JRS Europe Celebrates World Refugee Day with Paths of Hospitality Commitment in Brussels

Brussels, June 20, 2025 – In a powerful demonstration of solidarity with refugees worldwide, JRS Europe joined communities across Europe in commemorating World Refugee Day under the theme “Voices of Hope” with a special event celebrating the Paths of Hospitality initiative in Brussels.

The “Voices of Hope” event brought together advocates, refugees, and faith leaders to mark this significant day in the Jubilee Year 2025, dedicated to “Pilgrims of Hope”. The gathering served as both a celebration of refugee resilience and a commitment to deeper solidarity through concrete action.

A Commitment to Accompaniment

Central to the event was the reading of the Decalogue of Paths of Hospitality, a ten-point commitment that outlines fundamental principles for welcoming and accompanying migrants and refugees. The text was read by Alberto Ares SJ, Regional Director of JRS Europe, alongside Elaine Maes from the Community of Sant’Egidio, symbolizing the ecumenical and collaborative spirit of the hospitality movement.

The Decalogue represents more than words; it embodies a lived commitment to walking alongside those who have been forced to flee their homes. As participants declared themselves “Pilgrims of Hope,” they pledged to transform the rhetoric of welcome into tangible action, reflecting the Jubilee Year’s call for renewal and mercy.

Paths of Hospitality: A Global Movement

The Paths of Hospitality initiative represents a coordinated response to the global displacement crossroads. The initiative has united organizations across continents, including JRS Europe, the Jesuit Network for Migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean, GIAN Migration, the International Federation of Fe y Alegría, and organized by the Jesuit Social Apostolate in Spain.

All the Jesuit Conferences are involved in the GIAN (Global Ignatian Advocacy Network) framework for Migration, where the idea of joint action is encouraged.

The movement addresses the urgent need for policies that guarantee welcome and protection for forcibly displaced people, particularly as Europe faces critical challenges with the adoption of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. Through diverse partnerships and collaborative efforts, Paths of Hospitality seeks to create a future of hope for those who have been forced to flee.

Solidarity in Action

This year’s World Refugee Day theme, “Solidarity with Refugees,” emphasizes moving beyond words to meaningful action. The theme calls for listening to refugee stories, defending their right to seek safety, and ensuring they have opportunities to thrive in welcoming communities. As UNHCR emphasizes, “solidarity means saying, clearly and courageously, that refugees are not alone and that we will not turn our backs”.

The Brussels event exemplified this commitment, bringing together diverse voices united in their dedication to refugee protection and inclusion. The participation of  JRS Europe, the Chapel for Europe, Don Bosco International, Sant’Egidio and Africa Europe Faith & Justice Network and Sant’Egidio representatives highlighted the collaborative nature of contemporary refugee advocacy, where different faith traditions and organizations work together toward common goals.

A Jubilee Response to Displacement

The timing of this commitment within the Jubilee Year 2025 adds particular significance to the event. Pope Francis has designated 2025 as a year of hope for “a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the climate crisis”. The Jesuit Refugee Service has specifically embraced this theme, calling for each person to “welcome refugees and the gifts they bring us” while working to create welcoming and inclusive communities

As Alberto Ares has noted in his leadership of JRS Europe, the current challenges facing refugees include increasingly higher walls, criminalization of human rights defenders, and externalization of borders, while societies neglect real management of diversity. The Paths of Hospitality initiative directly addresses these challenges by promoting inclusive societies without prejudice.

Looking Forward

The Brussels event represents a significant moment in the broader movement for refugee rights and hospitality. By reading the Decalogue of Paths of Hospitality, participants committed to accompanying migrants and refugees not just in words but through sustained action and advocacy.

The Paths of Hospitality initiative continues to expand globally, offering a model for how faith-based organizations can collaborate across traditions and borders to create lasting change.

The commitment made in Brussels on World Refugee Day 2025 stands as a testament to the power of solidarity and the enduring hope that drives those who choose to walk alongside the displaced and vulnerable. In a world that often turns away from refugees, the Paths of Hospitality initiative offers a different path—one marked by welcome, dignity, and shared humanity.