New Collaborative Platform: Jesuit.Network

• The Jesuit Networking initiative has launched a new web platform, , a dynamic space to study, systematize and foster international networking among Jesuit institutions.
• On the new site, users can find the first global map of international networks related to the mission of the Society of Jesus; At the time of launch, there are 81 in total.  
• The website launch is also accompanied by the release of the document “,” which shares reflections from the second international gathering on networks to catalyze connections between practitioners, researchers and governance officials of the Society of Jesus.

The Jesuit Networking project was launched in 2012 in coordination with the Secretariat of Collaboration to promote reflection on the topic of networking and to accompany and foster international collaborative initiatives within the Society of Jesus. Encouraged by the call of recent General Congregations to promote networking as a new way of proceeding for the Society, efforts have been focused on sharing relevant tools, research, and stories as well as holding workshops and conferences to encourage a culture of collaboration and strengthen common initiatives.

The project, supported by diverse jesuit institutions, moves forward transforming itself in to serve as a platform to give visibility to the ecosystem of international networks linked to the Society’s Universal Mission. Through the dissemination of information and collaborative calls to action, in both English and Spanish, the site offers a dynamic space to build on the challenges and lessons learned from collaborative efforts and support stronger network structures that will lead to greater impact and efficiency. Network leaders will have the opportunity to publish and dialogue about their collaborative experiences in a concerted manner with other experts and users of the site.

“This is not a platform for general information about the work of the Society of Jesus, but about the current apostolic networks and our collaborative efforts. Our audience are all those who are passionate about the world of networks and creating cultures of collaboration at the service of the Jesuit Mission,” says Daniel Villanueva SJ, coordinator of Jesuit Networking. “This website seeks to engage a community of people motivated by the importance of collaborating more and better, because we believe that together we can strengthen the ‘wirearchy’ of the Society of Jesus.”

Jesuit.Network comes at a time when regional and international collaboration is needed more than ever in order to accompany the recently published Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus, which include: discernment and the “Spiritual Exercises”, walking with the excluded, caring for our common home, and journeying with youth. As Villanueva explains, “Networking is not an aim in and of itself, but rather a powerful means to carry out our mission in an uncertain and complex context, and a helpful way to work together as an apostolic body that embraces our diversity.”

The new site also serves as a resource library with the latest documents on the topics of networking and collaboration as they relate to the Society of Jesus, including the recently released paper from the 2^nd International Conference on Jesuit Networking, held at Georgetown University, “”. “We need an ecosystem that encourages collaboration and association on a larger scale and the training of individuals with the necessary skills, vision, and leadership for a universal and collaborative mission.” While many efforts have been carried out in recent years at the conference level and within the apostolic secretaries of the Society of Jesus, and have already started to bear fruit, it is necessary to guarantee the depth and harmony of these collaborative initiatives in order to ensure that “emerging networks are truly prophetic, and our organizational development at the international level truly responds to that of an apostolic body with a shared mission.”

For more information visit jesuit.network or write us to [email protected]