focused on the monastery’s longstanding humanitarian role and the importance of cooperation between religious institutions, civil society, and government bodies—especially in supporting vulnerable communities. Minister Kabawat toured several of the monastery’s initiatives, including technical education and social care projects, praising the team’s commitment and generosity. “Humanitarian work relies on true partnership across all sectors of society,” she affirmed. A key moment of the visit was a presentation of the Dialogue for Peace project, supported by UNDP Syria. Launched in Homs, the initiative brings together participants from diverse backgrounds to promote trust and dialogue across Syrian society. The Minister voiced her full support, noting, “This project may arise from pain, but it moves toward hope—hope for the change Syria needs.” The visit was described by organizers as a powerful gesture of encouragement and a boost to the initiative’s message of unity and peace. In closing, Minister Kabawat expressed deep appreciation for the monastery’s efforts and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting such initiatives through continued collaboration.

Brussels, 24 June 2025 — On this day, JRS Europe had the privilege of joining civil society actors, faith-based organizations, and frontline workers at the Voices of Hope event – a powerful gathering that amplified the lived experiences and aspirations of migrants and refugees in Europe. Hosted in Brussels, the event spotlighted inspiring initiatives supporting the integration and empowerment of displaced people, especially women and children. The event opened with a deeply personal reflection from Raymond A. Parcon, representing JRS Europe. He spoke not only as a member of JRS but also as someone who has lived the journey of migration firsthand. His words underscored the shared humanity that binds us all and the vital role of accompaniment in JRS’s mission. The Mariama Project: Empowering Young Women on the Margins Sr. Marie Vaillant, FMA, from the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco Ganshoren, presented the Mariama Project – a shining example of compassionate and targeted support for young migrant women. Aimed at girls aged 17 to 21, the project responds to the alarming vulnerabilities faced by migrant minors, particularly those at risk of modern-day slavery, exploitation, and social exclusion. Through six dedicated places in the Ganshoren boarding school, young women are provided not just shelter, but holistic care – including psychosocial support from the Umoya collective, educational guidance, and pathways toward work or further study. Sr. Vaillant highlighted the strength and courage of the girls in the program and called for greater attention to gender-specific migration challenges. The School of Peace: Building Bridges Through Education Mr. Natan Phuati Nzita, from the Community of Sant’Egidio, shared the impact of their School of Peace Project, which offers free, non-formal education to children, many of whom come from migrant or disadvantaged backgrounds. With warmth and conviction, Nzita described how the initiative fosters a culture of peace, where friendship, respect, and intercultural exchange flourish. In a time when children are often the most affected by forced migration, the School of Peace becomes a vital sanctuary. Language support, cultural engagement, and after-school tutoring help migrant children find a sense of belonging while improving their academic and social skills. The Livelihood Project: Restoring Dignity and Confidence Mr. Vincenzo Chiaiese, also from JRS Europe, closed the presentations with insights from JRS’s Livelihood Project, which supports socio-economic inclusion for refugees and migrants across Europe. Drawing from the latest regional report, Chiaiese highlighted best practices and shared stories of resilience and innovation from diverse local contexts. By centering the voices of those directly affected and promoting community-driven solutions, the Livelihood Project reinforces the importance of empowerment through meaningful work and education.  

On Friday, June 27th, Jesuits and lay collaborators from the works of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP) based in Brussels, gathered for a relaxed and joyful evening at the St. Benedict Community in Brussels. Colleagues from JCEP, JRS-Europe, JESC and the Chapel for Europe came together to enjoy a delicious barbecue and an array of delightful treats. The gathering offered a wonderful opportunity to connect across different works, while also welcoming the families of those involved—fostering a deeper sense of belonging and shared mission. As many Jesuits and staff prepare for summer activities, the evening served as a cheerful send-off and a “see you after summer!” We also took this occasion to say farewell to Hermínio Rico SJ, the socius of JCEP, who will soon be leaving Brussels. JCEP President Dalibor Renic SJ shared a few words of gratitude, highlighting Hermínio’s dedicated service, generous spirit, and the valuable contributions he has made to the Conference over the years. We extend our warmest thanks to the St. Benedict Community for their generous hospitality and for creating such a welcoming and festive atmosphere.      

Last week’s SB62 Bonn Climate Meetings, the annual UNFCCC climate conference held each June, marked a significant first: the Society of Jesus sent a coordinated delegation to participate in this crucial event, which serves as the halfway point between COPs. This pioneering Jesuit delegation, including Colm Fahy (JESC, Brussels), Cristóbal Emilfork SJ (University of California), Jörg Alt SJ (Jesuiten Weltweit, Germany), Filipe Martins SJ (JESC, Brussels), and Richard Solly (Jesuit Missions, UK), attended not only to observe and actively participate in preparation for COP30, but also to advocate for the three key calls of the Jesuits for Climate Justice COP30 campaign. The group was supported by the remote participation of Roberto Jaramillo SJ and Daniela Alba, respectively Secretary and Advocacy Officer from the global Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat, and delivered on a daily basis personal reflections, highlights of the negotiations and videos with partners.  The concluding sentiment of the event was that whilst some progress was made, much more remains to be done. SB62 proved to be a challenging conference, with many key climate justice demands largely deferred to COP30. While some progress was made on Adaptation indicators and a draft text emerged for Just Transition, the Global Stocktake saw limited advancement due to deep divisions. Crucially, climate finance remained a major sticking point, with calls for debt cancellation and a robust Loss and Damage Fund facing resistance, leaving significant work for COP30. Overall, the conference highlighted the urgent need for global leaders to take decisive action and adequately fund poorer countries for a sustainable transition. It was obvious to observers like the Jesuit delegation that many powerful countries, such as Saudi Arabia, which have much to lose from climate legislation, used the conference as a means to delay decisions. The conference also grappled with many ‘elephants in the room’, with climate migration being a prime example. This was one of the significant observations of the participants of a side event on Climate Change and Climate Migration organised by the Jesuit group, which powerfully demonstrated a unity amongst attendees. In the event, experts Dr. Samuel Zewdie Hagos and Dr. Jörg Alt SJ led a discussion highlighting how the media often misrepresents extreme weather events in the Global South as “natural disasters,” obscuring their root causes. They also underscored the mutual interest of both the Global North and South in bold climate responses. Climate migration, a seldom-addressed but increasingly urgent issue already displacing millions, sparked a lively discussion (whose raw footage can be seen here, with both presentations available here and here), reinforcing the Catholic Church’s commitment to advocating for marginalised communities. The Jesuits for Climate Justice presence in Bonn in 2025 might be viewed as a ‘drop in the ocean’ in terms of our impact on climate activism, but the presence of church actors, and indeed the Jesuits, should not be underestimated. At a time when populism and other factors are delaying measures on climate change, it is more important than ever that faith groups come together to push the moral imperative of protecting our common home and the poorest who suffer most from this crisis. Colm FahyJESC Ecology Advocacy Officer 

From June 4–6, 2025, Universidad Loyola hosted the HOPE25 International Congress, titled “The Jesuit University in the 21st Century: A Project of Hope for the World.” The event brought together over 300 researchers from Jesuit universities across 32 countries, who presented more than 260 scientific contributions addressing today’s global challenges through the lenses of education, science, and faith. Organised in collaboration with UNIJES, the Kircher Network, and the IAJU, the congress emphasized the Jesuit commitment to forming hopeful, socially responsible global citizens. Participants explored topics ranging from climate justice, democracy, and spirituality to innovative pedagogies and artificial intelligence. Notable speakers such as Joseph Christie SJ, Daniel Innerarity, Alicja Gescinska, and Nancy Tuchman underscored the need for interdisciplinary research and transformative action inspired by the Universal Apostolic Preferences and the Laudato Si’ encyclical. The congress concluded with a renewed call to view higher education and university research as powerful tools to build a more hopeful, just, and sustainable future.