On July 21, 22 and 23, Loyola Andalucía University held a virtual meeting/formation in Ignatian Leadership led by David McCallum SJ, director of the Mission Integration Committee of the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU). The meeting was attended by more than 70 colleagues from five UNIJES institutions (Universidad de Deusto, Universidad Pontificia Comillas, ESADE, Instituto Químico de Sarriá (IQS), and Universidad Loyola Andalucía).
This was the third edition of the meeting/training, which was held under the framework set by the IAJU that "the future of Jesuit education depends on the availability of people, both Jesuits and companions in the mission, who are fully capable of leading universities in a consistent manner and dedicated to the mission of the Society of Jesus. The first two editions of this meeting were organized by the Universidad Pontificia Comillas in 2018 and 2019.
Although it seemed that the difficulties caused by the effects of Covid 19 could be detrimental to its implementation and development, the meeting was an opportunity for collaboration and apostolic efficiency. The virtual nature of the meeting allowed for an increase in the number of participants, and the bonds created among the participants of the previous seminars made it possible for the companionship, trust and joy that are characteristic of a community that goes beyond the screens and grows each day, strengthening the cohesion of the group and the various institutions.
During the days of the meeting, faculty and staff, Jesuits and lay companions, shared a journey of leadership to the world. David McCallum SJ, with his charism and his way of proceeding, disposed the participants to open their minds, hearts and will, managing to awaken curiosity, compassion and courage, not only individually, but also between institutions, for the co-creation of bridges destined to confront the challenges of the Jesuit university institutions in their mission and from the Ignatian leadership. From the beginning of these meetings, the essence left by the discreet presence of the Jesuits who have accompanied us, has been a clear example of belief in what is not seen, but which inspires and is an engine of growth.
"We are not aware of the real opportunities that Jesuit institutions have together," shared one of the participants in the meeting.
There are times of uncertainty in this academic year that now begins, however, with the certainty of belonging to the global network of Jesuit universities felt these days, we can only have faith, gratitude and confidence that everything will go well, and that we will see each other again in a fourth meeting in July 2021.