“Jesuit International Education Conference” Universidad Alberto Hurtado November 8, 2017 Words of welcome Dear participants of the Jesuit International Education Conference, First of all, I would like to thank the Alberto Hurtado University and its president, Eduardo Silva, for this invitation and their invaluable help in organizing this meeting. I would also like to greet Mr. Gerardo Marín who comes in representation of Fr. Michael Sheeran to this event. I wish to congratulate the universities of AJCU and AUSJAL for sharing the responsibility and joy of helping to bring us together for a few days to get a glimpse of the future. The decision of the AJCU to organize its annual meeting in a Latin American country every two years is reinforcing a good tradition. My initial words are focused on two issues: 1. GC 36 and networking; 2. Walking to Bilbao. 1. GC 36 and networking: GC 36, in its Decree 2, upholds this tradition by indicating that "collaboration naturally leads to cooperation between networks" (n. 8). This refers to the potential of all well-oriented networks, and the decree goes on to emphasize that the Society of Jesus´ governing bodies should encourage the establishment of networks where they do not yet exist or their reinforcement in those regions where they have been developing for a long time. The latter is the case of the AJCU and AUSJAL cooperation here in Santiago de Chile that meets once again to work together on common issues. Just yesterday, I was invited to push the kick off the meeting of the Dual Immersion Program convened by both presidents. An excellent meeting that gathers the very good fruits in 22 of our Universities, in the last ten years. An initiative that deserves our full support. Regarding the networks, Decree 2 number 8 refers to something unusual when this term is normally used in other contexts. The decree points out that networking involves not only a shared vision, but also a “culture of generosity”, and specifies that this culture of generosity is “openness to work with others and a 1
desire to celebrate successes”. The idea of the “culture of generosity” applied to the work of networks does not proceed, certainly, from the linguistic universe of strategic planning. It refers to another conceptual framework: It comes from the evangelical and Ignatian spirituality. Networking implies, in terms of the Spiritual Exercises, “to go out of his self-love, will and interest” (n. 189). The Ignatian networking is not, ultimately, the result of negotiations between the parties, based on the calculation of cost-benefit, which only weighs advantages or disadvantages. If it were the case, we would be soon trapped by our institutional differences and asymmetries. The Ignatian networking is built on solidarity as its "principle" and the culture of generosity as its "foundation". This is the guide of GC 36. 2. Walking to Bilbao: It is important to keep in mind that we are heading towards building an International Association of Jesus Universities: the IAJU. The initial draft of the IAJU speaks of the "preferential option for the poor", of "economic and environmental justice", and of "bringing higher education to the marginalized". These ideas are consistent with the last General Congregations, and give a particular character to the future network and to any Jesuit network. A character which is in accordance with our way of proceeding. However, there are risks that these ideas and way of proceeding can disappear in the course of debate or will not be taken into account with the resolve they deserve. So, to avoid these risks, leadership is a key factor. It is important that leaders be aware of the imperative need for this collaborative work given the complexity, speed and globalization of the changes that are taking place in our countries, and in the context of universities. We must not only collaborate for reasons of shared identity (“sister universities”); we must collaborate so that all universities can continue to fulfill their mission, as Christian-inspired institutions. Really, we are “companions universities” in and for the mission. In a time when the word "network" has become commonplace, our emphasis must be placed on the Ignatian approach that should permeate our networks. Only then will they be in fact distinctive and significant. Hence the joint effort that is observed throughout the Society. The Decree 2 of GC 36 provides the formulation and discourse for the practice of networks that, at least in Latin America, has been in existence for several decades.
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With the creation of the IAJU, we seek to make a great new global leap. The proposed strategy includes the strengthening of the existing university networks in each region (AJCU, AUSJAL, etc.). It also implies the creation of networks in regions where there are none, (for example, the creation of the association of Jesuit universities in Europe). The strategy of creating effective regional associations is crucial for the IAJU to have a solid foundation and not become a centralist and vertical superstructure. We must keep in mind that advancing in the development of a more global structure does not mean to produce “standarized universities�; on the contrary, the global network will be enriched by recognizing the particularity of their options, strategies and priorities and so of each regional association. In general terms, this is the road map that is being proposed and will be discussed by all the Jesuit universities, with the participation of Father General, in the global meeting in Bilbao. Needless to say that AUSJAL is going to continue collaborating decisively in achieving this goal.
This meeting in Santiago, which precedes the meeting in Bilbao, should be a step forward in that way. Therefore, it is important to point out already in this meeting the potential projects or initiatives of concrete collaborations among the attending universities. They can be presented as suggestive initiatives in Bilbao. Thus, we can achieve the goal of our event: "Next steps towards collaboration". I wish you success in that endeavor. Ernesto Cavassa, S.J. AUSJAL President
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