Depth, Universality, and Learned Ministry

This morning, Father Adolfo Nicolás, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, gave a talk entitled, “Depth, Universality and Learned Ministry: Challenges to Jesuit Higher Education Today.”

With regard to depth, Father Nicolás pointed out that new forms of technology can allow young people be shallow, self absorbed, and lacking in empathy. He urged us, as educators, to respond effectively, to encourage depth of thought, imagination, and real transformation. Regarding universality, Father Nicolás emphasized our common responsibility for the welfare of the entire world. Regarding learned ministry, Father Nicolás highlighted our need to engage in scholarly work that makes a difference in the world.

On a more general level, Father Nicolás asked whether, if Ignatius were here today, he would make universities central to Jesuit ministry. He pointed out that Jesuit universities are growing in size, while Jesuits are diminishing in number, and urged universities to do what we are already doing--but more, and better.

This afternoon, in the Ecology & Sustainability small group, we pursued our action plan for doing more, and better, in this area.

I am the only faculty member from a U.S. business school in the Ecology & Sustainability group, and was pleased to contribute evidence that Jesuit business schools are teaching students much more than how to maximize shareholder value. For example, our small group discussed Monsanto’s business practices regarding how the company safeguards its patents, often at the expense of small farmers. I noted that Loyola University Maryland's MBA students who take a course in Ethics & Social Responsibility have watched and reflected upon “The Future of Food,” a documentary that highlights Monsanto’s questionable practices regarding their use of intellectual property law to maximize market share in ways that are inconsistent with the long-term interests of farmers.

Our group also talked about shareholder activism, about how Jesuit business schools can (and do) teach students the ways in which they can contribute to sustainable value creation for all stakeholders, not just shareholders.

The Ecology & Sustainability group has also talked about practical ways we and our colleagues can work together in the future. We have learned from the U.S.based group that has collaborated to establish Commitment to Justice in Higher Education. Our Ecology & Sustainability group is considering creating a portal similar to their site, Justice Web, at http://www.loyola.edu/justice. This site serves as a resource for Jesuit colleges and universities. Dr. June Ellis (Loyola English Department) has developed and led this initiative. A portal like Justice Web would allow Jesuit colleges and universities to share best practices from around the world in the area of ecology and sustainability.

The photo I have included today shows banners that line a passageway at Universidad Iberoamericana, Ciudad du Mexico (UAI). Every day, as we walk along the path, I note that U.S.-based Jesuit colleges and universities are a tiny part of the work Jesuits engage in around the world.