Jesuit Refugee Service 40th Anniversary Video

In 2020, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) recognized 40 years of accompanying, serving, and advocating for refugees and displaced persons. Founded in 1980 by Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ, JRS operates today in over 56 countries worldwide.

This video highlights the work JRS has done over the last four decades, expressing JRS’s commitment to continuing to provide service to refugees, and honoring those who’ve helped JRS along the way. Educators can use this video as away to help students learn about the mission of JRS and what it means to accompany refugees and displaced persons.

This video features the story of Lual Mayen. Lual is a former refugee from South Sudan. As his parents fled South Sudan during the Second Sudanese Civil War, Lual was born along the 200-mile journey to a place of refuge. He built his first video game in a refugee camp and was supported by Jesuit Refugee Service. Since then, he’s traveled the world speaking about the power of video games for peace. In 2018, Lual was recognized as a Global Gaming Citizen, an individual bringing people together through video games.

Other speakers include (in order of appearance):

  • Fr. James Martin, SJ
  • Fr. Leo O’Donovan, SJ – JRS/USA, Director of Mission
  • Joan Rosenhauer – JRS/USA, Executive Director
  • Katie Ledecky – US Olympic Swimmer, Gold Medalist
  • Salama Africa – Dance Crew from Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Malawi
  • Heba Al Basha – JRS Lebanon, Country Director
  • Filippo Grandi – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Lual Mayen – Founder & CEO of Junub Games