The Annual Meeting of Eco-Jesuit Delegates of the Jesuit Conference of South Asia (JCSA) brought together representatives from 15 Provinces to reflect, discern, and strategize on the theme Eco-Advocacy from 17 – 19 April, 2026 at Matigara, Darjeeling. Hosted by the Darjeeling-Nepal Province (DAN), the gathering aimed to deepen understanding of advocacy, strengthen collaboration, and identify concrete actions for ecological justice across Jesuit ministries.
The meeting highlighted a critical shift from ecological awareness and action within institutions to advocacy for systemic and policy-level transformation.
Fr. Stanislaus Jerome D’Souza, President of the SA Conference, in his inaugural address recognized significant ecological efforts across Provinces but noted the fragmentation and weak collaboration and this being treated as secondary. He called for integration of ecology across all ministries, stronger networking and youth engagement, policy advocacy and research-based action and deep ecological spirituality rooted in mission.
One of the key note speakers, Dr. Sunita Narain, Director of Centre for Science and Environment, Delhi identified three global crises (“super cycles”): Climate change, Economic-political instability, and Artificial intelligence disruptions. She stressed that there would be no sustainability without justice. She further emphasized that climate impacts disproportionately affect the poor. Development must be the entry point for climate action and there is a need for inclusive, affordable and local solutions. Advocacy must connect environment, livelihood and justice.
Fr. Frazer Mascarenhas, Eco Delegate of the Bombay province and west zone convener, traced the evolution of advocacy in the Jesuit traditions. Advocacy has been integral to Jesuit identity (GC32, GC34, GC35) and rooted in Ignatian spirituality and inner conversion. The key elements of advocacy areawareness, research, communication, collaboration and action and it requires contemplation, compassion, courage, collaboration and commitment. The core challenge is the need for prophetic courage to act publicly.
Fr. Roberto Jaramillo, international secretary of the SJES (Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat) highlighted the efforts of SJES in advocacy towards COP 30 and the efforts being made for COP 31. He pointed out that we are learning by doing and still growing in the field of advocacy. He emphasized the need for networking across sectors (synodality) and collaboration beyond Jesuit institutions.
Mr. Soumya Dutta, an environmental activist and a person actively involved in advocacy efforts from Delhi guided us in the first two days of our deliberations. He shared a lot his experiences in advocacy: success stories, struggles and challenges. He stressed that advocacy must be strategic, research-based and targeted at power structures. His key insights included that we need to focus on systems and not symptoms, combine research and publication and engage policymakers and bureaucrats. Advocacy must go beyond reports and petitions. Effective tools are public campaigns, media engagement, people’s tribunals, and global networking. Systemic change happens when power structures are held accountable.
Province eco delegates presented the significant highlights of their actions in the provinces. Strong progress was noted in institutional sustainability – Solar energy, rainwater harvesting, waste management, organic farming, biodiversity initiatives; Education & Awareness – Eco-clubs, campaigns, curriculum integration, youth engagement and experiential learning; Community Outreach – water access, afforestation, rural engagement, indigenous knowledge integration; Research & Advocacy – publications, policy engagement (limited but growing). The common challenges were weak coordination and leadership structures, gap between policy and implementation, limited human and financial resources, lifestyle change resistance, insufficient policy-level advocacy and lack of sustained collaboration.
After the zonal level discernment, the south zone decided to pay attention to COP 31 awareness, walkathon and formation, north zone on renewable energy and coordination, central zone on mining and migration advocacy and west zone on the implementation of ecological school policy. There will be a minimum of two zonal level meetings and one conference level meeting. The next conference level meeting will be in Gujarat from 22nd to 25th April, 2027.
At the conference level there will be an eco-advocacy campaign by promoting the Jesuit COP 31 Climate Justice Statement and a nationwide walkathon on 4th October on the same with the participation of Jesuits, institutions, youth and civil society.
The key takeaways include the shift in focus – from awareness to advocacy and systemic change, justice centred ecology – ecology inseparable from social, economic, and political realities; need for collaboration – across provinces, sectors and global networks; strategic advocacy – research-based, targeted, and sustained; youth as stakeholders – essential for long-term ecological transformation; long term commitment – advocacy requires patience, persistence, and investment.
The meeting marked an important turning point in the ecological mission of the Jesuits in South Asia. While significant efforts are already underway, the call is now clear: to move beyond fragmented initiatives toward a unified, collaborative, and advocacy-driven approach that addresses the structural causes of ecological injustice.
With renewed commitment, deeper collaboration, and strategic engagement, the Jesuit Conference of South Asia is poised to play a meaningful role in advancing ecological justice for both the Earth and the poor.
S.M. John Kennedy SJ
SA Coordinator for the Ecojesuit Network
