JWL provides equitable high quality tertiary learning to people and communities at the margins of societies - be it through poverty, location, lack of opportunity, conflict or forced displacement – so all can contribute their knowledge and voices to the global community of learners and together foster hope to create a more peaceful and humane world.
How can higher education make a difference in this world? How did Jesuit Worldwide Learning come to be? What does it take to make higher education at the margins a reality?
What struck us even more was how incredible it was that through access to higher education – and in this case online learning – that the voice of these students could now also be heard in the world. They were now able to influence the thinking of others as well as the education programme influencing them.
– Dr Mary McFarland, first Jesuit Worldwide Learning International Director, TedX Georgetown, 2013
The importance of higher education - our students' perspective
After I finished this course [Diploma in Liberal Studies], I had become more accepting and open-minded. I believe this course enabled me to respect and appreciate our differences. Our differences are what make us beautiful.
– Fowza, Amman, Jordan
It is important for me because I can play my role as a person who is always looking to make a change and contribute hope.
– Hakima, Afghanistan, on education and transfering knowledge to youth who do not have access to higher education.
We need to rebuild our society. It’s not just about buildings. We need to enhance ourselves – to educate – and I think I can help people to learn more, to be open to other cultures, to other societies’ traditions. This is the way we can rebuild our community.
– Noor, Bartella, Iraq
We must aspire to do more. To be more. We must see ourselves as part of a whole - a note in an orchestra, a heartbeat within an ever complex organism. And ask yourself: How are you using the little that you know to make a difference in the community you live in? How are you serving others? Think different. Be bold. And believe.
– Mohammad, Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya