Assembly of the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) 2018
July 9th – 12th
Deusto University, Bilbao, Spain
The Assembly of the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) 2018 from the 9th to the 12th of July was attended by more than 300 rectors and leaders of the main Jesuit universities and colleges of the world and 21 of them are representing AJCU-AP. It was hosted by Deusto University, Bilbao, Spain. After the IAJU assembly, on the 13th of July the AJCU-AP delegates organized a conference in the same venue.
It was chaired by the Fr. General of the Society of Jesus, Arturo Sosa SJ, with the motto: “Transforming Our World Together”. The event features keynote speakers, such as Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, Pankaj Mishra and Gaël Giraud SJ. During the meeting resolutions for the new governing board of IAJU was discussed and new possibilities for collaboration between universities, regional networks and the international association itself were analysed. There were also be moments of great symbolic significance, such as the signing and constitution of the new IAJU network in the Loyola Sanctuary.
The official website of the assembly is http://iaju.deusto.es/
It provides all documents, pictures, and videos of the assembly. The news section of the website (http://iaju.deusto.es/category/news/) provides day 1 to day 4 activities and summary of the keynote speeches. The Charter of IAJU that was signed by the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, the Secretary for Higher Education, and six representatives of the regional associations, including Johanes Eka Priyatma, Ph.D representing ACJU-AP is downloadable from http://iaju.deusto.es/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Charter-International-Association-of-Jesuit-Universities.pdf .
The important documents such as, the keynote address from Fr. Arturo Sosa, Cardenal Ravesi, Opening Speech of King Felipe VI, and other speeches are available for download from http://iaju.deusto.es/press/ . This link also provides other documents such as news letters and press releas from the assembly.
During the assembly two conversations were alloted for the AJCU-AP delegates to discuss the IAJU Charter and its priorities. The input and feedback for the Charter was presented by the CEO of AJCU-AP together with the representatives from other regions on the last day of the assembly. AJCU-AP delegates also voted for two representatives, Johanes Eka Priyatma and Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin to become the representatives in IAJU. On day 3, all AJCU-AP delegates had a 45 minutes conversation with The Father General Arturo Sosa before celebrating mass at Basilica of Loiola. The closing mass at the Gothic Chappel of Deusto and dinner at Deusto University concluded the assembly. Photos and videos of the event can be found in the following link: http://iaju.deusto.es/media/videos/
Monday (14/5), a representative from Instituto São João de Brito, East Timor, started his first training at Sanata Dharma University library. This training is one of the cooperation between Sanata Dharma University and Instituto São João de Brito where both are in the AJCU-AP (Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in Asia Pacific).
Sanata Dharma University as the host of SLP 2012, presented the theme “One Earth Many Religions: Constructing Dialogue and Solidarity towards the Integrity of Creation.” This theme is embracing two global concerns: environment and religious pluralism, which is highlighting on understanding the socio-ecological issues, based on the experiential learning in various religious communities.
life; it destroys cultures and sinks the poor in misery. ‘Education of Constructive Dialogue’ is imperative for the Youth formation especially in a rich and multicultural country, like Indonesia yet lack of appreciation of nature and cultures. The richness of both nature and culture within local and national context challenge the community to build a constructive dialogue. The classic understanding of ‘tolerance’ has been proved to be inadequate or was considered minimal in dealing with the growing social problem. Sanata Dharma University, in a mutual effort with the communities offers an opportunity for the students from every discipline to develop their conscience, commitment and compassion with those in need. It takes the participants to communities and institutions partnered by the academic institution in its pursuit to facilitate the student to construct their ability in promoting dialogue through working out a program or internship in specific social circumstances, villages or rural areas around the Campus. The goal of Education of Constructive Dialogue is to draw the student experiencing to be women and men for and with others.