On June 12, World Day Against Child Labour, Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) highlights the harsh reality faced by approximately 138 million children engaged in child labour worldwide. These children are denied their fundamental rights to dignity, education, healthcare, well-being, and protection from exploitation. CJI reaffirms its dedication to advocating for the elimination of child labour. It continues to support Jesuit partners across Africa, Asia, and Latin America who work to provide education for children from impoverished and marginalized communities—particularly those vulnerable to forced labour due to poverty, human trafficking, and war. One such partner, the Jesuit-run Moran Memorial School in Nepal, serves children of tea estate workers and members of the Rajbanshi tribe, with a particular focus on girls' education. In Nepal, it has been customary for girls to work at home and in the fields, instead of attending school. CJI also works alongside the Jesuit Refugee Service, which offers both formal and informal education to refugee children and youth. This initiative aims to shield them from child labour, early marriage, forced militia recruitment, and sexual exploitation. CJI is also a member of the Canadian Network of Corporate Accountability. The network is advocating for federal legislation that would require Canadian companies to eliminate forced and child labour and implement human rights due diligence throughout their supply chains. Photo: A young artisanal miner in Luisha, Katanga Province, DRC; by A Mutombo/CARF

On Monday, June 9, Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) staff had the honour of welcoming Cardinal Pedro Ricardo Barreto Jimeno, S.J., to their office in Toronto. Cardinal Barreto — the Emeritus Metropolitan Archbishop of Huancayo (Peru), vice president of REPAM (Pan Amazon Ecclesial Network), key organizer of the Synod on the Amazon, and close collaborator of Pope Francis on Laudato Sí — stopped by on his way to the G7 Jubilee People’s Forum scheduled June 12-15 in Calgary. During his visit, Cardinal Barreto emphasized the urgent need to support Indigenous peoples, and highlighted the late Pope Francis’s message that Indigenous peoples are “the heart of the church,” and the guardians of nature. The Cardinal highlighted the leadership of Indigenous women in the church, citing Patricia Gualinga, a Kichwa leader and climate activist, as well as Sister Laura Vicuña Pereira Manso, a Franciscan Catechist and member of Brazil’s Kariri people, known for her advocacy for human rights and ecological justice in the Amazon. In Calgary, Cardinal Barreto will speak on socio-ecological justice, and reiterate the call made by church leaders for wealthy nations to cancel the debt of developing countries. Poor countries spent a record $1.4 trillion to service their foreign debt in 2023 alone, he said, citing World Bank figures. Cardinal Barreto echoed Pope Francis’ notion of “ecological debt” owed by wealthy nations to poorer nations suffering from a climate crisis they did little to cause. The Jubilee People’s Forum will gather pilgrims and activists from around the world and across Canada to learn, pray and take action in the lead up to the G7 Leaders’ Summit scheduled June 15 to 17 in Calgary. “This is a Kairos moment – a critical time for change” in the world, said Cardinal Barreto, as he urged CJI to continue its support for the poor and the marginalized. #jesuit #peru #socialjustice #jubilee #calgary #g7calgary #climatejustice #ecojustice

On World Environment Day, June 5, CJI reaffirms its commitment to ecological sustainability rooted in socio-environmental justice. We believe ecological sustainability and social justice are inseparable. The Catholic Church, other faith traditions, environmental organizations, and community groups around the world share this vision. The preferential option for the poor and care for creation go hand in hand. Environmental degradation affects the poor the most. Extractive industries—like mining, logging, and large hydroelectric projects—often poison ecosystems and displace people from their ancestral lands, with devastating consequences. As Pope Francis once reminded us, "We must not be indifferent or resigned to the loss of biodiversity and the destruction of ecosystems, often caused by our irresponsible and selfish behavior…As stewards of God's creation, we are called to make the earth a beautiful garden for the human family. When we destroy our forests, ravage our soil and pollute our seas, we betray that noble calling." Guided by our Jesuit partners, CJI supports Jesuit-led projects that support marginalized communities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America and promote the solidarity economy, care for our common home, use natural resources sustainably, defend traditional and ancestral lands, and develop productive economic activities that enable people to live in dignity and achieve justice. Learn more about CJI projects on ecology and sustainability: https://bit.ly/3y00GMZ

Thank you to Fr. Dan Corrou, SJ, (3rd from right), director of the Jesuit Refugee Service for the Middle East and North Africa @jrs_mena region, for providing us with an overview of JRS's critical work in the region. It was gratifying to hear that JRS has not only transformed the lives of refugees and migrants, but also those of the staff. CJI has partnered with JRS MENA for over a decade now. Over the past 10 years, CJI and its supporters have contributed $2,002,762 to help JRS provide education, livelihoods, psychosocial support, and humanitarian relief to refugees, migrants, and other marginalized communities. Visit our website to learn more about Jesuit-led programs we support: Click link in bio. #Jesuits #MiddleEast #refugees #socialjustice #JRS

On Monday, June 2, Fr. Dan Corrou, SJ, Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service Middle East and North Africa @jrs_mena, , spoke to CJI staff and supporters about a grim truth: forced displacement is rising—120 million people and counting—while aid is diminishing. Speaking to a small gathering in Toronto, Father Dan pointed to the drastic cuts in foreign aid—especially the US government’s decision to slash support for NGOs like JRS—as a troubling signal at a time of immense need. “Those people that are displaced aren’t displaced by choice… There is a tremendous need, and they are very vulnerable, whoever they are, however they arrive,” he said. He thanked CJI and its supporters for standing with JRS in times of war, earthquakes, explosions, and the daily struggles of working with the poor and marginalized “We’re very grateful for that continued solidarity… It is tremendous help to know that we have friends here.” Read the full story: Click link in bio to visit our website, then go to News #Jesuits #MiddleEast #refugees #socialjustice #canadianjesuitsinternational #cji #JRS

On Sunday, July 1, about 80 members and guests of Holy Rosary Parish in Guelph, Ont., gathered for an event hosted by Canadian Jesuits International (CJI), featuring Fr. Dan Corrou, SJ, director of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in the Middle East and North Africa. Father Dan shared moving stories about the JRS's work in Lebanon, where they support Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese communities by providing humanitarian aid, psychosocial support, education, livelihood programs, and peace and reconciliation initiatives. He also discussed the impact of cuts to U.S. foreign aid on JRS and other NGOs working to assist the impoverished and marginalized in the Global South. Last fall, with the help of CJI and the Xavier Network, the JRS provided emergency relief to families displaced by the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, offering crucial support during a time of great need. CJI and the Xavier Network have also contributed to an appeal to help JRS continue its critical work, which has been disrupted by the U.S. aid cuts. Learn more, including how you can support the work of JRS in Lebanon: https://bit.ly/43AgAMS

We're Hiring: Operations Manager 📍 Toronto-based | Hybrid Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) is looking for a versatile and dedicated Operations Manager to join our small, dynamic team. If you're driven by a passion for social justice and global solidarity, this is your chance to make meaningful impact. CJI is the international solidarity agency of the Jesuits of Canada, supporting marginalized communities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. We work with Jesuit partners on four core themes: 📚 The Right to Education 🌱 Ecological Sustainability 🛑 Rights of Forced Displaced People ✊ Human Rights, Civic Participation & Peace Building We also lead education and advocacy efforts in Canada to promote global justice. As Operations Manager, you’ll report to the Executive Director and play a key leadership role in strengthening day-to-day operations, managing staff and contractors, and supporting the CJI Board. The position evolves with the organization — ideal for someone who thrives in a responsive, purpose-driven environment. Ready to help build a just & sustainable world? 📌 Learn more + apply: https://bit.ly/CJIOperations #Hiring #SocialJusticeJobs #OperationsManager #NGOCareers #CJI #Jesuits #GlobalSolidarity #HumanRights #InternationalDevelopment

In Bourj Hammoud, a densely populated neighbourhood in Beirut, the odds are stacked against thousands of Syrian refugee children and vulnerable Lebanese families. Nearly half of school-age Syrian refugees are not in school, and more than a third of young adults never attended school (UNHCR, 2023). The barriers are many and include poverty and discrimination. That’s why Canadian Jesuits International supports the work of the Jesuit Refugee Service Middle East and North Africa @jrs_mena in Lebanon. JRS provides inclusive and safe learning environments for children. JRS also offers mental health and psychosocial support and pathways to dignity through livelihood training, coaching, and mentorship. At JRS educational and social centers, hope is being restored—one student, one family, and one future at a time. Learn more, including how you can support this transformative work: Link in bio to visit our website, click Programs. #Jesuit #socialjustice #Syrianrefugees #Lebanon #BourjHammound #JRS Photo: JRS MENA

With support from Canadian Jesuits International (CJI), Asociación Fe y Alegría Panama — a member of the Jesuit Migrant Network, is responding to the urgent needs of 500 migrants and returnees, many recently deported from the U.S. The six-month emergency response will deliver shelter, food, hygiene kits, medicines, clothing, water, and transportation 🏠 Shelter 🍲 Food 🧼 Hygiene kits 💊 Medicines 👕 Clothing 💧 Water 🚌 Transportation Learn more: Click link in bio to visit our website #socialjustice #Jesuit #Panama #migrants #refugees