Solidarity in practice: working with newcomers and learning about international migration

International migration is one of the major social issues of our time. In Europe, the debate on asylum, integration and solidarity often provokes strong opinions, but behind the figures and policy choices there are always human stories.

With the UCSIA Winter School on Solidarity and International Migration in Europe, UCSIA aims to give Master’s and PhD students the opportunity to approach this complex topic from both an academic and practical perspective.

Our Fellows: Makram Elabed and Rachid Adam

Two young researchers have recently joined UCSIA through the Fund Bruyns Scholarship and the Global South Fellowship: Makram Elabed, from Tunisia, and Rachid Adam, from Morocco. Both are spending this academic year in Antwerp, where they contribute to UCSIA’s projects and research networks connecting Europe and the Global South.

Our peace flag is flying at the Temple of Peace in Mechelen

Have you spotted the UCSIA peace flag at the Temple of Peace in Mechelen’s Botanical Garden?

The peace festival is an initiative of our fellow resident and partner Pax Christi Flanders and runs until Sunday, November 2, with a rich programme of lectures, theatre, music, film, and workshops.

In times of war and rearmament, we often forget that peace is something we build together – by engaging in open dialogue about what peace means today and how we can work towards it together.

Since June, Pax Christi has organized over fifty Peace Labs throughout Flanders and Brussels: creative meetings where people from all walks of life came together to reflect on peace. In schools, social organizations, prisons and associations, people drew, sewed and talked. Because to imagine peace, you first have to learn to name it – and that begins in dialogue, even with people who think differently.

The city as a laboratory: Erik De Bom on the UCSIA Solidarity Academy

In the latest issue of Tertio, our acting director Erik De Bom wrote an inspiring article about the social role of the UCSIA Solidarity Academy. He emphasises how the academy responds to the universal apostolic priorities of the Jesuits and focuses on solidarity as the foundation of society and ethics.

UCSIA coordinates new European project on service-learning and democratic competences

The University Centre Saint-Ignatius Antwerp (UCSIA) has secured a new Erasmus+ project in collaboration with eleven European universities and organizations.

The three-year project, entitled “Service-Learning to promote Competences for Democratic Culture” (SL4DC), aims to investigate how service-learning can strengthen democratic competences among students and actors in society.

The project will start on 1 November 2025 and end in October 2028.

UCSIA and Streven join forces

From September 2025, the Flemish online magazine Streven Vrijplaats and UCSIA vzw will join forces. UCSIA vzw has become the responsible publisher of Streven Vrijplaats.

Nothing will change for readers: the magazine will continue to exist online with its characteristic focus on critical, nuanced and carefully written contributions.