On 16–17 June, colleagues from across Europe working in advocacy and communications gathered in Brussels for the annual meeting of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Europe network. Based in Brussels, JRS Europe – regional office of JRS in Europe under the European Conference of Provincials – coordinates advocacy, policy engagement and collaboration among JRS country offices, supporting the Society of Jesus' mission of accompanying, serving and advocating for refugees and other forcibly displaced people across the continent.

The two-day meeting provided an opportunity for participants to reconnect, exchange experiences and strengthen collaboration between the advocacy and communications teams. Through a combination of joint and parallel sessions, participants reflected on current priorities, shared best practices and explored how the two fields can work more closely together to increase the impact of JRS' mission.

Key topics included developments in national and European advocacy, collaboration with the JRS International Office, effective fundraising communication, campaign development, and the relationship between advocacy and public narratives. Participants also discussed the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, identifying common priorities for the JRS Europe network as the new Common European Asylum System enters into force, while communications colleagues reflected on the ethical use of artificial intelligence and responsible storytelling.

The meeting reaffirmed that effective advocacy and communication go hand in hand. By combining policy expertise with compelling, human-centred narratives, JRS Europe aims to strengthen its common voice and better accompany refugees while promoting a more just, welcoming and humane Europe.