The Kircher Network brings together Jesuit universities and higher education institutions across Europe, fostering collaboration in research, teaching, and social engagement and providing the different local institutions with a higher level of agency and strategic stance, key in our global higher education world. Within this framework, HEST (Higher Education for Social Transformation) serves as a strategic platform of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials, promoting joint initiatives that respond to key societal challenges through Jesuit higher education.

Among its thematic priorities, the HEST Cluster on Ecology and Environmental Challenges has emerged as an important space for reflection and action on integral ecology, one of the four universal apostolic preferences of the Society of Jesus today. The Cluster is now entering a new phase of development. 

The Cluster had a recent important meeting in Brussels on January 15–16, 2026. We gather here the echoes of that meeting by the Cluster members themselves:

Following the successful meeting in Brussels on January 15–16, 2026, the HEST Cluster on Ecology and Environmental Challenges is moving forward, with the Coordinating Committee holding its first online meeting on March 4th to define next steps and set the roadmap for the 2026–2028 period, strengthening collaboration and joint initiatives across Kircher Network institutions.

New Coordination & Governance

To ensure geographical balance and shared ownership across the network, the coordination of the Cluster has been expanded. The Coordinating Committee now includes:

• Dr Richard Maroun (Université Saint-Joseph, Beirut), who kindly continues to chair the Committee.

• Dr Cristina Alonso (IQS - Universitat Ramon Llull).

• Dr Stefan Einsiedel (Munich School of Philosophy).

• Dr Susana Di Trolio (Kircher Network)

Strategic Committees & Key Actions

The meeting was pivotal in delineating the specific work of two core committees that will drive the cluster's mission:

• Education Committee: Focused on creating shared academic resources and integrating integral ecology into the curricula of member institutions.

• Community of Practice Committee: Aimed at sharing institutional good practices and fostering a collaborative space for social-ecological justice.

Among the key actions identified for the upcoming months are the launch of pilot webinars co-organized by member institutions, the production of shared multimedia materials, and the preparation for a major HEST Ecology Conference in 2027.

New LinkedIn Presence

We are also excited to announce the launch of the HEST Ecology Cluster LinkedIn account, a new space for real-time updates and networking. A special thank you goes to Jarosław Kucharski for his leadership and hard work in setting up and managing this channel, which will be vital for our communication moving forward.

Next Steps

The two committees will now hold regular meetings, beginning with their first online meeting in April, to put these goals into action. The aim is to broaden participation and engage more delegates from the 15 participating institutions.