Between 29 December and 3 January, the city of Cordoba hosted the annual meeting of le Groupe des Deux Rives (GDR), a space for life and mission that brings together Jesuits posted in Algeria, Morocco, Turkey, and Europe. The gathering, charged with symbolism due to the setting of the Mosque-Cathedral and contact with local actors such as the Halal Institute, a commission of canons, and the diocesan delegate for interfaith relations, served to carry out a profound diagnosis of the Society of Jesus' presence in Muslim contexts and to respond to the strategic call of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP). In fact, dialogue with Islam is one of the fields in which the need for a European approach, and the work of the JCEP, is most needed, given that the problem is transversal to the majority of the countries in Europe and that no Province would have the resources by itself to face it with minimum rigor.

One of the milestones of the meeting was the visit of Gonzalo Villagrán, Socius to the President of the CEP, given the GDR's standing as a key "Eurogroup" for European apostolic planning. Villagrán urged the members to contribute their "treasure" of experiences at a time when dialogue with Islam, although present on the institutional agenda since 1999, faces serious difficulties due to the decrease in personnel in the provinces.

During the sharing sessions, the participants shared an honest vision of the reality in their destinations. They pointed out critical issues such as the precariousness of the Jesuit communities, and the wear and tear derived from the overload of management duties in countries with complex socio-political and ecclesial contexts. Likewise, they analysed the change in the climate of the Society: from the enthusiasm for interfaith dialogue 30 years ago (General Congregation 34) to the current commitment to the preservation of Christian identity and the transmission of the faith, due to secularisation, the "fear of the other", and restrictions on religious freedom.

In the sphere of social work, the GDR reflected on the management of the works of the Church served by the Society. The group advocated for a model that combines care for the charism and mission of the Church with professional management standards, especially when the greater good—agile and effective responses to challenges such as migration crises or humanitarian emergencies—is at stake.

Looking to the future, the GDR has proposed contributing to the Society in Europe the learning from practical collaboration with Muslims in projects of justice and shared citizenship, rather than the theological justification of interfaith dialogue. To this end, under the framework of Jesuits Among Muslims (JAM), it would design a professional communication strategy offering a realistic testimony "without naivety" to an increasingly closed European society.

The Group wishes to meet in Rome at the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027, returning to the sources of the Society to refine the discernment of the challenges facing the Jesuit presence on both shores of the Mediterranean and to receive a renewed and explicit mission.