Weaving the #JesuitNetwork

Have you ever thought what would happen if all the works of the Society of Jesus could coordinate to create a world project in common? Are you aware of the possibilities that concerted action offers to organizations like ours, present in many countries? Do you imagine the advantages that derive from this in the service of the faith and the promotion of the justice of the Kingdom? These are only some of the questions that lie behind the proliferation of the international networks we have been witnessing in the past few years throughout the broad apostolic body of the Society of Jesus.
[pullquote align=”right”]Networking enables better collaboration on global and regional levels in the service to the universal mission. [/pullquote] This type of networking is coming to be seen as a new apostolic way of proceeding that enables better collaboration on global and regional levels in the service to the universal mission. These are new initiatives that connect people and institutions in such a way that they enable the implementation of action as a global and interdisciplinary body, where collaboration raises apostolic structures to a level of organization which, going beyond its local provinces and environments, achieves a regional or global scope and impact.
No one can deny that we live in an ever more connected world in which the processes of globalization, together with the effect of the information and communication technologies have fired connectivity and networks of interdependence at all levels. “Our society is structuring its principle functions and processes around networks”, said the sociologist Castells. This new emphasis is affecting the development of forms of work in all types of organizations, including the Society of Jesus and the Church. According to Father General, “interconnection is the new context in which to understand the world and discern our mission”.
[pullquote align=”left”]This changes the context within which  the Society of Jesus understands itself, its mission, and above all l its structures. [/pullquote]  The new potential for  mission arising from these new kinds of collaboration changes the context within which  the Society of Jesus understands itself, its mission, and above all l its structures. This is the rationale for  the Jesuit Networking Project, which aims to  strengthen the structures facilitating  for international collaborative ventures within the Jesuit apostolic body.
How are we going to do this? For now, we begin by gathering together those who are interested in these topics. If you and those close to you are attracted by the possibilities of international collaboration, stay tuned  to this project. We hope over time to generate a forum of information and exchange specifically on Jesuit networking: a kind of virtual hub for “collaboration geeks”.  As we form  workgroups with volunteers from all around the world, we will be building up our capacity for  for communication, research and collaboration initiatives. If you want to take part in this, join a team and let us know your thoughts.
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PHOTO: Composition based on a painting from the Chapel of St. Ignatius at Seattle University by Dora Nikolova Bittau.