A Global Ignatian Advocacy Network

Who are we

From left to right: David Solomon SJ (Ranchi, India); Cecilia Calvo (Ecojesuit); Martin van Nierop (GES, South Africa); Alicia Aleman (ALBOAN); Meyatzin Velasco (Centro Pro-DH, México); Charles Chilufya SJ (JESAM); Guillermo Otano (ALBOAN); Julie Edwards (Jesuit Social Services, Australia); Xavier Jeyarat SJ (SJES).

The Justice in Mining Network is one of four Global Ignatian Advocacy Networks (GIAN) set up by the Society of Jesus, a religious order within the Catholic church whose members are known as Jesuits. These global advocacy networks were established following General Congregation 35 (a gathering of Jesuits from all over the world) in 2008, when a new emphasis was placed on the reality that the Society of Jesus is ‘one body with a universal mission’.

Many member organisations of our network work side by side with individuals and communities that suffer the negative impacts of mining in the places of extraction, some of which are located in conflict or high risk areas. Through our advocacy we want to voice their concerns and tackle not only the consequences, but the root causes of the problems posed by mining.

Our Mission

During the last ten years, the member organisations of  Justice in Mining have been accompanying and serving communities affected by mining with three different purposes:

  • We aim to ensure that decision processes respect the voices and human rights of those most affected by mining projects, preventing and addressing its potential negative impacts on health, livelihoods and ecosystems.
  • We speak out against unethical behaviour by companies and governments and ask for the end of the impunity of those extractive industries that commit socio-environmental crimes, demanding corporate accountability, full compensation for victims and complete environmental remediation.
  • We advocate for responsible business practices, through both citizens’ awareness and responsible consumption and through demanding strong corporate regulations.
Thematic Priorities

 The Strategic Global Plan 2019-2023 prioritises the following topics: 

  1. Stopping criminalisation of human right defenders and environmental activists
  2. Promoting strong business regulations and speaking out against the unethical behaviour of companies and governments involved in mining conflicts
  3. Opening a public conversation about the social impacts and the environmental degradation produced by mining (specially, regarding the use of water), connecting these issues with our everyday lifestyles
Where We Are

From left to right: Meyatzin Velasco (Centro Pro-DH, México); Cecilia Calvo (Ecojesuit); Guillermo Otano (ALBOAN); Julie Edwards (Jesuit Social Services, Australia); Xavier Jeyarat SJ (SJES); Alicia Aleman (ALBOAN) and David Solomon SJ (Ranchi, India)

The Jesuit community is divided geographically into six regions or Conferences. Representatives of each Jesuit Conference have been working together to consider how the Jesuit community can best contribute in advocating around extractives projects and their impact on local communities and the wider environment. Those representatives, comprising the Core Group leading the Justice in Mining Network, are:

Conferencia Jesuitas de América Latina (CPAL) 
Pedro Landa (Eric-Radio Progreso, Honduras)

Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (CEP)
Guillermo Otano (ALBOAN, Spain)

Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP)
Julie Edwards (Jesuit Social Services, Australia)

Jesuit Conference of South-Asia (JCSA)
David Solomon SJ (Ranchi, India)

Jesuit Conference of Canada and the USA (JCCUS)
Jenny Cafiso (Canadian Jesuits International, Canadá)
Fernando Serrano (Saint Louis University, EEUU)

Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network of Africa  (JENA)
Martin Van Nierop (GES, South Africa)

Each core group member is responsible for coordinating communication with the rest of organizations and social networks in their regions in order to promote join actions and increase the Network’s impact. The core group is currently leaded by ALBOAN, a jesuit organisation for international cooperation located in the European Conference.

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