Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) chose Bridging Borders as the theme of its Giving Tuesday campaign in November 2018. The inspiration came from Pope Francis’ appeal “not to create walls but to build bridges.” Together with friends and supporters across Canada, CJI wanted to do something very positive and concrete to combat the culture of fear that seems so pervasive and paralyzing today, especially when it comes to people who are seen as foreign, different or other. As CJI’s Outreach Coordinator Pieter Niemeyer put it, the campaign sought to “raise awareness … invite a response of action rooted in love … and bring about structural change for the common good.”
Numerous Bridging Borders campaign events were held across Canada, from British Columbia to Quebec. More than 1,400 students were engaged in discussion groups or classroom presentations. There were also public events held in 9 cities, each of them featuring one of three guest speakers: Ivette Galván García, Coordinator of the Strategic Litigation Committee with the Centre for Indigenous Rights in Chiapas, Mexico; Fr Nawras Sammour SJ, Director of Jesuit Refugee Service for the Middle East and North Africa; and Fr Mario Serrano SJ, Social Delegate for the Jesuit Conference of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The campaign sought to raise awareness and funds for 3 projects supported by CJI. The Jesuit Service for Pan-Amazonia bridges the borders of 5 countries in the Amazon region through a program that offers bilingual, bicultural education; that honours indigenous knowledge and integrates respect for the environment; and that seeks to build a “common home.” In India, the project Lok Manch (People’s Forum) bridges borders through a rights-based program, advocating for food security, just wages, land and housing rights; for quality education for children; and for women who face violence and trafficking. In Damascus, Syria, the Jesuit Refugee Service is bridging borders though a Family Support Program, which offers assistance to internally displaced people, based on need, independent of their faith, class or gender.
These projects clearly indicate what it means to heal divisions and cross borders in today’s context. We are happy to report that more than $135,500—35% over our goal!—were raised in the campaign and will go to the 3 projects highlighted. Thank you to all donors, participants and volunteers who helped make Bridging Borders a success!
