The group of JCEP Provincial Eco-delegates had its first in-person meeting at the beautiful and welcoming Jesuit eco-spiritual centre Le Châtelard, near Lyon (France) on 11-14 April 2024. The group is formed by Eco-delegates appointed by the JCEP Provincials, in response to a request in early 2022 by Franck Janin sj (the then- President of JCEP), and started meeting online (once per trimester) in September 2022, under the coordination of the JCEP Social Delegate.  8 delegates were able to travel to Lyon, and 2 more joined the sessions online. The meeting counted also with the presences of Dalibor Renic sj (current JCEP President), a representative of the Secretariat for Social Justice and Ecology (SJES), the JCEP Delegate for Higher Education, the JCEP Delegate for Primary and Secondary Education and 4 people of the Ecology team of JESC (the Brussels-based social centre that supports the JCEP Social Delegate work).  The first day had a spiritual input by one of the Delegates and a short sharing by the JCEP President regarding the current Provincials’ approach of UAP4 in Europe, and then the presentation, by each Delegate, of the situation in each Province, structured according to the (ideal) job description of Eco-delegates and with a highlight of a provincial good practice. On the second day, the group embarked in a “theory of change” exercise, to map “where”, in terms of integral ecology, the Conference is now, and “where” the groups believes the Conference is called to be. This was followed by presentations of the different guest networks and projects, namely regarding JECSE, Kircher Network and SJES, and the 3 current Ecology advocacy and eco-transition projects of JESC (JESC Carbon Initiative, Future Generations Initiative and Our Daily Bread food systems-focused network). Key points taken from the meeting: The fact that the call for the “ecological conversion” is a spiritual and not only “ideological” or moral one, and this spiritual “rootedness in the Spirit” must be constantly nurtured and kept in mind. Jesuits and the Ignatian family can play an important role in helping the Church to develop the eco-spirituality that fosters this conversion. The acknowledgement that all European provinces are already taking steps towards this conversion, with effort and commitment, being important to respect the particular rhythm and possibilities of each one. At the same time, it was clear that change is fostered when means are allocated to it, and concrete plans of action at community, institution and Province level are designed, implemented and monitored. Finally, the recognition of the importance (and joy) of the small steps. It’s only normal that the journey of ecological conversion of each person and Province is not a fast or even sometimes clear one. But as many examples show, the main thing is to start, step by step. And then the Spirit will be able to guide and animate the way forward in this perhaps challenging but necessary change.

What does faith have to do with food policy? Extensively, concludes the latest research report from JESC. Faith-Based Organizations and European Food Policy is the result of research that began in July 2023 and sought to examine the involvement of faith based organisations across the European Union and their involvement in sustainable agriculture and food systems.  This study recognised over 150 organisations from various religious denominations across Europe and discovered an impressive array of organisations. Not only were these organisations varied in their work with the land, communities, research and involvement with the global south but were also varying in size. Whilst many of these organisations are involved in advocacy towards an EU level it is not so coordinated. The report argues that these organisations have a unique and grassroots voice to contribute to in the EU food debates concerning the Common Agricultural Policy, trade laws and others.  The report is available to view here and was written by JESC Ecology Officers Béla Kuslits and Colm Fahy with contributions from ELP intern Teresa Pallarés Ramos.  This report provides the foundations for the creation of a network called Our Daily Bread, of Faith Based Organisations advocating on the topic of food systems and sustainable agriculture at an EU level.  Please contact Colm Fahy (colm.fahy@jesc.eu) if your organisation is interested in hearing more about, or even consider joining forces, to this new JESC initiative. Click here to download and read our report

Between 28th February and 2nd March, 12 representatives of the network of Jesuit Social Centres in Europe gathered in Dublin for a three-day in-person meeting. The gathering aimed to develop a deeper common understanding of the issues at stake in the upcoming European elections, to share initiatives and identify possible collaborations. The question of preserving democracy in view of growing polarization and extreme views was at the centre of attention. Inputs from two experts, on the topic of interaction between migration and politics in Ireland and on impact-oriented communication, helped to deepen the debate. The meeting was also the occasion for the participants to discover the realities, challenges and accomplishments of Jesuit social works in Ireland, through meetings with the teams of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice (JCFJ) and of JRS Ireland. The participants also met with the Irish Provincial, Fr. Shane Daly, for a common Mass. Contributing to the success of the session was the outstanding Irish hospitality, orchestrated by the director of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, Kevin Hargarden, and the entire JCFJ team. To all, “go raibh maith agaibh” (“thank you” in Irish, literally “may good be at you”!) 

On February 22nd, the 10th cohort gathered at the Brussels Press Club to mark the culmination of their transformative journey within the ELP, proudly accepting their certificates as a testament to their dedication and growth over the past enriching five months. This graduation ceremony was honored to welcome José Manuel Barroso, former President of the European Commission, whose speech underscored the significance of resilience, advocacy for justice, and tangible commitment to our united Europe. The event was captured in a poignant video clip featuring key moments from Barroso's address, encapsulating the essence of the ceremony's inspirational atmosphere.You can watch the full live recording of the event here.  As the evening drew to a close, guests, speakers, Fellows, and their families and friends gathered for a small reception. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who attended, both in person and online, as well as our esteemed partners whose invaluable support has contributed to the success of the ELP.Special thanks are also extended to our dedicated coaches and mentors, whose guidance has been instrumental in nurturing the growth of our Fellows. Last but not least, we express our deepest appreciation to our Fellows and alumni for their unwavering commitment and meaningful contributions, which continue to shape the legacy of the ELP. Want a little sneak peak into this cohort's life in ELP? Have a look...

On February 21st, we inaugurated our campaign at Atelier 29 in Brussels. This hybrid event captivated an audience of over 150 attendees. Filipe Martins, SJ, the director of JESC, and Alberto Alemanno, the founder of The Good Lobby, unveiled the core motivations and objectives steering our coalition. Béla Kuslits, the Senior Ecology Officer at JESC, presented our trio of policy proposals:  An Interinstitutional Agreement safeguarding the rights of Future Generations. The appointment of a Commissioner for Future Generations, serving also as Vice President. The incorporation of a Future Generations Impact Assessment within the Better Regulations Guidelines. Following these insightful introductions, a panel discussion featuring eight coalition members delved into the social and political hurdles confronting our campaign. The dialogue highlighted the varied insights coalition members contribute to this advocacy endeavor, with a special focus on the pivotal role of youth organizations. The event concluded with a networking reception, where engaging conversations with our guests sparked promising opportunities for broadening our collaborative efforts.

The Our Daily Bread webinar, on January 25th 2024, provided a deep dive into the crucial role played by Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) in shaping sustainable agriculture across Europe. The starting point for the conversation was the conclusion of the research project that was carried out in the second half of 2023 by JESC. Béla Kuslits, JESC Senior Ecology Officer introduced the context, the results and the way forward as we envision the next steps of this work. With about one-third of the EU’s budget allocated to the Common Agricultural Policy, coupled with other impactful policies such as the Nature Restoration Law and Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive, the ecological and social implications of Food Policy are profound. Food is not only integral to our cultures, but its prices are among the most important economic and social indicators. What we eat, how we eat, and what is our relationship to the people who grow the food are all fundamental aspects of our societies.  Despite the clear message in Pope Francis’s Laudato Si, the need for more proactive measures remains evident. Indeed, FBOs could play a significant role in this space, thereby prompting the coalition-building initiative by JESC. We started with mapping FBOs who work in the field of food across the 27 EU countries. Our study revealed 150 organisations engaged in community works, advocacy, rural development, international development, direct land use, and research. Through their social media presence, they are reaching at least 1.6 million people, but the potential impact could be amplified even more, considering that 20% of the population in Western countries regularly attends church — a powerful demographic having the power to vote and influence.  The subsequent feasibility study among 30 organisations out of the 150 identified three primary areas of focus for sustainable agriculture within these groups: a vision of agroecology, lifestyle changes including dietary shifts and supply chain transformations, and solidarity with the Global South and rural Europe. Kuslits presentation: Faith-based Organisations in European Food Policy The second part of the webinar featured five distinguished speakers, each contributing a unique perspective: Dr. Stefan Einsiedel, from the Munich School of Philosophy, provided insight into the alarming escalation of pressure on our precious and limited resource – our land. He disclosed that a mere 29% of Earth’s surface constitutes land, with only 71% of it being habitable. Shockingly, almost half of this habitable land is already utilised for agricultural purposes, leaving only a small fraction untouched. The soil faces ongoing challenges, including shrinkage caused by new infrastructure, degradation, and desertification, among others. Safeguarding biodiversity necessitates the preservation of untouched ecosystems. Einsiedel presentation: How Socio-ecological Transformation can Succeed Dr. Suzy Serneels, the representative from Broederlijk Delen, brought attention to the unsustainable exploitation of natural and human resources within our global economy. She advocated for adopting a model, such as the doughnut economy, which considers the ecological ceiling whilst ensuring the preservation of social foundations. Stressing the significant role of food systems in crossing these boundaries, Dr Serneels emphasised the urgent need to address not only food production but also the power dynamics inherent within the food systems. Serneels presentation: Sustainable Food Systems Need System Change Johannes Moravitz, from COMECE, emphasised an integral understanding of ecology based on the Laudato Si’ encyclical, stressing the interconnectedness of economic, cultural, and social structures, as well as citing that humans should remain at the centre of solutions.  Juliette Maupas, from Église Verte, presented a practical eco-conversion tool for Christian communities, illustrating it with a long list of sustainable practices across 850 networks. Maupas presentation: Eglise Verte Communities & Sustainable Food Systems Finally, Ferenc Kiss SJ discussed the example of Hungarian rural gipsy communities and highlighted the need to revitalise agriculture to foster community bonds against poverty and the throwaway culture. The overarching theme emphasised the urgency for FBOs to unite and collaborate in advocating for sustainable agriculture, and actively contribute to shaping policies for a more resilient and equitable food system. The webinar served as a call to action for those vested in the intersection of faith and sustainable food systems, urging a united front in the pursuit of positive change. With this in mind, JESC envisions the possibility of creating a faith-based advocacy network on Food Policy, and will soon invite other partners interested in the cause, to discern together what the next steps might be.