The Peace and Reconciliation Unit of ISI Bangalore hosted the JCSA Peace and Reconciliation Network Annual Meet 2024 on 11-13 October 2024. The major theme of the meeting was “Jesuit Imagination of Peace and Reconciliation in South Asia.” The Peace and Reconciliation Network Persons of the Provinces attended the meeting.
Dr Binoy Jacob SJ (Coordinator: JCSA- PRN) gave the first presentation on “Peace and Reconciliation Network: Overview, New Developments, Future Plans.” Dr Denzil Fernandes SJ (Head, Peace and Reconciliation Unit-ISI Bangalore) made a presentation on main theme of the meeting, where he articulated a vision for future endeavours of Jesuit engagements in Peace and Reconciliation based on Jesuit spiritual traditions and the article titled “Challenging the Jesuit Imagination” by Dr. Rudolf C. Heredia SJ.
Other prominent speakers were, Dr. Mazher Hussain, the Director of COVA Peace Network, Hyderabad, who gave an overview of COVA as well as the Compassionate Citizenship Program. Dr. Ryan Wilson, Assistant Professor from the Department of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy of St. Joseph’s University, Bangalore, highlighted the objectives, contents, and various events associated with the program in view of promoting peace in higher education. An important agenda for the meeting was the presentation of Peace modules for Higher Education and schools.
The three-day meeting was an important occasion to imagine and discern new pathways to promote peace and reconciliation in South Asia.