08 July 2018
Bilbao Campus
The University of Deusto has everything in place to host the World Assembly of Jesuit Universities from 8 to 12 July in Bilbao. Chaired by the Father General of the Society of Jesus, Arturo Sosa, this event will be attended by some 300 rectors and authorities from over two hundred universities, colleges and Jesuit higher education institutions from all over the world. This will make Deusto the capital of Jesuit universities.
Under the slogan "Transforming Our World Together”, this meeting intends to prompt reflection and examination of some of the key challenges that Jesuit universities and the world are facing. Examples include political and civic leadership, environmental and economic justice, education for the most disadvantaged, peace and reconciliation and interreligious dialogue.
Setting up the new IAJU network
Leading figures like Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, Pankaj Mishra and Gaël Giraud SJ will speak at the Assembly. Subjects for the new IAJU governing board will be discussed and new possibilities for cooperation between universities, regional networks and within the international association itself will be analysed.
There will also be iconic moments such as the signing and setting up of the new International Association of Jesuit Universities-IAJU network at the Loyola Sanctuary. This association will provide the entire Jesuit university network with a legal status, structure and stability. It will give the world's universities new impetus.
The world’s leading Jesuit universities, like Georgetown University, Santa Clara University, Loyola Chicago, San Francisco University, Pontifical Gregorian (Italy), Xavierian University Bogotá, Iteso (Mexico), Catholic University of Córdoba (Argentina), Ateneo de Manila University or Sophia University of Tokyo, will take part in this world assembly. The first two assemblies were held in Mexico (2010) and Melbourne (2015).
The University of Deusto was chosen as the venue for the 2018 event out of a select group of candidate cities across the world. In this respect, holding the event here recognises and supports the University of Deusto and the city of Bilbao while setting up the Association opens up a world of new possibilities for Deusto's internationalisation and networking with universities from all over the world.
Programme
The academic events begin on Monday, 9 July at 9:15 with Cardinal Versaldi’s keynote address. At 11:00, the opening ceremony will take place with a talk by Cardinal Ravassi entitled “Catholic social teaching and the role of the Jesuit University today”. The six thematic areas will be presented at 14:15 and the group work will begin.
On Tuesday, 10 July, the political expert Pankaj Mishra will open the day's activities with a talk entitled: “Social and political fragmentation and the role of the Jesuit University”. At 14:15, the Jesuit economist Gaël Giraud will give a speech: “Economic Inequality and Environmental degradation and the role of the Jesuit University”. Group work and activities will continue with a focus on these thematic areas.
The venue for Wednesday, 11 July is the Loyola Sanctuary in Azpeitia. Arturo Sosa, the Father General of the Society of Jesus, will deliver a speech at 10:00: “The role of the Jesuit University and the call to reconciliation”. The signing to set up the new International Association of Jesuit Universities-IAJU will then be held. The Father General will spend the rest of the day meeting with different Jesuit groups.
Finally, 12 July will be devoted to presenting the projects that have resulted from the group work and at 14:30, the reports, conclusions and recommendations will be made public in the plenary session.
Further information:
- Website: http://iaju.deusto.es/.
- Newsletter: A daily account of the activities, photographs, videos and documentation created will be sent. Subscription to the newsletter: http://iaju.deusto.es/newsletter
- Social media sites:
Twitter (http://twitter.com/iajunews)
Facebook (http://facebook.com/iajunews)
Flickr (http://flickr.com/iajunews)
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1gPBpt2ERJUAAnTtVDD8QQ).
