IAJU Assembly 2022 - Strengthening mobilisation on education for marginalised communities

“School and English courses offered me an excellent opportunity to define a new horizon and overcome the barriers hindering my personal growth. I identified my strengths and learned to dream of a better future for myself and my family,” said Ms Ferishta Sardary in her opening video address during the Task Force on Migrants and Refugees’ presentation at August’s International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) 2022 Assembly in Boston (USA).

A year ago, Ferishta had to flee her native Afghanistan, and is now a refugee in Italy. In her address, Ferishta shared her experience of making her way through JRS’s English language course in Afghanistan, before undertaking the JWL Diploma in Liberal Studies (accredited by Regis University), and the BS in Leadership (through Creighton University). Over the course of her studies, she also co-founded a local NGO which has enabled learners in remote parts of Afghanistan to continue their studies, despite the events that unfolded over the past year.

The Assembly (held in August) was an opportunity for JWL (a member of the Task Force on Migrants and Refugees) and its partner universities to reconnect in person after two years of travel restrictions, and also to explore avenues for new collaborations. It was a time to re-energise efforts and mobilise Jesuit universities and organisations to serve marginalised communities the world over, through education.

“On behalf of my sisters and brothers in Afghanistan, I would like to thank JWL for walking with the excluded like my peers and me, and for giving us hope by mobilising the Jesuit universities mentioned before. I hope other Jesuit universities present in this meeting follow their lead. In closing, this journey for me has been a light in the darkness, and I hope it serves as inspiration for others to follow in my steps and become future leaders, committed to making the world more peaceful and human.”