Jesuit Refugee Service Asia PacificStrategic Framework 2013-2015

“Wonderful” was a word frequently overheard in the presence of Fr. Pierre Ceyrac SJ, a pioneer of Jesuit Refugee Service, during his time with

the Indochinese refugees at the Thai-Cambodian border.

In the early eighties, Fr. Ceyrac responded to the call of Fr. Pedro Arrupe, the Superior General of the Jesuits, “to bring at least some relief to such a tragic situation” of displacement. Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) was born in 1980 out of Arrupe’s compassion and hope for a solution.

The Cambodian and Vietnamese refugees were casualties of a divisive ideology that propagated a cycle of war, violence, and displacement. Fr. Ceyrac’s accompaniment lent the refugees optimism and support during a desperate moment in their lives. “Apart from wanting people to be happy, I want nothing else from life, God”, Ceyrac was known to quote

theTamil poet Thayumandvar. Today this quote continues to inspire our work with the 10.6 million people forcibly displaced by conflict and natural disasters in the Asia Pacific region.

In 2012, challenges and new opportunities abound: especially because of the increasing numbers of urban refugees and asylum seekers who are resorting to dangerous journeys by boat to find safety. National security concerns too often trump human solidarity, leaving refugees to face harsh national policies.

Meanwhile, Myanmar’s steps since 2010 to correct a badly scarred human rights record bring welcome, and much needed, change. New developments plant seeds of hope for return in the hearts of Burmese populations scattered throughout the region, yet refugees in the camps are struggling as the international humanitarian gaze shifts towards inside the country.

While there is a need to welcome government reforms, repatriation should only take place when people can be supported and protected in Myanmar, and the process must be based on voluntariness and respect for human dignity. Other root causes of displacement are of a more sudden and unpredictable nature. In 2011, flash floods claimed up to 500 lives in the Southern Philippines, and affected Thailand and Cambodia with torrential rains and mudslides. Part of JRS’ mission is to be able to respond rapidly with a presence on the ground.

For the past thirty years, the involvement of JRS Asia Pacific with displaced persons has yielded rich stories of service, accompaniment, and advocacy. Our dream is to spread optimism and advance towards a world where boundaries and division cease to exist. We wish to walk alongside people surviving on the margins

Introduction: Our vision for JRS Asia Pacific

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ContentsIntroduction 3Our vision for Asia Pacific

Mission & Values 5 Goal 1 8Compassion for humanity on the edge

Goal 2 12Rooted in faith, acting in justice

Goal 3 16Kindling hope through service

Goal 4 21A stronger, more united JRS

of humanity, exclaiming together, “Wonderful!” even in difficult moments.

The diversity of cultures and countries in the region requires that JRS Asia Pacific nurtures adaptability to respond to emerging needs. While focusing on the most vulnerable, we aim to assist forcibly displaced persons with values of compassion, service, and accompaniment.

JRS Asia Pacific strives to enhance regional collaboration to advocate for the rights and protection of refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers.

Our goal is to impart self-reliance, freedom, and hope based on our openness to learn from the refugees while sharing our knowledge and experience as a a global organisation.

The upcoming years 2013- 2015 provide JRS Asia Pacific with a fresh opportunity to unite in strength,

awareness of our task, and the commitment to face the challenges ahead with courage.

Fr. Bambang A. Sipayung SJ,Asia Pacific Regional DirectorJesuit Refugee Service

What is a refugee? Following Catholic social teaching, JRS understands the term ‘refugee’ to include not only persons persecuted because of race, religion, membership in social or political groups, but also internally displaced persons and ‘de facto refugees’ who are driven from their homes by armed conflict, erroneous economic policy or natural disasters.

Mission The mission of the Jesuit Refugee Service is to accompany, serve and advocate for the rights of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons.

As a Catholic organisation and a work of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), JRS is inspired by the compassion and love of Jesus for the poor and excluded.

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Values The JRS mission is built on our faith in God who is present in human history, even in its most tragic moments. We are inspired by this faith and by core values that inform all the work we do.

Compassion Compassion impels us to work to alleviate the suffering of our fellow beings. JRS sees its service as a call to love, to treat others with equity and respect, as we ourselves wish to be treated.

Hope JRS aims to give hope to refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. We provide a spiritual and practical response to their plight.

Dignity JRS believes in the intrinsic dignity of every person. We work with refugees and other displaced persons regardless of race, gender, religion or politics.

Solidarity JRS is a work of the Society of Jesus, carrying out the Society’s mission of faith and justice through humble and respectful service in solidarity with refugees from diverse cultures, nationalities and religions.

Hospitality JRS aspires to be hospitality in action. We walk alongside, accompany and offer hospitality to the most vulnerable, those “at the frontiers of humanity”, giving priority to situations of great need, in places where a more universal good may be achieved, and to needs to which others are not attending.

Justice JRS is committed to a justice that empowers refugees to become “people with a voice of their own”, working together with them to challenge systems that deny human rights.

Participation JRS upholds the principle of subsidiarity, endeavouring to be openly accountable for its work and transparent in its decision-making. We work in partnership with other religious congregations, humanitarian organisations and with refugees themselves, encouraging co-responsibility, discernment and participative decision-making.

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Compassion for humanity on the edge

GOAL 1:

Moved by compassion and respect for human dignity, we will be flexible and focused in our response to the new emerging situations of forced displacement.

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Results2013The Regional Office, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including the International Office and Asia Pacific Country Offices, Jesuit network and community- based organisations, will have conducted an assessment in Myanmar to determine the most effective presence for JRS in Myanmar.

The task force will have shared relevant information and best

practices with country teams to help displaced Myanmar populations prepare for return.

Options for establishing a presence in Malaysia to accompany and monitor the asylum seeker population will have been evaluated.

2014 The Regional Office, in coordination with JRS Country Offices, will have developed a contingency

plan, including criteria for response with the JRS International Rapid Response Team.

2015JRS Asia Pacific will have assessed and responded rapidly and appropriately to fast onset emergencies in the region, according to established guidelines.

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New hope for Myanmar

In the light of political changes in Myanmar, we will adopt a three- pronged approach of action: support the country offices working in camps to prepare for repatriation and reconciliation, initiate a base inside Myanmar in collaboration with local partners and set up a task force for durable solutions.

StrategiesResponding to refugee flows

The Asia Pacific Regional Office will liaise with the Country Offices to determine how best to respond to emerging needs related to refugee flows, such as boat people and stateless populations.

We will coordinate the response to emergencies due to conflict and natural disasters with Country Offices in the Asia Pacific Region within our capacity, mission, and need. Criteria for response will be established based on regional guidelines and in collaboration with the JRS International Rapid Response Team.

Protecting the most vulnerable

The Asia Pacific Regional Advocacy and Communications Office will gather existing information from and disseminate to the Country Offices on human trafficking networks and organisations in the region.

JRS Asia Pacific will collaborate with other organisations working to protect those most vulnerable to exploitation, including displaced people at risk of being trafficked.

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Rooted in faith, acting in justice

GOAL 2:

Inspired by faith and the values of inclusiveness and solidarity, we will seek to under-stand and address the causes of structural inequality. We will work in partnership with others to create communities of justice, dialogue, peace and reconciliation.

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Results

2013 JRS Asia Pacific will have developed an annual work-plan identifying common positions on at least two issues. The first annual meeting on regional collaboration will have been held.

Task-forces around priority concerns will be operationalised with effective use of regional skills and resources. A mapping document of existing and potential

partners for JRS Asia Pacific will be circulated amongst country offices.The capacity for networking at the regional level will be strengthened.

Across the region at least one partnership with a university will have been developed, including research on a mutual area of concern. JRS Country Directors will have identified key areas for staff trainings on refugee protection.

2014 At least one capacity-building training will have been conducted or facilitated by JRS, with plans in place for a follow-up training.

2015The expansion of partnerships will have improved our services to displaced persons. A robust monitoring and evaluation mechanism will be in place to measure results.

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Strategies

Regional Framework for collaboration

JRS Asia Pacific Country Directors, in partnership with the Regional Director and Regional Advocacy Officer, will develop an annual regional plan for collaboration on joint JRS AP advocacy and communications. We will organise an annual regional collaboration meeting for review of work-plans, monitor progress, and exchange knowledge.

At least two task-forces will be set up to respond to priority areas reflecting the greatest needs, such as in regional protection and repatriation.

Strengthening partnerships and networks

Partners and potential opportunities for collaboration will be identified. Internal expertise will help to share best practices and resources across borders. We will conduct a mapping exercise at country level to identify external stakeholders, including academics, service providers and faith communities.

Improving research

Evidence-based research, through cooperation with other organisations, will better inform our advocacy and programme development.

Building capacity

JRS Asia Pacific will strengthen protection by building the capacity of JRS staff and civil society service providers in the region to respond.

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Kindling hope through service

GOAL 3: Based on our belief in the dignity and interdependence of the human family, we will empower uprooted people through our programmes and services, fostering a future filled with hope.

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Strategies

Hope through learning

JRS Asia Pacific will strengthen our learning and education programmes with a focus on the most vulnerable peoples, inspiring in them a hope for a better future. We will employ an holistic approach, respecting and developing students’ cultural values and character.

Strengthening programme management and information flows

Systematic monitoring and evaluation, and timely exit planning, will strengthen our project management.

Building technical expertise

Regional expertise in specific programme areas, including protection and legal services, livelihoods, education, peace and reconciliation will be built upon.

Promoting cross-regional collaboration

Relationships and collaborative links between JRS services and the work of the Society of Jesus in the region will grow.

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Results

2013JRS Asia Pacific will have allocated resources to staff capacity-building, under the Programmes budget line for Organisational Capacity Support.

Proposals and reports will have been reviewed by programmes, advocacy, and finance teams. All project proposals will include advocacy objectives, with indicators and a budget line.

Relevant programme information, data, tools and methodologies will have been identified, collected, and categorised by the Country Offices.

IMutual learning opportunities have been identified and best practices shared within JRS by at least one exchange visit.

An assessment of the need and feasibility of establishing education services for displaced and returnee communities in Myanmar will have been conducted.

An evaluation of JRS in the Philippines will have determined the future direction of their programme.

A programme transitionstrategy will have been agreed upon for JRS Timor Leste with the Society of Jesus.

2014A Regional programme handbook, including programme description and commonalities, will have been developed.

A regional training workshop on

Project Cycle Management and JRS Programming guidelines will have been carried out.

The Regional Programmes Officer will have shared best practices, lessons learned, and exit strategies through meetings and emails with Country Offices and Project Offices.

One or two cross-country visits on Protection and Legal services (refugees/AS and IDPs) or Peace and Reconciliation will have been carried out.

Collaboration in at least one area will have been established between JRS and the Society of Jesus. The presence of the Society of Jesus in JRS Asia Pacific will have been strengthened.

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Results

2015Cross-country visits will have taken place on an annual basis.

Regional cooperation with the Society of Jesus on education will have been put in place. JRS Asia Pacific will have established a programme with JC-HEM in the region.

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A stronger, more united JRS

GOAL 4:

Firmly rooted in the values of subsidiarity and participation, we will develop and apply coherent standards in governance and management, so that we work with and for forcibly displaced persons, in international unity, with transparency and accountability.

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Strategies

Financial sustainability

The JRS International Fundraising Officer, together with the Regional Office, will develop a regional fundraising strategy to consolidate existing fundraising work at the regional level.

Application of programme and financial policies and tools

Consistent application of systems, policies, and protocols will advance programme and financial management. The Regional Office will facilitate sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and exit strategies across the region.

Human resources

JRS Asia Pacific will carry out a review of its human resources and strengthen practices as required. We will ensure coherency and transparency in our systems and the standardisation of staff remuneration across the region with regard to salary scale and staff benefits.

Respecting mutuality and subsidiarity

Based on our respect for the principle of subsidiarity, JRS Asia Pacific will work to ensure excellent communications with local Jesuit institutions at all levels.

Strengthening management structures

The Regional Director in coordination with the Country Directors will clarify the organisational structures between the Regional Office and each Country Office in line with JRS internal norms and guidelines on accountability.

Strengthening organisational communications

JRS Asia Pacific will make fuller use of existing JRS information management systems, such as the Pedro Arrupe System.

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Results

2013 The Pedro Arrupe System will be accessible at Country Office level.

The Regional Office will have developed a fundraising strategy coordinated with that of the International Office.

Transparency and communication on financial planning and management will have improved between Regional Office, Country Office, and projects.

The Regional Office, and all Country Offices with a significant number of staff, will have a Human Resources Officer in place, supported by the JRS International Human Resources Coordinator.

Management structures, roles, and responsibilities of the Regional Office and Country Offices will have been clarified and defined.

The Regional Director and Country Directors will have established a structure of annual meetings.

2014 In collaboration with the International Office, staff capacity for fundraising will have been built in the Regional Office.

More coherent and transparent staff remuneration will have been achieved and staff surveys will have indicated increased staff satisfaction.

JRS Asia Pacific staff recruitment policy will have been clarified by Regional Office and Country Office Human Resource Officers in collaboration with other regions to include:

a. International staffb. National/local staffc. Religious staff d. Volunteers

A midterm review and monitoring of progress of the Asia Pacific Strategic Framework 2013-2015 will have been carried out at the annual Country Directors meeting.

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Results

2015The Pedro Arrupe System will be accessible to all JRS Asia Pacific staff.

A coherent fundraising system and mechanism will be functioning successfully in the Regional Office and our funding base will have expanded and diversified, particularly with private individuals and foundations.

JRS Asia Pacific will have tapped into and maximised local funding sources in the region.

Continuous training and follow-up on implementation of systems, policies, and protocols will have been provided by the International Office and Regional Office.

A successful system for storage and sharing will have been established.

Communication and collaboration with Jesuits and Jesuit institutions and church networks at all levels of the Asia Pacific Region will have grown substantially.

A task team will have established to organise the planning of the new Asia Pacific Strategic Framework for the upcoming years 2016-2019.

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www.jrsap.org

Jesuit Refugee Service Asia Pacific43 Soi Rachwithi 12, Victory Monument, Phayathai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

Tel: +66-2-2784182, 6409590Fax: +66-2-2713632Email: asiapacificrao@jrs.or.th

Photo credits: JRS photos by Don Doll SJ, Damrong Cheenmuang, Louie Bacomo, Oliver White, Bea Moraras, Dana MacLean and JRS teams in Timor-Leste, Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia.