IAJU 2025 - Assembly IAJU 2025 - Portal Universitario

OUR MISSION IN CHALLENGING TIMES

Three years ago in Boston, Fr. General Sosa, S.J., asked the delegates of our higher education apostolate to begin a discernment regarding what is unique to our Jesuit institutions. That is, what is special about a Jesuit education that characterizes our way of responding to the needs and challenges of our day?

In his opening address to the IAJU delegates at Boston in 2022, Fr. General, Arturo Sosa, S.J., began his remarks on the purpose of the gathering with these words:
“We (are here to) seek a discernment that leads to shared decisions about what characterizes the universities, colleges, institutes and faculties that are members of this international Association. In other words, we seek to answer the question of what is particular to our institutions, what is that “special” or “unique” quality that characterizes their mode of inserting themselves in the present moment in the construction of the desired future.”
And, after raising this key question about what will make Jesuit education truly unique, Fr. Genera stressed that our approach (to offering something unique) must be found through the particularly Jesuit way of proceeding.

“We seek a discernment that leads to shared decisions about what characterizes the The purpose of IAJU’s Javeriana, Bogota’ Assembly is to advance this discernment. universities, colleges, institutes and faculties that are members of this international Association. In other words, we seek to answer the question of what is particular to our institutions, what is that “special” or “unique” quality that characterizes their mode of inserting themselves in the present moment in the construction of the desired future. (Fr. General, Arturo Sosa, SJ, “ August 4. 2022, Boston College,)

At this Assembly ’25, at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogota, we call on the Spirit and our leadership to write the next Chapter of Jesuit higher education history, responding to the question Fr. General posed: What is it that Jesuit Universities hope to offer a world that is facing unprecedented developments in technology and the delivery of knowledge while experiencing the rapid degradation of the resources of the planet, a degradation that is leading to the deterioration of eco systems and impacting social cohesion around the globe? These challenges have already impacted democracies and their ability to include all voices and insure equality of access and opportunity. These challenges have led to unprecedented migration and displacement of people. Those younger people whom we serve have evidenced a sense of hopelessness and frustration that we must address.

Assembly ‘25 offers us an opportunity to explore together the parameters of these issues and to ask how a Jesuit University might incorporate into its academic offerings for students the knowledge, the tools, and the dispositions to address the world’s greatest needs and the human heart’s deepest desires. As Catholic and Jesuit universities and faculties of various sciences, we are committed to the unity of knowledge wherein each discipline has a role to play in addressing our critical challenges, and where the humanities have a special role to play in how we as believers have a message of redemption that fills us with hope.

Assembly ‘25 will ask experts and delegates to reflect on and offer concrete suggestions for how a Jesuit university may contribute to the preparation of young leaders for society and how it might expand knowledge and understanding of the challenges and potential solutions. The Plenary Sessions and workshops are designed to allow for exchange of ideas, best practices and encourage collaborations. Our individual and collective responsibility then, is the focus of the Assembly 2025 at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota’.