Strengthening Collaboration Across Continents: Xavier Network Meets in Vienna

The executive directors and programme officers of the Xavier Network gathered in Vienna from 26-28 March, 2025 for a meeting hosted by Jesuit Mission Austria at the Kardinal König Haus. This biannual gathering provided  a vital space to deepen collaboration across our international network and to reflect on our common mission, emerging challenges, and strategic priorities.

The meeting opened with words of welcome from Fr. Helmut Schumacher, S.J., and Fr. Dalibor Renic, S.J., President of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials. Their remarks set the tone for three days of thoughtful conversation, discernment, and renewed commitment to global solidarity.

A range of key topics were explored throughout the sessions. Fr. Alberto Ares, S.J., Director of Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Europe, provided an update on the One Proposal—a coordinated emergency and recovery response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis supported by the Xavier Network. His reflections emphasized the strength of joint initiatives and the potential for continued collaboration in responding to humanitarian crises.

This spirit of collective action was echoed in a session with Fr. Roberto Jaramillo, S.J., Secretary of the Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat (SJES) in Rome. He spoke of the Secretariat’s current priorities and spoke about the role of advocacy in today’s global context, particularly in the run-up to  COP30 in Brazil. Fr. Filipe Martins, S.J., European Social Delegate and member of the “COP30 Core Group”, also gave some details of the global campaign in preparation for this event.

There was also time in the agenda for a reflection on the relationship between the Xavier Network and Fe y Alegría. Fr. Dani Villanueva, S.J., General Coordinator of Fe y Alegría, and Nate Radomski, Executive Director of American Jesuits International, presented proposals developed by a working groups. They underscored the mutual value of “network-to-network” collaboration and outlined concrete steps to strengthen this partnership moving forward.

Participants turned their attention to the structure and functioning of the network itself. A review of the Programmes Working Group sparked important questions around coordination, shared learning, and future directions. There were reports from the communications, fundraising, and safeguarding working groups, along with reflections on how the network is responding to the impact of diminished U.S. funding on Jesuit partners like JRS and Fe y Alegría.

Looking to the future, a dedicated strategic planning session continued the discernment process initiated at last year’s meeting in Madrid. Participants explored how the Xavier Network might adapt its structures and relationships to meet evolving needs, while remaining grounded in the mission and values of the Society of Jesus.

The meeting closed with a moment of gratitude and transition. Paul Chitnis, Director of Jesuit Missions UK, concluded more than 13 years of dedicated service as a member of the Executive Committee. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and contribution. At the same time, we warmly welcome Nate Radomski to the Executive Committee, confident that he will bring fresh insight and energy to the role. Nate joins Martin Iriberri SJ from Spain, Katrin Morales from Austria and Jenny Cafiso from Canada, who also serves as the coordinator of the Xavier Network.

As we departed Vienna, we carried with us a renewed sense of purpose—rooted in shared faith, strengthened by global partnership, and committed to advancing justice and peace in all that we do.