A Canadian delegation of students and educators from six Canadian Jesuit apostolates participated for the first time in the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice (IFTJ) in Washington, DC. CJI’s youth and outreach coordinator, along with 26 students and educators from St Bonaventure’s College, Campion College (U of Regina), St Paul’s High School, Loyola High School and Jesuit Volunteers Canada, joined over 1,600 other participants at the Teach-In from November 15-17, 2014.
Canadians at Teach-In for Justice 2014 (Photo: K. Tasala)
The Teach-In is an annual gathering, now in its 18th year, for members of the Ignatian family to come together to focus on social justice and solidarity and to learn, reflect, pray, network, and advocate together.
The delegation listened to moving key note speakers, participated in workshops and networking events, and met with students from the US and the first ever Mexican delegation. On the final day, some Canadian students accompanied their new American friends on advocacy visits to Capitol Hill, while others visited the Canadian Embassy.
This year the Teach-In coincided with the 25th anniversary of the murder of six Jesuits and two lay women in El Salvador – their legacy of social justice advocacy inspired all those in attendance.
For an account by the Ignatian Solidarity Network about the 2014 Teach-In, click here.
For the CJI report on the Canadian delegation’s experience at the conference, click here.
Canadian and Mexican students (photo: A. Weerdenburg)
Students visit the Canadian Embassy (photo: Embassy staff)
