In a world that continues to face complex challenges, two online meetings brought together students from different Jesuit schools across the globe to discuss pressing issues and promote change. «Global Voices for Human Rights» and «Global Voices for a Sustainable Future», two Connected Classroom activities supported by our global educational Jesuit network Educate Magis where young people from different countries and diverse backgrounds, despite language barriers, met to shed light on the global challenges of human rights and environmental degradation. These activities, organized on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the face of climate change, demonstrated the dedication of these students and their ability to learn from one another, all while emphasizing the unity of our Ignatian community.

This initiative was taken by two teachers from Colegio San Ignacio A.O. in Santiago de Chile, Erik Bylund and David Chamorro, as a joint venture with the global community of Educate Magis. It highlights the importance of educators in the Ignatian world becoming protagonists of learning and the relevance of the concept of Global citizenship.

Students from Colegio San Ignacio Alonso Ovalle, Santiago de Chile, St Aloysius Gonzaga School, Mangalore, India, Zespol Szkol Jezuitow im. sw. Stanislawa Kostki w Gdyni, Gdynia, Poland participated in both meetings, whereas students from Prepa IBERO Puebla, Mexico took part in the meeting on human rights, and students from Colégio Santo Inácio Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and students from Colegio Kostka de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain participated in the meeting on environmental issues. The meeting on human rights took place on Tuesday 26 September, and the one on environmental issues on Monday 2 October.

At the heart of these gatherings was the opportunity for students to share their experiences and learn from one another. The format of the meetings allowed each school to present themselves, their country, and their unique context. These introductions were followed by discussions on the prevalent human rights issues in their countries or the environmental challenges facing their cities. It was inspiring to witness students from diverse backgrounds highlighting their respective issues, revealing common threads and shared concerns among them. Through these conversations, they discovered that human rights violations and environmental challenges know no borders. This realization cultivated a sense of global responsibility and solidarity, as these young individuals came to understand that their collective efforts could bring about meaningful change.

The success of these meetings can be attributed to the remarkable preparation and dedication of the participating students. Despite none of them being native English speakers, they tackled the challenge head-on, showcasing their commitment to the topics at hand;  well-prepared and organized, they followed the provided instructions diligently, proving that language is no barrier to fostering global connections.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the students, teachers and school leaders who participated in these important events, as well as the Educate Magis coordinators who made everything possible. Their dedication and willingness to invest time and effort into these gatherings have not only enriched our own understanding but also inspired others in our Ignatian community.  We have learned, we have inspired, and we have strengthened our bonds as a global community. With gratitude and hope, we look forward to the future, knowing that we are united in our pursuit of a more just and sustainable world.

I would like to invite you to watch the two summary videos which show the student´s presentations and the reactions and reflections, both in human rights issues and environemntal issues facing other countries shared by the students.

Global Voices for Human Rights 

Global Voices for a Sustainable Future