Reflection

On May 16^th, we celebrate the International Day of Living Together in Peace, but what is the significance of this celebration in Europe today, especially in our work with refugees and forced migrants?

We are invited to live together in peace, accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognize, respect, and appreciate others, as well as live in a peaceful and united way.

However, we all know that in many corners of the world, including Europe, there are situations of conflict, of injustice, which are not always resolved amicably.

The situation in Ukraine since Russia's invasion is a concrete example. After more than a year of armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the biggest humanitarian crisis in Europe since the Second World War has emerged, with millions of displaced people across the continent; mainly women travelling with dependents, children or elderly people.

Pope Francis has worked to bring about peace in the region, as well as offering to mediate in the conflict. Likewise, since the beginning of the conflict, the Society of Jesus has organised a coordinated response to accompany the large diaspora of displaced people: One Proposal.

Coordinated by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and the Xavier Network, and in collaboration with the 23 JRS country offices, NGOs, and local partners, the Society of Jesus has assisted and accompanied 56,042 people in the first year of the war and provided 82,111 assistance activities in areas such as emergency relief, shelter, psychosocial support, education, and integration.

During last months, we have built up the capacity in JRS country offices in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to best serve and accompany those in need. In some cases, by building capacity to be able to host more refugees, and in other cases by creating new delegations or broader frameworks for collaboration. The commitment that Jesuits, their institutions and the entire Ignatian family are making in these first months of conflict is commendable.

Another element that deserves special mention is the focus of our mission. In all this time, we have made a preferential option for those displaced Ukrainians who were most vulnerable, especially those who could not easily find assistance in other types of services.

Europe has taken a step forward with the protection and reception of displaced Ukrainians and we welcome this historic decision that has allowed millions of refugees immediate and collective access to protection, rights, and essential services in EU Member States.

This common political decision, which has been extended one more year, and the lessons learned from this experience, should serve as inspiration to extend the protocols and services within the asylum system to other displaced people with similar situations arriving in Europe.

In this context, we make our own the words of Pope Francis on the World Day of Peace 2023: “We also need to develop suitable policies for welcoming and integrating migrants and those whom our societies discard. Only by responding generously to these situations, with an altruism inspired by God’s infinite and merciful love, will we be able to build a new world and contribute to the extension of his kingdom, which is a kingdom of love, justice, and peace.”

In the more than 30 years since JRS Europe creation, we keep true to our mission by working towards a Europe where human rights, protection, hospitality, integration, and reconciliation all have a place to flourish within a larger vision for inclusive and welcoming societies. All 23 JRS offices share a common base of values and core competencies, working together through shared guiding principles, working channels, advocacy, and communication strategies.

We live in a world of persistent inequality, and despite Europe being one of the wealthiest regions, both the EU and its Member States continue to approach refugees mostly as a threat. Against the growing public anti-migration discourse, JRS’s commitment to a culture of hospitality remains more relevant than ever. We aim to contribute to this culture through our four priority programmatic areas: (1) social Inclusion and Integration, (2) access to Protection, (3) detention, and (4) awareness Raising.

Inspired by Pope Francis “In the poor, you have found a privileged place of encounter with Christ. This is a precious gift. (…) Share your hope wherever you are, to encourage, console, comfort and reinvigorate.” (Rome, 2019), JRS will continue to discover, redefine and reach out on behalf of forced migrants and refugees. For us, frontiers and boundaries are not obstacles or ends, but new challenges to be faced, new opportunities to be welcomed.

In our mission in Europe, JRS works in coordination with various civil organisations and institutions with which we share a common vision and mission, both inside and outside the Church.

In the case of the response to the conflict in Ukraine, JRS together with representatives of the world's leading Catholic-inspired organisations formed the "Catholic Response for Ukraine" (CR4U) working group to coordinate their actions. The aim of this working group is to generate a dialogue between frontline actors as well as organisations at the global level. This group is proof of a desire to work together and a necessity for joint coordination to maximize our positive impact.

At this point in the conflict, It is now time to look to the medium and long term recalling the EU not only maintains the support offered so far but to (1) reinforce the protection of children and guarantee their schooling, (2) not forget the third-country nationals and stateless persons residing in Ukraine who were forced to leave the country, (3) invest in medium and long-term integration solutions and, as mentioned, (4) promote equal treatment for all refugees.

International Day of Living Together in Peace serves as a reminder that peace is not simply the absence of conflict, but rather a positive and active effort to build relationships, foster understanding, and create inclusive societies. For refugees and migrants, who have often fled violence and persecution in their home countries, living in peace means being able to rebuild their lives and contribute to their new communities without fear of discrimination or marginalization.

As a Jesuit institution, we endorse the efforts of the international community on the International Day of Living Together in Peace to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity among refugees, migrants, and host communities. We believe that by working together and learning from one another, we can create a world where everyone is valued and respected, regardless of their background or origin.

On this International Day of Living Together in Peace, we call on governments and individuals around the world and especially in Europe to prioritize peacebuilding efforts and to ensure that all members of society, including refugees and migrants, are able to fully participate and contribute to their communities. Let us celebrate our differences and work together towards a more inclusive and just world for all.