The Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) Development Officers meeting in Cebu, held from 10 to 14 April, was a joyful gathering for all representatives united by a common mission to serve and accompany the marginalised. We came together from every corner of Asia Pacific region to engage in spiritual reflection and practical workshops on project management and fundraising.
Our meeting began with a day of recollection centred on the De Statu, led by JCAP President Fr Jun Viray SJ. We had the opportunity for individual prayer and spiritual conversation, setting a contemplative and discerning tone for the entire meeting. We were reminded of the Ignatian principle of finding God in all things and the importance of spiritual grounding in our apostolic endeavours.
We were given an informative introduction to the Xavier Network by Jenny Cafiso, coordinator of the network, who joined our meeting via Zoom. The Xavier Network, consisting of 14 Jesuit Mission offices from Europe, Canada, North America, and Australia, offers a wealth of collaborative opportunities for our Development Offices. Jenny encouraged us to work on fostering relationships based on mutual trust and transparency, ensuring our project proposals align with our regional apostolic plans, and maintaining open communication with our benefactors.
During a session on effective project proposal and report writing, we delved into understanding key project management concepts: activities, outputs, outcomes, and goals. Many participants found this session particularly useful, helping us develop our skills in creating compelling and effective project documents.
Fr Wilfred Lobo SJ and Helen Forde provided us with insights into the Instruction for Administration & Finances (IAF), particularly the sections relevant to Development Directors. They stressed the necessity of setting manageable fundraising targets while maintaining authenticity and expressing gratitude.
Br Al Sherry FMS conducted a comprehensive workshop on grant writing, focusing on the key elements to include in strong proposals. All agreed that this workshop was invaluable and boosted our confidence in preparing funding applications.
Another session allowed us to share our experiences in building alumni networks for “friend raising,” underscoring the Ignatian value of companionship. After an enlightening presentation on artificial intelligence (AI), we were given time to explore the potential of new technology like ChatGPT. We were encouraged to experiment with these useful AI tools, which can enhance our productivity when used responsibly and wisely.
One of our aims for this meeting was to build relationships among our team of JCAP Development officers, as many are new in their roles. Our social occasions, meals, and liturgies gave us the chance to come together, get to know each other, and reflect on the sessions. The final Eucharist, with beautiful music provided by the Celestial Singers, was a joyful event.
We were warmly looked after throughout the week by the wonderful staff at the Cebu Center for Ignatian Spirituality. At our closing party, we discovered that the Development Officers of JCAP are a multi-talented group of musicians, singers, and dancers! Special thanks go out to the LH Foundation for organising a splendid opening dinner and to Fr Joe Quilongquilong SJ for his thoughtful attention to detail and constant care.
The meeting concluded with the formation of a new coordinating committee to streamline our future efforts. We thanked the outgoing coordinator, Helen Forde, for leading our group with wisdom and enthusiasm for three years and selected a new committee to ensure continued collaboration across regions.
As our meeting ended, we reflected on a week full of learning and collaborative spirit. Each of us committed to discarding our fears and doubts and moving forward with renewed zeal and optimism for our shared mission.
This article was contributed by Angela Ford of Jesuit Mission Australia and Gillian Donoghue of the Myanmar Jesuit Region.