Welcome to JRS

The Jesuit Refugee Service was established on 14 November 1980 by Pedro Arrupe, then Superior General of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), as an international Catholic organization in order to mobilise the whole Society in the accompaniment, service and defence of the rights of refugees. A director for JRS Asia Pacific was appointed in 1982 and commenced work in Australia from the office of Asian Bureau Australia. When JRS Asia Pacific moved its base to Bangkok in 1985, JRS Australia was initiated by the Australian Jesuits as a new unit of the growing international network of the Society's service to refugees. While JRS Australia sets its own priorities based on local needs and capacities, it calls on the experience, local knowledge and the research and advocacy capacities of the worldwide Jesuit Refugee Service network. Jesuit Refugee Service Australia is a part of the Australian Jesuits' social apostolate network, through which Jesuits together with their colleagues ‘promote justice (through) direct service and accompaniment of the poor; developing awareness of the demands of justice and of the responsibility to achieve it; and social mobilization for a more just social order'. Within the Australian Province, JRS Australia networks with and calls on all our communities and ministries in order to encourage and set up cooperative actions in service for refugees both in Australia and in response to needs abroad. JRS Australia relies on the support and cooperation of Jesuit Social Services, and it also works closely with Jesuit Mission in supporting JRS programs internationally. JRS Australia initiates and develops services to refugees and displaced persons in collaboration with the international JRS network and with all individuals, communities, other Church bodies and secular organisations who seek justice for forcibly displaced persons. JRS Australia has a focus on asylum seekers and people undergoing refugee status determination. JRS Australia's current projects concern asylum seekers both in detention and in the community. JRS Australia researches the needs of displaced persons in Australia and neighbouring countries, engages in public education based on its experience and research, and advocates for the rights of forcibly displaced persons to the Australian Government and other relevant bodies. JRS Australia has a strong tradition of recruiting, training and supporting workers in field placements in Australia and with JRS overseas. The Australian Jesuit Province affirms and supports the service that JRS Australia offers, and joins with it in calling for a just and human response to refugees and asylum seekers both in our country and around the world. Mark Raper SJ Provincial