In April, Jesuit Refugee Service International Director Thomas Smolich, S.J., M.Div. ’86 spoke on a panel  hosted by Rotary International to discuss the needs and challenges of refugees as well as sustainable solutions. Smolich focused on education for refugees and other practical ways to support refugees to enable them to restart their lives and become self-sufficient.

Currently, the UN has recorded 65.3 million people worldwide have been forced to flee their homes due to war, persecution, and oppression. It is the highest number ever recorded and the biggest humanitarian crisis. Pope Francis has spoken out on several occasions about the urgency of addressing the challenges refugees face.

Whether offering refugees opportunities to better integrate into host communities, or to be prepared for the return home or resettlement to a third country, JRS seeks to promote self-sufficiency, and it does so by providing access to education. “JRS’ education and livelihood initiatives go beyond the mere economic aspects of life, reaching more human and social dimensions. We aim not only to help refugees get back on their feet to earn a living, but to restore dignity and hope and facilitate integration as well,” said Fr Smolich.

Fr Smolich looks at a future collaboration with Rotary and says, “we must come together and mobilise our compassion to make a globalised difference. It is the role of each one of us to ensure those who have lost their homes do not lose their hope. JRS does this through education, and Rotary’s global commitments seek to do the same.” Smolich has served as the International Director of JRS since October 2015.