YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia – The XI World Union of Jesuit Alumni Congress (WUJA XI) concluded by adopting two landmark documents—the Yogyakarta Manifesto and the Yogyakarta Resolution—which will serve as the common roadmap for the global Jesuit alumni movement in responding to today’s most pressing challenges. The documents were formally adopted during the closing plenary session at the Driyarkara Auditorium, Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta, on Sunday (August 2), under the guiding theme “United in Spirit, Leading with Purpose.”
The Manifesto and Resolution were presented by WUJA Vice President II George Pramandono and WUJA Permanent Invitee Adhi Anondo, accompanied by WUJA President Francisco Guarner, before delegates representing Jesuit educational institutions from every continent. Their adoption marked the culmination of the five-day congress, held from July 29 to August 2, 2026, which brought together Jesuit alumni from around the world to discern their shared mission for the future of the Church and society.
Following the adoption of the two documents, delegates participated in the Closing Eucharistic Celebration and Sending Forth Mass, presided over by Fr. Benedictus Hari Juliawan, S.J., Immediate Past Provincial of the Jesuits in Indonesia. The liturgy affirmed the Congress’ central message: participants were being sent back to their respective countries not merely as congress delegates, but as missionary companions committed to putting their shared commitments into action.
More Than an Organization: A Community on Mission
Rather than producing a simple list of organizational recommendations, WUJA XI concluded with a manifesto that redefines the identity of Jesuit alumni as a global community united by mission.
In its preamble, The Yogyakarta Manifesto acknowledges that the world is facing multiple and interconnected crises, including war, poverty, inequality, climate change, political polarization, religious intolerance, and the misuse of digital technologies that undermine trust and human fraternity. Amid these realities, the document renews the Ignatian call to become “contemplatives in action”—women and men who seek God in all things and make His love present through concrete service.
The Manifesto further affirms that Jesuit education has never been intended merely to produce successful professionals. Instead, it seeks to form women and men for and with others—people whose knowledge is guided by conscience and whose leadership is rooted in service.
United in Spirit, Leading with Purpose
Echoing the Congress theme, delegates proclaimed a shared vision founded on several core convictions.
They affirmed that every human person possesses inviolable dignity; diversity is a gift rather than a threat; dialogue is stronger than conflict; service is greater than power; leadership is a vocation to serve; authentic faith always bears the fruit of justice; and hope is stronger than fear.
Building on these convictions, the Manifesto commits Jesuit alumni to becoming “bridges, not walls.” It calls them to listen before speaking, become builders of peace and reconciliation, care for our common home, lead with humility, integrity, and compassion, stand alongside the poor and marginalized, and bear witness to Gospel values in politics, education, business, media, science, technology, and every sphere of public life.
The Resolution: A Roadmap for Global Collaboration
Complementing the Manifesto, delegates also adopted The Yogyakarta Resolution, outlining ten strategic commitments that will guide WUJA over the coming years.
The Resolution prioritizes strengthening the global Jesuit alumni network, empowering young alumni leaders, promoting peacebuilding and interreligious dialogue, advancing ecological responsibility inspired by Laudato Si’, fostering ethical leadership, expanding the digital mission, encouraging social innovation, promoting lifelong Ignatian formation, strengthening collaboration with the Society of Jesus, and encouraging every national and regional alumni association to develop measurable action plans ahead of the next World Union of Jesuit Alumni Congress.
The Resolution also introduces the Principle of Belonging and Participation, affirming that WUJA should become a community where people of every country, culture, language, generation, and faith tradition genuinely belong, grow together, and contribute their gifts in service.
Yogyakarta: The Beginning of a Mission
In its concluding declaration, the Congress states that today’s world does not simply need more organizations, but more communities that faithfully live the values they proclaim. It recognizes Yogyakarta as a place where diversity flourished in harmony, dialogue created fraternity, and authentic leadership was expressed through humble service.
The delegates also expressed their gratitude to the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, the Secretaries of the Society of Jesus, His Majesty Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwana X, Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, the organizing committee, volunteers, Jesuit institutions, partners, and all participants whose presence transformed the Congress into a genuine experience of global fraternity.
The Congress concluded with an invitation that captures the heart of the Yogyakarta Manifesto: Jesuit alumni throughout the world are called to move beyond nostalgia for their school years and embrace a spirituality of mission. As the document powerfully reminds its readers, “Gathering is not our destination. Mission is.”
Departing from Yogyakarta, participants return to their families, workplaces, communities, and local Churches not simply as attendees of an international congress, but as companions sent forth to become signs of hope in a wounded world.
United in Spirit. Leading with Purpose. Sent Forth to Transform the World.
