The International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) is committed to fostering collaboration, research and programming among its member institutions in order to achieve several key priorities.
These include expanding access to quality higher education for marginalized and disadvantaged populations, promoting the development of civic and political leaders guided by the principles of Catholic social doctrine, and advocating for economic and environmental justice through educational and advocacy efforts.
Created in 2018, the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU), brings together 6 regional associations:
- Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities - Asia Pacific (AJCU-AP)
- Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities - North America (AJCU)
- Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities - Africa and Madagascar (AJCU-AM)
- Kircher Network - Jesuit Higher Education in Europe and Near East
- Jesuit Higher Education Association South Asia (JHEASA)
- Asociación de Universidades Confiadas a la Compañia de Jesús (AUSJAL)
As a whole, the IAJU has over 200 partner institutions in more than 50 countries.
The University of Namur is a member of the IAJU via its participation in the Kircher network
Through collaborations between member universities and other partner universities around the world, the association aims to:
- Promote access to education for marginalized populations
- Foster the emergence of responsible political leaders
- Promote economic and environmental justice
- Rethink management education
- Develop civic and political leadership according to the principles and social doctrine of the church
- Promote Ignatian spirituality and discernment and strengthen collaborations between Jesuit universities worldwide
- Promote inter-religious dialogue
- Work for peace and reconciliation
- Promote democracy
IAJU activities
All representatives of the regional associations meet in a general assembly at regular intervals, approximately every 3 years.
The last three general assemblies were organized in 2018 in Bilbao (Spain) by the Universidad de Deusto, in 2022 in Boston (USA) by Boston College and in 2025 in Bogota (Colombia) by the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.
General Assemblies
The IAJU'sGeneral Assembly 2025 took place from June 30 to July 3, 2025 at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia. Delegates from Jesuit universities around the world gathered to debate around major global challenges and to initiate and strengthen collaborations related to strategic priorities.
The exchanges, organized around six major themes identified in advance, focused on:
- The crisis of democracy;
- Promoting student well-being;
- The challenges of secularization;
- Artificial intelligence;
- Migration, refugees and populations on the border;
- Environmental justice.
Annick Castiaux, Rector of UNamur spoke as an expert on the panel "AI in Jesuit Higher Education: Guiding Innovation with Ethics, Dialogue, and Mission".
More information about previous assemblies:
- August 3-6, 2022 General Assembly 2022 - Boston College (USA)
- July 8-12, 2018 General Assembly 2018 - Universidad de Deusto (Spain)
Task Forces
Several "Task Forces" have been created in connection with strategic priorities. These include:
- Task Force on Solidarity with Migrants and Refugees
- Task Force on Global Citizenship
- Task Force on Environmental and Economic Justice
- Task Force for Peace and Reconciliation
- Task Force for the Promotion of Democracy
Initiatives
There are many initiatives and collaborations promoted by IAJU members.
UNamur has just joined the Magis Exchange Programme.
The MAGIS exchange program, launched by several members after the 2018 General Assembly, is unique. Its aim is to provide students with a framework and opportunities to engage as global agents of change, drawing inspiration from Jesuit values, encouraging reflection on pressing social and environmental issues and responsible leadership.
The "MAGIS Exchange" program is built around three components:
- Online participation in an international Global environmental citizenship
- Exchange "course" at one of the partner Jesuit universities
- Parallel to academic activities, the completion of a volunteer or civic engagement experience (akin to Service Learning experiences).
The University of Namur, which joined the program in July 2025, will be able to host and send students from the 2026-2027 academic year.
Selected students from the 40 partner universities will have the opportunity to study in all UNamur faculties. As far as the participation of UNamur students is concerned, this will be rolled out gradually: in an initial phase, only students from the EMCP faculty will be able to benefit from this unique exchange opportunity, but it will become accessible to students from other faculties in the near future.
For more information on the "MAGIS Exchange" program at UNamur please visit the dedicated pages for UNamur students and for international students.