International Commission on the Apostolate of Jesuit Education (ICAJE) Annual Meeting

The International Commission on the Apostolate of Jesuit Education (ICAJE) met in Rome from May 23rd to 26th. The annual meeting is an opportunity for the six Regional Delegates, the Secretary for Education and the Assistants to the Secretariat to come together, share the state of Jesuit Education in the world, the projects of the Secretariat and discuss initiatives which support the construction and consolidation of the Jesuit School network.

It has been a wonderful week of work with the Commission, I think, there is a common feeling of the special momentum in the Global Network at the moment which was evident when member presented a report with the featured news of his/her region. As well as the ongoing work after the Rio meeting, we also focussed on the discernment of the universal apostolic preferences. I think, it’s fair to say on behalf of the Commission, that we ended the meeting feeling challenged to keep working hard, but also, very reassured by the fruitful results of this period”  Assistant for Special Projects, Rafael Galaz.

At the end of the meeting, the Commission celebrated the Eucharist in the Camaretas also known as the “room of ignatius” the place were he spent his last days before passing away on July 31st, 1556.

The important topics covered in this meeting were:

(1) The evaluation and follow up of the Action Statement of the  International Congress of Jesuit Education Delegates (JESEDU-Rio2017)

(2) Educate Magis: the Commission had the opportunity to discuss the current development of this platform aimed to connect schools and allow for global collaboration at the service of the Mission. Some of the topics discussed were:

–          Annual report
–          New challenges

(3) The Commission took some time to reflect on the invitation of the Fr. General to discern on the Universal Preferences for the Mission of the Society, in the path of the decrees of the GC36 and the related documents. The suggestions which were brought forward will be presented to Fr. General.

(4) With the new inputs from JESEDU-Rio2017, the Commission resumed the discussion on the Education Delegate’s role description at the Provincial level and began a process to agree on some common fundamental requirements for the job. We also continued the conversation about the associated/partnered/endorsed/companion schools as they are classified in each region.

(5) Fr. Mesa, the Secretary for Education, could not be physically present but joined the meeting virtually, which was a new and positive experience. 

(6) The Secretary for Education presented the report on Jesuit Education today, the internal and external challenges and the current projects developed by the Secretariat. Each Regional Delegate presented an executive report of his/her own region.

Participants:

José Mesa, SJ – (virtual participation) Chair, Secretariat for Secondary and Pre-secondary Education
Rafael Galaz – Assistant to the Secretariat for Special Projects
William Muller, SJ – Director of the JSN- Canada and US
Brian Flannery – Member of the Steering Committee JECSE- Europe
Ilse Dekker – Future Director of JECSE -Europe
Sunny Jacob, SJ – Secretary for JEASA – South Asia
Saúl Cuautle, SJ – President of FLACSI – Latin America
Johnny Go, SJ – Secretary for Pre-Secondary and Secondary Education JCAP – Asia Pacific. Assistant to the Secretariat for Mission and Identity.
Joe Arimoso, SJ – President of JESAMED – Africa and Madagascar
Eamonn McGuinness – Director of Educate Magis