Our students took part in a series of remote meetings invited by St. Louis University High School (USA) to which students and teachers from Jesuit schools around the world were invited. The aim of the project was to collaborate on solutions to global problems.
During the project, participants listened to inspiring presentations on the Jesuit Apostolic Preferences (UAPs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The speakers helped to broaden the students' understanding and inspired them to act by their example.
Father George Nedumattam, S.J. from India spoke about the power of the meeting of different cultures to change the world. Jesuit superior general Fr. Arturo Sosa presented why the Jesuits have set 4 priorities for their work - accompanying on the path to God, being with the marginalised, helping young people to build a hopeful future, and caring for the common home together. Journalist Atia Abawi, an Afghan-American, shared her personal experiences in places of tension and suffering around the world.
The students were divided into international groups and worked together to develop ideas for their chosen sustainability goal. Meetings took place on Saturday evenings, and finally the ideas were presented and discussed on 12-13 April. In the meantime, teachers got to know each other and discussed possibilities for further cooperation between the schools.
Our students shared their impressions:
I was lucky to have very open and active people on my team. I thought that teenagers from different continents, from different cultures, were very different, but we were quite similar in our views and traits. Hermis R.
I don't regret signing up. From the very first Zoom call, I started talking to a girl from the Congo, and it was very interesting both to hear about her home and to share about my own home. When I heard that there was a civil war in her country and that she had to leave her home, it made me think about how much I have been given in life. You have to appreciate it and help those who are going through a difficult time. Nojus G.
I can definitely say that all my expectations were exceeded. I was particularly pleased with my team, who were very open to communication and getting to know each other. I made some really good friends who seemed hard to break up with, so we agreed to keep in touch. I really enjoyed the programme and it made me think about things I hadn't thought about before. Matas K.
I came to the project hoping to be able to talk about topics that are harder to talk about with acquaintances who are not interested. I wanted to make new connections, learn about new cultures and understand other perspectives. All of these expectations have been fulfilled and more. The teamwork was very good, although there were some glitches with the internet connection. But what impressed me the most were the speakers, all of whom changed something in me. This Summit is really worthwhile and a great experience. Jokūbas P.
One of the ideas, designed to be applicable to anyone who wants to tackle inequalities.
Project participant schools:
Canisius-Kolleg (Berlin, Germany)
St George's College (Harare, Zimbabwe)
Colegio Del Salvador (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Alfajiri College (Bukavu, DRC)
St. Paul's High School (Manitoba, Canada)
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School (Chicago, USA)
St Peters Kubatana High School (Harare, Zimbabwe)
BC High (Boston, USA)
Loyola High School (Los Angeles, USA)
Colegio San Pedro Claver (Santander, Columbia)
Regis Jesuit High School (Aurora, CO, USA)
Ateneo de Manila Senior High School (Manila, Philippines)
Kostka Public Jesuit High School (Krakow, Poland)
Zespół Szkół Jezuitów (Gdynia, Poland)
Colegio San Ignacio El Bosque (Santiago, Chile)
Jesuit High School, (Portland, USA)
Vilnius Jesuit High School (Lithuania)
Thank you to Robert Chura and St. Louis University High School for the opportunity to participate!
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