Report on the Social Mapping Project

In early 2009, the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific initiated a social mapping project which aimed to take stock of the social concerns in which Jesuits and their collaborators were currently engaged and to explore possibilities for international co-operation.  Information gathering and analysis were carried out and completed by mid-2010.  A “Report of the Social Mapping Project” has been produced.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 The increasingly global context of our mission today calls for more coordinated and decisive supranational responses.  Currently Jesuits and their collaborators are involved in a wide range of social concerns throughout Asia Pacific.  These include:

• Migration
• Environment and governance of natural resources
• Poverty and sustainable development
• Indigenous peoples
• Youth, family and rehabilitation
• Access to education
• Civil society, participation and governance
• Inter-religious dialogue and religious fundamentalism
• Peace building and conflict resolution
• Natural disaster preparedness, relief and reconstruction

Individual ministries have been fruitful in terms of accompanying the marginalized, providing direct services, building capacity, engaging policy-makers and influencing others through a multiplier effect. 

The present realities of Asia Pacific, however, require more coherent strategies and well-combined efforts across provinces and apostolic boundaries.  The increasing numbers of vulnerable migrants, the fast-paced and inequitable economic development, threats to marginalized groups, deep-seated conflict and ecological injustices are among the pressing concerns in the region that invite a greater role for the Society and its collaborators.

This study recommends that the Society identifies common apostolic frontiers or priorities to tackle at the Conference level through a multi-sectoral approach.  For the immediate term, (i) migration and (ii) environment and governance of natural resources can be among the priority apostolic frontiers relevant to all countries of Asia Pacific. Jesuits and companions are engaged in these fields in many parts of the region. Specific goals can be identified for each of these two areas and strategies that involve all the relevant apostolates – intellectual, social, pastoral, education, spiritual – can be formulated, implemented and monitored at the Conference level.

The Conference has the potential to make a significant impact in the ten areas of social concern mentioned above, by leveraging on the best of what persons and institutions in its various apostolates can offer.  However in order for these initiatives to be fruitful, there has to be a concurrent effort to renew the Society’s commitment to social justice and to being an international community in mission.

The social mapping project has revealed that only a small number of Jesuits are engaged in full-time social ministries and these often experience a sense of isolation and lack of support.  It has also been highlighted that direct contact with the poor by Jesuits is decreasing.  In fact, the lack of commitment of Jesuits to being with the poor and to social justice is a recurrent observation. Moreover, whilst there are a number of expert individuals and institutions in the assistancy, current efforts seem to be piecemeal.  There is a lack of connection among those in the social apostolate as well as between different apostolates, especially between the social and intellectual ministries. As a result, the sharing of expertise and the implementation of joint projects has been minimal. 

Where it occurs, the presence of professional and experienced lay persons leading Jesuit organizations is one striking feature in the assistancy’s social scene. Yet these examples of collaboration with the laity are rare.  It appears difficult for Jesuits to find a synergistic equilibrium in working with lay persons and with other religious.

Planning can be greatly improved.  This refers to planning at the Conference and provincial levels as well as within individual ministries.  In particular, the Conference, provinces and regions would do well to plan in terms of mission frontiers and not in terms of apostolates.

Finally, younger Jesuits in the social apostolate will grow if they are given the space to define new paradigms of working.  A number have inherited existing ministries pioneered by their predecessors.  Yet the local and regional contexts have changed. The younger generation of Jesuits will respond to encouragement to flexibility. They are called to boldly re-define the way ahead.

In summary, GC 35 urges Jesuits to build bridges across barriers so as to promote reconciliation with God, with others and with creation.  Located in Asia Pacific, a region culturally and religiously diverse, economically dynamic and politically wide-ranging, JCAP has to respond to this call to three-fold reconciliation with boldness and creativity.  For this to happen, it will necessarily first bridge internal divides so that there is a stronger sense of common mission across apostolates, provinces, institutions and among Jesuits and their collaborators.

A guide that suggests ways in which Jesuits and their collaborators can make use of the social mapping report was also prepared.

The full Social Mapping Report and the Guide can be downloaded from this page.