Fe y Alegria Congress

One of the largest Jesuit initiatives in education is Fe y Alegría, which also has a presence in the European Jesuit Conference, particularly in Spain and Italy. On October 21-22, delegations from over 22 national organizations gathered at the Congress in Quito, Ecuador, to share insights and reflect on the challenges and opportunities of popular education, which Fe y Alegría now provides across four continents. Participants also had the chance to visit some Fe y Alegría schools and projects near Quito, gaining firsthand insights into the organization’s impact.

As a member of the Fe y Alegría Assembly, the President of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP) was invited to participate in the congress and subsequent events, where he had the opportunity to share a few words at a meeting with the national directors.

During the Congress, Fe y Alegría International officially launched its campaign, "For the Right to Learn." This initiative seeks to mobilize efforts among governments, civil society, businesses, and other key stakeholders to ensure universal access to quality education. This important launch took place at Ecuador's Ministry of Education, where participants were warmly welcomed by the Minister.

The third major event was the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Fe y Alegría Ecuador, the second-oldest national organization after Venezuela’s. The celebration began with a solemn Eucharistic celebration at San Gabriel Church, presided by the Provincial of Ecuador, and concluded with a formal ceremony at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador.

During these joyful occasions, participants remembered those country representatives who, due to challenging and often dangerous circumstances, were unable to join the gathering in Quito.