When I received the email to alert me to the 2020 Virtual Colloquium I was intrigued. The concept of a global virtual community of practice was something that I thought could be enormously powerful, offering great insight and shared knowledge. I am delighted that I decided to participate and join something that I think will only grow in size and importance.

One of the things that I love most about being involved in a Jesuit school and with the Jesuits in general is the interconnected network of Jesuit institutions around the world.  The Colloquium offered a chance to engage with and hear from this network. These are people in places that I would never normally have a chance to hear from. Each with a unique perspective of what it means to think, be and pray in a Jesuit context.

Through using the excellent video prompts I was able to consider my answers and then discern and consider the responses of someone from an entirely different context to my own. This was challenging and rewarding in equal measure. I certainly didn’t imagine that the videos would have such power and authenticity as prompts for thinking and action.

I enjoyed being able to think more globally but also to explore some of the backgrounds of the participants and their contexts. It’s only when you stop to consider the vastness and diversity of the Jesuit networks that you truly start to consider its potential as an agent for change (and your individual role within that).

One of my favourite things about the Colloquium is the use of social media as a tool for improvement and positive dialogue. The format showed that with good planning and clearly expressed common aims something really powerful could be created in a space which is all to often filled with selfish, individual opinions. The Colloquium is an experience that I would genuinely like to be able to share with others (particularly my students) allowing them a chance to explore the network they are a part of but also the true creative and expressive power of technology.

I am delighted that I gave the Colloquium a try and grateful to those who put it together. The preparation and thought put in by the organizers allowed me to have a meaningful and spiritual virtual journey without leaving my front door.