Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network Conference Draws Students from Around the World

In late June, over 100 students from Jesuit universities worldwide, including residents of the Philippines, India, Qatar, Lebanon and Australia, convened at Fairfield University for the Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network (JUHAN) Student Leadership Conference for young people with a calling to work in the humanitarian field.

The students, including many from member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU), came to learn from humanitarian relief experts and academics as well as from each other at the four-day conference entitled “Global Perspectives on Humanitarian Action.”

The conference featured leaders from organizations that included Jesuit Refugee Service, Catholic Relief Services and Save the Children. Roundtables and presentations offered best practices on service/immersion trips, simulation exercises on humanitarian crises, and frameworks for helping people in politically unstable environments.

Jesuit Father Richard Ryscavage, director of Fairfield’s Center for Faith and Public Life and professor of sociology, said, “The project reflects the Jesuit value of developing individuals to look to the humanitarian needs of the world.”

JUHAN was founded to prepare undergraduates for humanitarian action whether as a career or related to their own civic responsibilities. JUHAN efforts involve curriculum, action on campus and community service. [Fairfield University]