Primary Activities
The Jesuit Social Research Institute engages in five major activities:
- RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS: The institute gathers, conducts, and publishes research on social and economic conditions of the poor, migrant, and ethnic communities in the South and in collaborating countries. This research is focused through the lenses of Catholic social thought and Jesuit core values—the service of faith, promotion of justice, and transformation of cultures—with a focus on the connections between domestic and international issues. Some examples of possible areas of research include:
- social analysis and theological reflection on the transit, settlement, and assimilation of migrants within cities and communities of the southern United States in conjunction with Jesuit Refugee Services: USA and JRS: International;
- study of the socioeconomic effects of push and pull factors within migration, including an analysis of effective methods in facilitating the transfer of remittances by migrants;
- research on the availability of social and educational services for migrants and the poor in the South;
- facilitation of collaboration between faith-based organizations in addressing migration, poverty, labor and racial issues.
- EDUCATION: Institute staff and collaborators disseminate this research and analysis through a variety of means:
- Publications such as web pages, workbooks, monographs, pamphlets, articles in popular and academic journals, op-ed pieces, newsletters, and conference papers.
- Workshops, classes and seminars offered through Loyola University, as well as regional, national and international conferences and symposia.
- Retreats and days of reflection for high school and university faculty as well as Catholic and other faith-based workers, leaders, clergy, religious, and community organizers focusing on developing skills for social analysis and theological reflection, using the research and analysis of the institute as models.
- FACILITATION: Institute staff and collaborators offer facilitation services aimed at building the capacity of church and community based organizations for social analysis, theological reflection, and effective planning on issues that they are working to address in their own communities and regions.
- ADVOCACY: Institute staff, collaborators, and stakeholders engage in advocacy on social and economic issues through providing testimony to legislative bodies, meeting with legislators and staff members of the region, and conducting public events such as hearings and press conferences. JSRI hopes to be of service to other advocates by providing background research for testimony and undertaking campaigns promoting values such the common good and the preferential option for the poor, and by integrating public ethics into the fostering of public policy.
- IMMERSION EXPERIENCES: The institute organizes and facilitates service, research and learning trips in collaboration with social centers, educational institutions and grassroots communities in partnering countries, and in the South and Southwest of the United States. These will be open to faculty, staff, and students from a variety of educational institutions. JSRI also welcomes scholars and students from other countries to examine the conditions of migrants within this region, evaluate the operation of democratic institutions, and explore the development of civil society structures.
