EVERYBODY'S CHALLENGE - Jesuit Refugee Service | USA

Guidelines of the JRS
Introductory notes
1. These Guidelines describe how the JRS Charter is to be implemented.
They were approved by Fr General Peter-Hans Kolvenbach
on 19 March, 2000. 1
2. JRS is an international Catholic organisation 2 with a mission
to accompany, serve and defend the rights of refugees and forcibly
displaced people. JRS facilitates involvement by individuals and
communities, and promotes regional and global cooperation and
networking on behalf of refugees. JRS offers services at regional and
national levels, supported by an international centre in Rome.
3. These Guidelines are intended to clarify the organisational
framework of JRS, its strategies and methods of work. They are
designed to help everyone involved to know their roles and tasks.
A. JRS methods and strategies
Choice of activities and style of service of JRS
4. When selecting projects, JRS uses criteria found in Part Vll of the
Jesuit Constitutions, for choosing ministries that match the overall
Jesuit mission. 3 JRS opts to work in situations of great need, in places
where a more universal good may be served, where people's needs
are not being met by others, and where it has a special contribution
to make. JRS works where it is likely to be effective by reason of
previous experience, or because JRS or the wider Society or a partner
agency has already established a base, or because a JRS initiative
could help mobilise others. More detailed criteria and procedures
are drawn from experience and are documented in manuals.
1) These Guidelines replace the former JRS Guidelines approved by Father General
in 1987.
2) On 19 March 2000, JRS was given a juridic personality as a pious, autonomous
foundation in accord with Canon Law, and recognised by the Vatican.
3) Jesuit Constitutions [no. 622, no. 623]; Cf. GC 34, 1995, Decree 6, no. 168
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