Rome, Italy

JRS launches new website

Placing refugees at the centre

After nearly 12 months of planning and work, JRS International announces the launch of its new website.

The new website presents the work of JRS worldwide and for the first time comprehensively highlights the plight of urban refugees with videos, photos, stories and news articles. Initially, it will be available in English, but over the next few months, the French, Italian and Spanish versions will come online. Moreover, the work of the 10 JRS regions will be presented in more detail, as will specific campaigns; for example, on Haiti, education and detention.

“We have chosen Refugee Day as symbolically the right time to launch the website. It is the one day when the eyes of the world are focused on the plight of forcibly displaced persons. The work of JRS puts the person first: doing with, rather doing for, is the heart of our mission. This website is designed to put refugees and their concerns at the centre of our public communications”, said JRS International Director, Fr Peter Balleis SJ, speaking from South Africa, where he is visiting the JRS projects for urban refugees in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Within the new website, a special place will be given to the voices of refugees and a new multimedia library. Core to the mission and values of JRS is to empower refugees and bring their voices to the forefront.

“It is often almost impossible to imagine the suffering of refugees in the most distant corners of the world. Millions of refugees and asylum seekers live this invisible and insecure existence. So-called survival migrants are forced to eke out an existence in difficult circumstances and to send money back home. This website seeks to bring their voices, joys and concerns, closer to you” added Fr Balleis SJ

For further information or interviews with key staff worldwide contact

James Stapleton, Communications Coordinator

Jesuit Refugee Service (Int. Office)

Tel: +39-06 68977468 Fax: +39-06 6897 7461

Email: international.communications@jrs.net; www.jrs.net