The core mission at JESC (Jesuit European Social Centre) is to reflect on the life, policies and practice of the European Union. We seek an engagement which authentically expresses Christian faith, remains close to the poor and marginalised, analyses social reality with competence, and advocates for justice in European political structures. In a context in which the EU is undergoing the most acute political crisis of its existence, JESC seeks a critical but constructive engagement with the EU. As a work of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials, JESC expresses the commitment of the Society of Jesus to a Europe where human rights, freedom and solidarity are the foundation of integration.

Operationally, JESC is organized in four Secretariats:

    • - European Affairs: an institutional presence in Brussels to the EU Institutions, and with ecclesial and civil society organizations that relate to them, facilitating discussion and reflection of European issues.
    • - Justice: coordination and assistance to the four Justice Networks of the JCEP and support for the Delegate for the Social Apostolate of the Conference.
    • - Ecology: support for the advocacy work on integral ecology of Jesuits and partners under the umbrella of EcoJesuit; publication of “Eco-bites”, our ecology newsletter.
    • - Leadership: running of the European Leadership Programme (ELP), a five-month Ignatian based formation that combines European politics, the experience of living in community, and practical insights into the European institutions, and also spiritual reflection, coaching sessions and volunteering activities.

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As climate change continues to wreak havoc worldwide—from severe droughts in Southern Africa to unprecedented floods in Central Europe—the Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC) has announced a comprehensive campaign ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The campaign, which already started and runs until the end of the COP event on 22 November, marks an expanded collaboration of JESC with established partners Jesuit Missions (UK) and the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice (Ireland), now joined by African partners Jesuit Missions (UK) and the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice (Ireland), now joined by African partners: the Jesuit Centre for Ecology and Development (Malawi) and Centre Arrupe (Madagascar). These new additions bring crucial first-hand experience of climate change impacts on vulnerable communities. The campaign features three key initiatives: A resource-rich campaign webpage including a COP29 Guide and a Prayer Guide, Daily bulletins during the conference providing analysis of negotiations and side events, with registration being done on the campaign page, Also on the campaign page, a direct-action platform enabling citizens to petition their governments. Also, the Society of Jesus has issued a Global Statement endorsed by all six Conference Presidents and numerous Provincial leaders. The statement outlines three urgent calls for action during COP29, emphasising the critical timing as countries prepare to submit updated national climate plans under the Paris Agreement by early 2025. Individuals and institutions are wholeheartedly invited to join and sign.The Jesuits for Climate Justice initiative aligns with the broader Jesuit mission of fostering environmental justice and ecological care for our Common Home.
In response to the urgent challenges of our time and aligned with the ongoing Future Generations Initiative, the Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC), in collaboration with Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) and the University of Barcelona, organised a Future Generations Conference on October 3rd at UCLouvain’s Brussels campus. The event provided a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue on the political and societal responsibilities we face in shaping the future for upcoming generations. The goal of the conference was to explore and discuss how Future Generations should become represented in European decision-making. What are our political options to address intergenerational conflicts? How is society thinking about its long-term future? Is it legally, and ethically possible to represent them in the political process without their presence? What new methods, laws, and processes are necessary to address these questions? Morning Plenary: Thought Leadership on Intergenerational Fairness The day started with a lively presentation by Malcolm Fairbrother, a Sociology professor from Uppsala University in Sweden, questioning why many democracies fail to plan adequately for future generations, and examining many people’s distrust and disengagement towards this necessary concern. It was followed by a compelling keynote speech from Daniel Calleja Crespo, Director General of the European Commission’s Legal Service, who outlined what we can expect from the newly established role of the Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture, and Sport, and stressed the Commissioner’s horizontal role across policy areas, aiming to ensure that decisions made today are sustainable for the long-term future. After a short break, the morning session featured Iñigo González, associate professor from the University of Barcelona, who presented a paper on behalf of Charlotte Unruh, discussing institutional mechanisms that could be implemented to counteract the short-term focus of current policymaking. Maija Setälä, a political scientist from the University of Turku, explored how decision-making processes, when conducted without meaningful public engagement, often result in policies that do not resonate with the broader concerns of citizens – therefore highlighting the need for deeper participation to foster long-term vision. Interactive Afternoon Sessions: Tackling Key Themes After a refreshing vegetarian lunch, the conference transitioned into interactive afternoon panels, where attendees could engage directly with experts in smaller, focused discussions. Participants could choose between three panels: Participative Methods to Represent Future Generations, chaired by Judith Ferrando y Puig, who led the audience through a journey across 7 generations.  Future-Fit Economic Policies, chaired by Gael Giraud SJ, where both theoretical and already-existing foresight models were presented and discussed. Rights of Future Generations, chaired by Olivier De Schutter, who discussed the legal and moral imperatives of safeguarding the rights of those yet to be born, and how to best embed them into current legal frameworks, The discussions across these panels were rich with debate and aimed at finding actionable solutions to the challenges facing future generations.  A Day of Reflection, Joy, and Commitment The overall atmosphere of the conference was one of lively intellectual exchange, combining moments of joy with moments of deep concern for the future. The presentations from the key speakers were compiled and published in a special conference publication, which serves as a valuable resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of the themes discussed. The full agenda of the conference is available here. Finally, a short video capturing the essence of the day can be watched here, and the full recording of the morning plenary is also available here. 
From September 20th to 22nd 2024, the Passion for Europe Workshop gathered once again in the Jesuit Spiritual centre of La Pairelle near Namur, for its sixth edition. This year’s edition had for theme “European Democracy in the light of the War in Ukraine: something worth fighting for?” and aimed to explore the impact the Russian attack on Ukraine had on Europe’s understanding of its own democracy, and how it revealed its value, its strengths, and its weaknesses. Organised by the Passion for Europe group, a group of Christians of different nationalities and confessions involved in EU activities, in collaboration with JESC, the workshop brought together about 40 participants from all over Europe. As in previous years, the financial support from Renovabis enabled younger participants from Central and Eastern Europe to join the session, enriching it with more varied perspectives. Professor Antoine Arjakovsky, co-director of the Politics and Religions research department at the French Collège des Bernardins, was the keynote speaker of this edition. He started with a thought-provoking conference on Friday evening. Drawing from his experience as a diplomat in Moscow and Kyiv, as well as from his work in ecumenical theology, Prof. Arjakovsky offered a passionate account of the roots of the conflict, its complexity, and possible avenues to bring about a just peace. His open and frank input set the tone for later discussions. The next day, two panels continued exploring the topic. In the morning, Karl Heinz Lamberts, former President of the European Committee of the Regions, and Domenico Rossetti, Deputy Head of the Research and Innovation Unit at the Commission as well as Secretary General of the Belgian section of the European Union of Federalists, offered their assessments of the state of European democracy. They highlighted the challenge posed by populism and disenchantment in the European peace project but also offered some thoughts on how to bring citizens closer to the European Union’s institutions. The essential, but often undervalued, role played by cohesion policies was stressed in the discussion. In the afternoon, Sébastien Maillard, from the Jacques Delors Institute and Chatham House, Josianne Gauthier, from International Cooperation for Development Solidarity (CIDSE), and Edmond Grace SJ widened the perspective. From the role played by the EU on the world stage in the search for peaceful development to the renewal of local politics by citizens’ panels, they explored possibilities while acknowledging the very real challenges the EU faces today. At the forefront of their concerns was the danger of Europe adopting a purely defensive stance, economically and politically, at the risk of setting aside the values it was founded upon. The Passion for Europe workshop is not just about rich conferences and panels. Its interest also lies in the occasion it offers to participants to debate among themselves more in-depth, in smaller, mixed groups. And the more social times, during the breaks, the meals and the beer-tasting evenings, are also a key component of the experience. Over the weekend, they helped to create a trusting setting, allowing for deeper and more truthful discussions. Also, the weekend was wonderfully sunny, allowing participants to enjoy fully La Pairelle and its gardens and green surroundings.  More information on the workshop and the group “Passion for Europe” can be found on the group’s website at passionforeurope.com. Benoit Willemaers sjJESC Secretary for European Affairs
From Excess to Essence Last week, we had the opportunity to embark on a journey that reminded us of our childhood. We joined the Eco Summer Camp at the Lassalle-Haus, the birthplace of the Lassalle Institute – a renowned hub for education and research run by the Jesuits. The venue – located close to Zug in Switzerland and surrounded by green forests, local farms, springs, and lakes – was more than a perfect setting for a transformative week. Already in its fourth edition, the eco summer camp brought together over 40 participants with one central question in mind: How can we shift from wild consumption to responsible engagement? The program featured an inspiring lineup of speakers who covered a wide range of topics, from systemic change to agroecology and logistics. The organisers also thoughtfully designed the camp to engage both heart and mind, recognizing that real transformation happens on multiple levels, leading to deeper internalisation of knowledge.  On the cognitive side (without trying to provide an exhaustive list of all the learnings) we explored the circular economy and were introduced to Aristotle’s distinction between Oikonomia (economy) and Chrématistique (wealth accumulation). The distinction between Oikonomia that serves the common good, and Chrématistique that represents the pursuit of profit for its own sake, is a beautiful highlight of our one-sided and insufficient economic models that we currently use.  Another session focused on behavioural change, exploring how psychology can encourage more people to do the “right” thing. We learned that three key factors – Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation – must align to successfully shift behaviour. Given that change doesn’t occur in isolation but through connection, we discussed the need to move from “de-ligion” (disconnection) to “re-ligion” (reconnection) with ourselves, others, and the planet. Amidst these thought-provoking discussions, we also engaged our bodies through yoga and meditation, visited an eco-farm and forest, and took an excursion to the Zurich University of Applied Sciences to explore innovative water-based agricultural technologies. And in line with the camp’s principles, we embraced conscious lifestyle choices. The camp was proudly 100% vegan and coffee-free, reinforcing a holistic shift toward sustainable living. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the organising team for their dedication and hard work in bringing this unique experience to life. We look forward to picking up our discussions next year, right where we left off – gathered around the campfire
The 2024 edition of the Faith and Politics workshop has just concluded, having taken place from August 18th to 25th. Held every two years, the event gathers about 20 young professionals in Venice, Italy, for one week of formation and sharing. Most of the participants, originating from all over Europe, are active in the field of public service, would it be in politics, in public administration or with NGOs. The week, organised by three Jesuit social research centres (the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice in Dublin, Aggiornamenti Sociali in Milan, and the Jesuit European Social Centre in Brussels), aims to be more than just a moment of intellectual formation. Through a mix of conferences, testimonies, sharing groups and times of personal reflexion, the focus is on renewing the participants’ understanding of their own sense of mission, at the service of their communities and the common good. To help the participants, a few guests and speakers are invited to share the lessons they draw from their years of public service. This year, Václav Pláteník, deputy health minister in Czech Republic, Sylvie Goulard, former French MEP, Ana Sassetti Mota, a Portuguese civil servant and Emese Kovago, who runs the Hungarian Jesuit Refugee Service, all joined the group for a day. With great openness, they shared their hopes and difficulties, their motivations, and their beliefs. Rooted in the tradition of Ignatian spirituality, the workshop pays a particular importance on how what is learned, discussed, and shared actually impacts people at a personal level. A particular care is given to offer tools of spiritual discernment, helping to sort through one’s emotions and ideas and find deeper meaning. The relationships and human connexions built among those taking part in the workshop become an integral part of the experience. Thanks to those connexions, the week is more than a succession of speeches and sessions. Common meals, breaks and outings for a drink or an ice-cream are just as important as the more formal aspects. Building trust and understanding, they enable new depths of exchanges and discussions. The city of Venice, with its rich and varied history, its beauty, and its cultural opportunities, is also more than a pretty background; the shared exploration of the city concurs to bring the participants closer to one another. At the time of leaving Venice, many shared a similar sentiment: the feeling of having found a safe place where to open up and confide the difficulties of every day work, the doubts about the utility of one’s actions in the public sphere or the temptations of discouragement and disillusion. But also, and more importantly, the participants shared a sense of renewal, of a new start. There is no better outcome the workshop could aspire to.
On July 4th, we celebrated the 11th ELP Graduation of 19 outstanding Fellows at the International Press Club. It was a memorable event celebrated with friends, family members, and supporters of the ELP, a programme that advocates for personal growth and reflection in the middle of the EU capital, inspired by Ignatian formation.We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the keynote speaker, Paul Nemitz, principal advisor for Digital Transition at the European Commission, for his excellent and inspiring speech. His insights into how everyday reflection and engagement is needed to steer the development of AI in the best interests of the people of Europe provided a profound perspective that deeply resonated with all of us.  We also want to thank Dani Lakatos and Luisa Bemba for their excellent speeches on behalf of the current Cohort. There are only a few who are able to connect the Bible and Kung Fu Panda with such a style. :) And finally we would like to thank Silvia Compagno for her speech, who represented the Alumni community.Congratulations to all our graduates! We look forward to seeing the incredible things you will achieve in the future.