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s2smodern

The Second Cohort of the European Leadership Program Fellows has graduated. 

The Fellows defended their research papers in the facilities of the University Centre Saint Ignatius Antwerp UCSIA. The jury was integrated by Professor of Theological Ethics at KU Leuven & Director of the Centre for Catholic Social Thought Johan Verstraeten; JESC Secretary for Leadership Botond Feledy; JESC Director Peter Rožič SJ; Europe and Solidarity Project Coordinator Barbara Segaert and UCSIA Director Stijn Latré.

After completing their five-month interdisciplinary European Leadership Programme, the Fellows had a closing evening ceremony. It was hosted by the venue at Matteo Ricci College.

Alain Deneef, Director of the Matteo Ricci College, gave the welcoming speech and gave the Fellows some background of the School: “Matteo Ricci was the father of inculturation. This is precisely what Jesuits stand for in education. It is a bidirectional learning process; We convert and are converted; acceptance and values.”

Stijn Latré, Director of the University Centre Saint-Ignatius Antwerp UCSIA highlighted  in his following welcome speech, some of the values cherished by UCSIA, following the Society of Jesus approach to education and sharing one of the ELP Programme´s fundamental pillar: "UCSIA´s education includes Community Service Learning, which is an important pillar for the Society of Jesus."

“Why is this day special? Because it is an important step, marking your future. Like the furrow. You have been marked by excellence, magnanimity, and humility. Now, on you to make it happen in the weeks, months and years ahead.”- asserted solemnly JESC Director Peter Rožič SJ, who showed his gratitude about the end result of the Programme and encouraged the Fellows to continue building on their pathway of self-growth.

After the welcome speeches, the Ceremony was continued with a short video of the Fellow´s testimonies and impressions of their experience with the ELP Programme.

Frans Van Daele was the invited keynote speaker. Among his various professional experiences, he served as the Head of Cabinet for Herman Van Rompuy during his presidency at the EU Council. He reflected on the EU model and highlighted that as Europeans we each have an individual commitment: “The EU is a collective responsibility. As Europeans, we should ask ourselves ´Can we do better to encourage a more united Europe?` We cannot let our European model die.” The Fellows listened closely and made a few questions to initiate a short discussion.

Botond Feledy closed the round of speeches by addressing the Fellows on the core values of the Programme: “Words like ´Community` from now onwards will not mean the same to you. [...] We hope you continue your paths by engaging, bringing communities in disruption together. The purpose is that you see the ´Man` behind the people.”

The ceremony concluded with a reception to share among those present anecdotes from the moments they spent together for the ELP months.

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s2smodern