On 2 July, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) convened partners in mission, advocates, and humanitarian actors at the Jesuit Curia in Rome for “The Future of Protection and Our Shared Humanity: Walking with Refugees Against the Odds”, a high-level discussion examining the mounting challenges facing refugee protection worldwide.

A conversation on refugee protection

At a time of deepening global fragmentation and growing indifference towards people forced to flee, the international system designed to protect those forced to flee is coming under increasing threat.

Against this backdrop, Fr Arturo Sosa SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, opened the discussion by emphasising the need to respond to these global challenges through a profound conversion of hearts and minds, bridging divisions and fostering a culture of fraternity. In his remarks, he underlined that “the Society of Jesus continues its mission of reconciliation through JRS, walking alongside forcibly displaced people to build a future that protects dignity and is grounded in our shared humanity.”

The conversation was brought to life by the first speakers, Karen Pérez, JRS Country Director in Mexico, and Mahamat Daoud, refugee rights advocate, whose personal testimonies placed lived experience at the heart of the discussion. Their contributions offered powerful insights into what protection truly means for refugees and highlighted the very real human cost of diminishing support for displaced communities.

Recalling his own journey after fleeing conflict in Sudan, Mahamat Daoud reflected on the ongoing struggle to defend refugee rights and protection, “To those of us who managed to arrive by their different ways to Europe or Italy…they said, ‘Never again.’” Mahamat told us that “They continue to speak to bring the voices of voiceless people who are stuck in Libya, and beyond the Mediterranean.”

A panel discussion moderated by JRS International Director Br Michael Schöpf then brought together Filippo Grandi, former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Dr Andreas Frick, General Director of Misereor, and Andre Atsu, JRS Regional Director for eastern and southern Africa.

Filippo Grandi’s intervention resonated strongly with participants. Reflecting on the meaning of protection, he noted that “saving lives is about giving opportunities, ensuring inclusion, helping people find motivation, promoting social cohesion through reconciliation, upholding rights, and addressing the climate-related causes of displacement. All of this, and much more, is what I would call protection.”

Dr Andreas Frick highlighted the significance of the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, warning that the international protection framework is facing growing challenges. As he stated, “The 1951 Refugee Convention is being challenged as perhaps never before. And yet it remains a precious document, one that upholds dignity and humanity even under immense political pressure. In today’s climate, it is hard to imagine achieving anything comparable, let alone anything stronger. That is precisely why we must defend it, firmly, clearly, and without compromise.”

Concluding the discussion, Andre Atsu reflected on JRS’s experience of accompanying displaced communities across eastern and southern Africa, despite the challenges created by funding cuts and their impact on refugee support programmes.

Official Launch of the JRS 2025 Annual Report

The event also provided an opportunity to present the JRS 2025 Annual Report and reflect on the impact of our work over the past year. We served 1,086,269 people through our projects worldwide, reaching women, men, children and families forced to flee their homes. As the needs of those we serve continue to grow, the unwavering commitment of the JRS community has enabled us to continue our mission despite unprecedented challenges.

Watch the recording of the event