by Wilson J Hormeguera
XU units under the Research and Social Outreach Cluster namely KKP, NSTP, KRC, and XUCA-RSO participated in the Society of Jesus Social Apostolate (SJSA) Colloquium held on November 19-20, 2012 at the Institute of Social Order, Ateneo de Manila University.
The colloquium focused on the role of Jesuit institutions on issues and concerns surrounding the coming elections, mining, and the Bangsamoro.
For the 2013 election, the colloquium proposed to document election-related cheating practices and efforts against cheating; check politicians’ background and track record; conduct public opinion poll; capacitate communities especially the vulnerable sectors through Political Education and Formation; develop political analysts and communication champions who will advance capacity building on political education within partner communities; and coordinate a comprehensive Political-Leadership Formation Program, which has been initiated through the PUGADLAWIN Project of the Ateneo School of Governance (ASOG) and will be integrated in the curriculum of all Ateneo universities.
In addressing issues on mining, the colloquium proposed developing guidelines and protocols on how Jesuit Institutions can engage without bias, and encouraging research based-information dissemination on alternatives to responsible mineral management. The Philippine Jesuit Province’s Social Apostolate Commission through the Environmental Science for Social Concern (ESSC) will work on the SJSA Mining Advocacy Project, which will become the basis of the SJSA guidelines for mining.
Following the Peace initiatives in Mindanao, the colloquium has identified Mindanao Ateneos (Ateneo de Zamboanga, Ateneo de Davao, Xavier University) as venues for dialogue, information dissemination, and open fora about the ongoing development of the Bangsamoro Framework.
Other than the RSO Units (KKP, NSTP, KRC, XUCA-RSO), XU independent units such as SEARSOLIN and MILAMDEC also participated in the SJSA Colloquium.
The Society of Jesus Social Apostolate (SJSA) is a network of Jesuit Institutions doing direct engagement with and in support of the poor and the marginalized. It is led by Fr Robert Rivera SJ, the Assistant to the Jesuit Provincial Superior for Social Apostolate.