The Kircher Network General Assembly of Presidents and Deans took place at Ignatianum University in Krakow, Poland, on 6–7 July 2026, bringing together leaders of Jesuit higher education institutions from across Europe and the Near East. The Kircher Network is the regional network, within the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU), that connects Jesuit universities and higher education institutions in Europe and Lebanon, fostering collaboration in teaching and research, Jesuit identity and mission, and joint academic initiatives. As a network operating under the auspices of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP), it plays an important role in strengthening cooperation among Jesuit higher education institutions and connecting their work with the broader apostolic priorities of the Society of Jesus in Europe. The Assembly provided an important opportunity to reflect on the Network’s development, deepen collaboration, and identify shared priorities for the coming years.

As a mission-driven platform, the Kircher Network sustains ongoing collaboration through three pillars: HEST clusters and groups advancing teaching and research, covering interfaith relations, ecology, secularization, well-being, and meaningful learning; programmes strengthening Jesuit identity and mission; and projects fostering academic collaboration on key topics through joint courses and training. This work formed the backdrop for the 2026 General Assembly of Presidents and Deans, held at Ignatianum University in Krakow on 6–7 July 2026.

Through two days of dialogue, reflection, and strategic planning, participants reviewed the Network’s progress, addressed shared challenges, and identified priorities for the year ahead.

The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from Tomasz Homa, SJ, President of Ignatianum University, and Philip Geister, SJ, President of the Kircher Network. Fr. Geister, with the support of Dr. Susana Di Trolio, Executive Secretary of the Kircher Network, presented the Network’s annual report, financial update, and Operational Plan for 2026–2027. Participants also received updates from Dalibor Renić, SJ, President of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP), and from the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU).

A central theme of the Assembly was the importance of strengthening collaboration with Jesuit universities in Africa and Madagascar. Following a presentation by François Kaboré, SJ, President of AJCU–Africa and Madagascar, and reports on current collaboration from the presidents of the University of Namur, Loyola University Andalusia, Jesuit Worldwide Learning, and Loyola Paris, participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation between Kircher member institutions, particularly French-speaking institutions, and their sister universities in Africa and Madagascar, in response to Arturo Sosa, SJ’s call for deeper collaboration.

The Assembly also featured two major reflection sessions. The first, “Democracy in Crisis and Europe’s Strategic Autonomy: Tensions Facing Jesuit Universities,” brought together Dr. Johannes Wallacher, President of Munich School of Philosophy; Dr. Annick Castiaux, President of the University of Namur; and Antonio Allende, SJ, President of Pontifical Comillas University. Their keynote presentations explored contemporary challenges for Jesuit higher education. Their reflections will be published in a special edition of the Kircher Network Newsletter in September.

The second day focused on how Jesuit institutions can reconfigure and collaborate in a time of transition. After an introduction by Geister, participants reflected on four institutional experiences presented by Bruno Nobre, SJ, Dean of the Faculty of Human Sciences at the Catholic University of Portugal; John Moffatt, SJ, Dean of the Heythrop Institute in London; Dr. Erik De Bom, Dean of UCSIA (Belgium); and Tobias Specker, SJ, Dean Delegate of the Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology. Small-group discussions allowed participants to further exchange experiences and lessons learned in reconfiguration, with the main insights from each group shared in plenary.