One Mission, Many Voices: JRS Europe’s Regional Coordination Meeting in Brussels

Hospitality, shared values and the power of personal stories were at the heart of JRS Europe’s Regional Coordination Meeting (RCM), held in Brussels on 27–28 October 2026. The gathering brought together colleagues from across the European network for two days of reflection, exchange and learning around our shared mission to accompany, serve and advocate for refugees and forcibly displaced people.

This year’s RCM offered an opportunity to explore how our values translate into practice: in the welcome extended by local communities, in support for people experiencing displacement, and in the stories we share.

The meeting opened with a reflection led by Dalibor Renić SJ on the mission of the Society of Jesus in Europe and its significance for the JRS network today. This set the scene for “Sacred Intersections: Four Faiths, Nine Values, One Mission”, a retreat drawing on four religious traditions and JRS’s nine core values, led by Bianca Albu, Christoph Klotz, Sara Jouhari, Raymond Parcon SJ. Through prayer and reflection, the session invited participants to consider the role of interfaith dialogue in a polarised world.

During the afternoon, participants explored the message at the heart of Paths of Hospitality: “Hospitality opens the door to peace.” A visit to the Museum of Migration placed personal stories at the centre of the programme, offering a way to engage with the experiences of people who have crossed borders and helped shape the city.

A tour of Molenbeek and Matongé continued this encounter with two of Brussels’ most multicultural neighbourhoods. The day concluded with dinner at the JRS Europe office, creating time for informal conversations and connection across the network.

The second day turned towards organisational developments and key areas of JRS’s work. Gavin Braschi introduced JRS’s new global organisational structure, followed by a panel with Sophia Pierre-Antoine on mental health and psychosocial support. The discussion considered the place of this support within JRS Europe’s mission, particularly through the One Proposal response to displacement from Ukraine.

Advocacy was another central focus. A round-table session facilitated by Mariza Koronioti featured representatives from Centro Astalli, JRS Serbia, JRS Germany and JRS Malta. Together, they discussed pressing advocacy issues, connecting national perspectives with the network’s work at European level.

Hospitality returned to the centre of the programme through a World Café facilitated by Carola Jiménez. Drawing on experiences of Communities of Hospitality across Europe, the session created space to exchange approaches and learn from the different ways JRS offices bring people together.

The final workshop, facilitated by Vincenzo Chiaiese, explored communication and new narratives in a polarised Europe. It invited participants to reflect on how JRS can engage different audiences and communicate experiences of displacement, welcome and solidarity.

Across the two days, the programme connected reflection with practice and local experiences with a shared European mission. From personal migration stories to discussions on advocacy and communication, the meeting provided space to consider how the JRS network can continue building relationships and communities rooted in dignity, participation and hope.