From July 8 to July 10, 2022, student advocates gathered at Jesuit Refugee Service/USA’s national office for the first in-person JRS Student Leader Summit. Representing various schools and universities across the United States, the participating students shared ideas on how to organize JRS Action Teams and advocate on their campus for refugees and forcibly displaced persons.  

During the 3-day gathering, students heard from speakers across the JRS network who presented on topics such as legislative advocacy, awareness raising campaigns, and how to be an effective advocate.  

“The JRS Student Leader Summit was an energizing experience filled with great conversations, a lot of learning, and concrete plans identified to carry out the mission of promoting justice for refugees and migrants,” said Yasmine Jakmouj, a 2021 graduate of Creighton University. “[I] would highly recommend for all students of Jesuit institutions who care about this critical issue!”  

The gathering also provided students with networking opportunities as they consider ways to grow and sustain their advocacy efforts. “The Summit allows students who care about refugees and displaced people to expand their advocacy networks beyond their campuses to collaborate as a new generation of leaders who demand change to our refugee and immigration laws,” said Chris Belden, an undergraduate student at Manhattan College.  

For more information on how to start a JRS Action Team at your school or in your community, please visit our Take Action page or contact outreach@jrsusa.org.