A paper by The Beijing Center (TBC) has been published in the “IAJU Best Practices in Jesuit Higher Education Project,” an initiative coordinated by the Kircher Network and composed of contributions from the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) regional networks.

“The Heart of Reconciliation: Building Bridges through Cultural Exchange” was collaboratively written by TBC’s Communications Officer Jessica Xi, Associate Director of International Education Queenie He, Student Service Associate Sylvia Wang, and former Research Associate Moritz Kuhlmann SJ.

It emphasises the lessons learned and taught during the inception, development, and execution of a recurring secular retreat at TBC. The students’ feedback of the programme showed a significant gain in their sense of self, sense of community, and reflection on secular spirituality. The paper is available to read for free here.

TBC is a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities–Asia Pacific and represents the Asia Pacific region in this third issue of the IAJU Best Practices magazine, with a focus on Reconciliation and Peace, alongside two submissions from the Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines.

Inclusion in this issue is particularly important for TBC because of their involvement in the IAJU Task Force on Reconciliation and Peace. Their paper was published just a few days before TBC Executive Director Simon Koo’s presence at the 2022 IAJU Worldwide Assembly at Boston College as a member of the Task Force. The piece was highlighted during the Task Force’s presentation at the IAJU Assembly.

The eighteen practices compiled by the Best Practices Program will be accompanied by a series of webinars with experts and authors to begin in November 2022. More information on this can be found at the Kircher Network’s website here.